Phil Coulson

{{short description|Fictional character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe}}

{{Infobox character

| name = Phil Coulson

| franchise = Marvel Cinematic Universe

| image = Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson.jpg

| caption = Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson in the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

| first = Iron Man (2008)

| creator = {{ubl|Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby|Art Marcum and Matt Holloway}}

| portrayer = Clark Gregg

| full_name = Phillip J. Coulson{{Cite web |last=McLevy |first=Alex |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fifth season ends with a moving goodbye |url=https://www.avclub.com/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s-fifth-season-ends-with-a-moving-1826121879 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522010223/https://www.avclub.com/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s-fifth-season-ends-with-a-moving-1826121879 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club}}

| significant_others = {{ubl|Audrey Nathan|Rosalind Price|Melinda May}}

| species = Human
Life Model Decoy

| title = Ghost Rider

| occupation = {{ubl|S.H.I.E.L.D. agent|S.H.I.E.L.D. director}}

| affiliation = S.H.I.E.L.D.

| nationality = American

| last_minor = What We're Fighting For

| last_major = Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

| last_date = (2020)

}}

Agent Phillip J. "Phil" Coulson ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|oʊ|l|s|ən}} {{Respell|KOHL|sən}}) is a fictional character portrayed and voiced by Clark Gregg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Coulson is depicted as a high-ranking member of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and longtime partner of Nick Fury.

During an attack on a S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier, Coulson is stabbed through the heart by Loki and the Avengers form to avenge his death. Fury later has Coulson resurrected with Kree blood to continue serving S.H.I.E.L.D., putting together a small team of agents supervised by Melinda May and coming to view one agent, Daisy Johnson, as a surrogate daughter. After rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D. following its infiltration and destruction by Hydra, saving the planet, and making a deal with a demon to briefly become Ghost Rider, Coulson retires to Tahiti with May, where he dies once again.

Following the destruction of Sarge, a biological duplicate of Coulson created by a monolith and inhabited by the Inca god Pachakutiq, a Life Model Decoy (L.M.D.) of Coulson is made from a copy of his consciousness saved to a virtual reality, and Sarge's and May's genetic memories, resurrecting him again. After preventing an alternate timeline from being conquered by Chronicoms, Coulson decides to travel the world in his flying car, Lola.

Coulson was a central figure in the "Infinity Saga", appearing in five films, two television series, one digital series, and two Marvel One-Shots, most notably in The Avengers (2012) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020). Several versions of Coulson from within the MCU multiverse also appear, notably in the live-action series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the animated series What If...? (2021), with Gregg reprising the role.

Coulson has additionally appeared in several forms of non-MCU media, being integrated into the mainstream Marvel Universe, initially modelled after Gregg and depicted as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and supporting character of Deadpool, before being redeveloped as a supervillain servant of the demon Mephisto and commander of the Squadron Supreme of America following his death and resurrection, and the main antagonist of "Heroes Reborn".

Marvel Cinematic Universe

= Early life at S.H.I.E.L.D. =

Phillip Coulson was born to Robert and Julie Coulson, and grew up idolizing World War II heroes Captain America and Agent Peggy Carter. He joins the intelligence agency in which Carter founded, S.H.I.E.L.D., working under Nick Fury and alongside fellow agents John Garrett and Melinda May.

In 1995, Coulson accompanies Fury to investigate a woman who destroyed a Blockbuster Video store. While investigating inside the store, a shape-shifting Skrull imitates Coulson and falls victim to Fury after the real Coulson calls him wondering where everyone went. Coulson later accompanies S.H.I.E.L.D. in bringing Fury and the woman, but allows them to escape, trusting Fury. He later debriefs with Fury, who goes on to form the Avengers Initiative in response to his escapade.

Sometime after, Coulson becomes in charge of Project T.A.H.I.T.I., designed to revive a fallen Avenger with the blood of a decaying blue alien. He shuts the project down after its participants begin going mad and carving mysterious symbols.

= Forming the Avengers and first death =

{{further|Iron Man (2008 film)|label1=Iron Man|Iron Man 2|Thor (film)|label3=Thor|The Consultant (film)|label4=The Consultant|The Avengers (2012 film)|label5=The Avengers}}

In 2008, Coulson debriefs Tony Stark on his captivity in Afghanistan. He is also one of several agents who accompanies Pepper Potts in an attempt to arrest Obadiah Stane once his criminal activities are revealed. He later acts as the S.H.I.E.L.D. representative at Stark's press conference where he announces himself as Iron Man.

In 2010, Coulson is put in charge of supervising a drunk Stark, before being informed by Fury of an unidentified item found in New Mexico. He travels to the desert and finds a hammer. He then seizes Jane Foster's equipment to study the hammer, and later meets Thor, who claims to own the hammer despite not being able to pick it up. After Thor uses the hammer to destroy the Destroyer, an automaton, Coulson befriends him and agrees to give Foster back her equipment.

