S.W.O.R.D. (comics)

S.W.O.R.D. (an acronym for Sentient World Observation and Response Department) is a fictional counterterrorism and intelligence agency in the Marvel Universe which deals with extraterrestrial threats to world security.

History

The group was first introduced in Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 #6 by Joss Whedon. S.W.O.R.D. is a counterpart of the better known S.H.I.E.L.D. but since the departure of Nick Fury as director of S.H.I.E.L.D., relations between the two organizations have become strained. The head of S.W.O.R.D is Special Agent Abigail Brand. Its primary command-and-control HQ is aboard the orbital space station known as the Peak.

S.W.O.R.D. had an undercover operative in the X-Mansion. In Astonishing X-men #17 the identity of this undercover operative was revealed as Lockheed.

Unstoppable

The Astonishing X-Men, Hisako Ichiki, Ord of the Breakworld and Danger are taken to deep space by S.W.O.R.D. and Agent Abigail Brand. S.W.O.R.D. psychics are unable to detect Cassandra Nova in Emma Frost's shattered psyche. Though emotionally wounded, Emma recovers fast enough to be present for the team's departure to the Breakworld, where they aim to disable a missile aimed at earth. Before they reach Breakwold, they are attacked by enemy vessels. After creating a diversion, the X-Men and Agent Brand land on the planet, where Agent Deems is being tortured in prison.

Brand, Cyclops, Emma Frost and Beast land together while Wolverine, Hisako, Colossus and Kitty Pryde land elsewhere. Wolverine's spacecraft disintegrates in mid air and they are forced to abandon the ship. Kitty and Colossus phase through the pod to the planet's surface, where they land unharmed. Hisako and Wolverine land with the impact burning Wolverine's skin.

Another team composed of Lockheed, Sydren and S.W.O.R.D. troops converge upon a place called "the Palace of the Corpse" which supposedly is connected to the prophecy stating that Colossus will destroy the planet.

Agent Brand finally informs Kitty that Lockheed is working for S.W.O.R.D. as their undercover agent.

Secret Invasion

S.W.O.R.D.'s headquarters, The Peak, is destroyed by a Skrull infiltrator posing as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Dum Dum Dugan, during the Secret Invasion crossover storyline. Many agents die in the initial explosion, though others survive due to hostile-enviornment suits. Brand, encased in one of the suits, manages to make her way into one of the Skrull ships.

See also

• List of government agencies in comics

References