Amid the expanding array of films and television series delving into the intricate continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), nearly every character integral to the broader lore has had their narratives explored and expounded upon—everyone, that is, except Agent Mark Smith. Well, in a way. Agent Smith is a character solely existing within an MCU prelude comic, having never graced the big or small screen. Nevertheless, Agent Mark Smith emerges as a figure of utmost significance in the annals of the established MCU, despite the fact that a considerable number of fans remain unfamiliar with his existence.
One of the pivotal epochs in the MCU unfolds between the events chronicled in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” It was during this interim that S.H.I.E.L.D. met its downfall, and Hydra seized control of the Mind Stone, which was then harbored within Loki’s scepter.
The repercussions of the events transpiring during this critical period are profound, reshaping the entire landscape of the MCU. Without these unfolding developments, the roster of characters would be vastly different, antagonists might not have ascended, and pivotal events might never have come to pass. This transformative period owes its significance to the clandestine actions of Agent Mark Smith.
Agent Mark Smith: The Delivery of Loki’s Scepter to Hydra
Within the narrative of “Avengers: Age of Ultron Prelude – The Scepter’d Isle” penned by Will Corona Pilgrim and brought to life by Wellinton Alves, readers are acquainted with the two SHIELD laboratory technicians tasked with scrutinizing Loki’s scepter. This artifact came into SHIELD’s possession following the events of the initial Avengers film. Amid this exploration, one of the technicians, Agent Mark Smith, vocalized his dissatisfaction with his current role. Evidently, Smith had formerly served as a field agent but was reassigned after what he deemed an unjust psychological evaluation. Presently confined to the laboratory, tasked with overseeing potentially valuable artifacts, Smith found himself in a state of profound discontent.
Unbeknownst to Smith, his grievances reached the ears of an undercover Hydra agent, given that SHIELD had become thoroughly infiltrated by Hydra spies during this juncture in the MCU’s chronology. This operative then facilitated an introduction between Smith and Baron Strucker, Hydra’s principal scientific authority and current commander. In their interaction, Strucker successfully persuaded Smith to defect to Hydra, assuring him a return to field operations. Agent Smith, enticed by the prospect, accepted Strucker’s offer, embarking on his first mission: the delivery of Loki’s scepter—a task he executed with apparent enthusiasm.
Agent Mark Smith’s Pivotal Role in Shaping the Current MCU Era
The pivotal moment when Loki’s scepter fell into the hands of Hydra marked a significant turning point in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Baron Strucker, wielding the scepter, conducted scientific experiments on human subjects, ultimately giving rise to the formidable siblings Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. The later-revealed connection in the series “WandaVision” underscored the Mind Stone’s role in unlocking Wanda’s innate magical potential. This sequence of events set the stage for the dramatic confrontation at the Hydra base depicted in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” thereby initiating the narrative arc that led to the creation of Ultron and Vision.
Agent Smith’s betrayal of SHIELD, culminating in the delivery of the Mind Stone to Hydra, played a pivotal role in the MCU’s unfolding story. Had Agent Smith not taken this decisive step, Quicksilver and, more significantly, Scarlet Witch would never have come into existence. Wanda’s pivotal role in instigating the Avengers’ fear, as revealed in “WandaVision,” influenced Tony Stark’s hastened creation of Ultron. The absence of Ultron’s creation, in turn, would have a cascading effect, precluding the emergence of Vision.
The consequences ripple further, extending to the pivotal Battle of Sokovia. Without Agent Mark Smith’s actions, Ultron’s creation and subsequent destruction of Sokovia would not have transpired. Consequently, the entire trajectory of events leading to Baron Zemo’s emergence as a villain, catalyzed by the disintegration of the Avengers in the aftermath of Sokovia, would be nullified.
In the absence of Agent Mark Smith’s pivotal role, the MCU would witness a vastly different narrative, excluding critical events such as Ultron’s creation, Sokovia’s destruction, Zemo’s antagonistic arc, Scarlet Witch’s exploration of the multiverse, and even Spectrum’s acquisition of powers, given the fundamental alteration in Scarlet Witch’s existence.