Sometime later, Coulson and Jasper Sitwell attempt to stop the World Security Council from gaining access to the Abomination, sending Stark to annoy General Ross who held the Abomination in custody. Coulson also assists in reviving Steve Rogers after his body is found preserved in ice, 70 years after his presumed death.

In 2012, Thor's brother Loki wages war against S.H.I.E.L.D., with Fury assembling his team of Avengers. Coulson recruits Natasha Romanoff and Stark, and meets Rogers, his idol. Loki is later captured by the Avengers, but escapes after a brainwashed Clint Barton frees him, almost destroying a Helicarrier in the process. During Loki's escape, Coulson threatens him with a gun (made from the body of the Destroyer), being fatally stabbed and wounded by Loki's scepter. Coulson's death unites the Avengers, which inspires them to defeat Loki and his army of Chitauri.

= Resurrection through Project T.A.H.I.T.I. =

After his death, Fury uses the disbanded Project T.A.H.I.T.I. to revive Coulson. Coulson's brain is altered, being led to believe he was sent to Tahiti for rehabilitation. Following his resurrection, Coulson puts together a team of agents to travel the world and deal with strange missions.{{Cite episode |title=Pilot |episode-link=Pilot (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=September 24, 2013 |season=1 |number=1}} This team included Melinda May, Daisy Johnson, Grant Ward, Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons.

During this time, Coulson becomes aware of Project T.A.H.I.T.I., finding out that he was revived using GH-325, a drug derived from an ancient Kree corpse that Peggy Carter previously recovered.{{Cite episode |title=Nothing Personal |episode-link=Nothing Personal (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=April 29, 2014 |season=1 |number=20}}{{Cite episode |title=Beginning of the End |episode-link=Beginning of the End (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 13, 2014 |season=1 |number=22}} Later, the terrorist organisation Hydra is revealed to have infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., leading to its demise and the murder of Fury.{{Cite episode |title=Turn, Turn, Turn |episode-link=Turn, Turn, Turn (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=April 8, 2014 |season=1 |number=17}} After Ward and John Garrett are revealed as Hydra agents, Coulson and his team work to stop them, eventually defeating them with the help of Fury, who had faked his death. Fury makes Coulson the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and tasks him with rebuilding the agency.

= Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and second death =

{{further|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 2|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3|label2=season 3|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4|label3=season 4|Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 5|label4=season 5}}

Coulson's involvement with alien materials leads to a faction of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents led by Robert Gonzalez, who distrust secrets and superhumans attempting to take over the fledgling organization, but Coulson convinces them to let him stay on as director after helping save hundreds of civilians.{{Cite episode |title=The Dirty Half Dozen |episode-link=The Dirty Half Dozen |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=April 28, 2015 |season=2 |number=19}} Together, they defeat a faction of Inhumans, though Coulson loses a hand in the process.{{Cite episode |title=S.O.S. Part 2 |episode-link=S.O.S. (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 12, 2015 |season=2 |number=22}} Coulson later becomes romantically involved with Rosalind Price, the leader of an anti-Inhuman government task-force called the Advanced Threat Containment Unit (ATCU),{{Cite episode |title=Chaos Theory |episode-link=Chaos Theory (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=November 10, 2015 |season=3 |number=7}} until her death at the hands of Grant Ward, a Hydra agent who formerly worked with Coulson.{{Cite episode |title=Closure |episode-link=Closure (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=December 1, 2015 |season=3 |number=9}} Coulson gets revenge by crushing Ward's chest with his prosthetic hand.{{Cite episode |title=Maveth |episode-link=Maveth |series=Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=December 8, 2015 |season=3 |number=10}}

Following the signing of the Sokovia Accords, S.H.I.E.L.D. is re-legitimized,{{Cite episode |title=Emancipation |episode-link=Emancipation (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 10, 2016 |season=3 |number=20}} with Coulson replaced as director by Jeffrey Mace,{{Cite episode |title=Meet the New Boss |episode-link=Meet the New Boss (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=September 27, 2016 |season=4 |number=2}} though he is eventually able to retake command of operations while Mace serves as the public face of S.H.I.E.L.D.{{Cite episode |title=The Patriot |episode-link=The Patriot (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=January 17, 2017 |season=4 |number=10}} After the artificial intelligence AIDA attempts to take over the world, Coulson allows himself to briefly become a Ghost Rider to defeat her.{{Cite episode |title=World's End |episode-link=World's End (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 16, 2017 |season=4 |number=22}} Coulson and his teammates are later abducted and sent to the future,{{Cite episode |title=Orientation Part 1 |episode-link=Orientation (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=December 1, 2017 |season=5 |number=1}} to prevent the extinction of humanity.{{Cite episode |title=Rewind |episode-link=Rewind (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=December 22, 2017 |season=5 |number=4}} After their return, his team discover the Ghost Rider burned through the GH-325 that kept Coulson alive, causing him to slowly die ever since.{{Cite episode |title=The Real Deal |episode-link=The Real Deal (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=March 9, 2018 |season=5 |number=12}} Despite the team's best efforts to save him, Coulson ultimately chooses to leave S.H.I.E.L.D. and live the remainder of his life in Tahiti with Melinda May, with whom he developed a romantic relationship.{{Cite episode |title=The End |episode-link=The End (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 18, 2018 |season=5 |number=22}}

== Sarge ==

As the team, especially May and new Director Alphonso Mackenzie, mourn Coulson, they are perturbed by the arrival of the cold-blooded Sarge,{{Cite episode |title=Missing Pieces |episode-link=Missing Pieces (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 10, 2019 |season=6 |number=1}} an alien who is physically and genetically identical to Coulson.{{Cite episode |title=Window of Opportunity |episode-link=Window of Opportunity (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 17, 2019 |season=6 |number=2}} They later learn Sarge's body was created in an accident involving three reality-altering Monoliths, and was inhabited by the entity Pachakutiq thousands of years ago, losing both its and Coulson's memories before becoming Sarge.{{Cite episode |title=Leap |episode-link=Leap (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=July 19, 2019 |season=6 |number=10}} Mack and Johnson kill Pachakutiq to avert the end of the world, but the team is forced to escape an attack by the cybernetic alien Chronicoms. To combat them, S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons make an enhanced Life Model Decoy of Coulson to guide them in a journey through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s past, beginning in the 1930s.{{Cite episode |title=New Life |episode-link=New Life (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=August 2, 2019 |season=6 |number=13}}

== Revived as an L.M.D. ==

The L.M.D. Coulson helps the team stop the Chronicoms from changing history while coping with his existence as a non-human entity.{{Cite episode |title=The New Deal |episode-link=The New Deal (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 27, 2020 |season=7 |number=1}}{{Cite episode |title=Out of the Past |episode-link=Out of the Past (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 27, 2020 |season=7 |number=1}}{{Cite episode |title=A Trout in the Milk |episode-link=A Trout in the Milk |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=June 24, 2020 |season=7 |number=5}}{{Cite episode |title=Adapt or Die |episode-link=Adapt or Die (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 27, 2020 |season=7 |number=6}}{{Cite episode |title=As I Have Always Been |episode-link=As I Have Always Been |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 27, 2020 |season=7 |number=9}}{{Cite episode |title=Brand New Day |episode-link=Brand New Day (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=August 5, 2020 |season=7 |number=11}} A year after the Chronicoms' defeat, Coulson takes a sabbatical to travel the world in a reconstruction of his red 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, Lola.{{Cite episode |title=What We're Fighting For |episode-link=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series finale |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=August 12, 2020 |season=7 |number=13}}

Alternate versions

= Radcliffe LMDs =

After being corrupted by the Darkhold, Holden Radcliffe and Aida build a Life Model Decoys of Coulson and other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents programmed to impersonate him while his human self is imprisoned in the Framework, to allow them to steal the Darkhold for themselves. After being betrayed by the L.M.D. May, Radcliffe's Coulson L.M.D. is destroyed when the L.M.D. May blows up the empty S.H.I.E.L.D. base to allow its remaining human agents to escape.

= History teacher =

After revealed to be trapped in the Darkhold-infused Framework virtual reality at the end of "Self Control", Coulson experiences a parallel lifetime in which he never joined S.H.I.E.L.D. and became a history teacher and conspiracy theorist who believes Hydra is using mind control soap to enslave the population of Earth. After being made aware of his alternate life as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent by Johnson, Coulson assists her ensuring his escape from the Framework; upon awakening in the real world, the real Coulson is surprised that he remembers the life of his Framework self.

= Destruction of Earth =

In an alternate 2018, after failing to stop a gravitonium-infused Glenn Talbot from accidentally destroying the Earth,{{Cite episode |title=Option Two |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=April 27, 2018 |season=5 |number=19 |credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer)}}{{Cite episode |title=The One Who Will Save Us All |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 4, 2018 |season=5 |number=20 |credits=Gierhart, Cherie (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer)}}{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reveals Graviton in new promo |url=http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092344/http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/ |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Damore |first=Meaghan |date=May 17, 2018 |title=Agents of SHIELD EPs Reveal Why Graviton Had to be Season 5's Villain |url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117134132/https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell/ |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Comic Book Resources}} Coulson and his team rescue a fraction of the Earth's population aboard their Lighthouse base, built to withstand the Earth's destruction, before eventually dying as a result of his deal with Ghost Rider.{{Cite episode |title=The Force of Gravity |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 11, 2018 |season=5 |number=21 |credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Drew Z. Greenberg & Craig Titley (writer)}}{{Cite episode |title=The End |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=May 18, 2018 |season=5 |number=22 |credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer)}}{{Cite episode |title=Orientation Part Two |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |date=December 1, 2017 |season=5 |number=2 |credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer)}}

= What If...? =

Alternate universe variants of Coulson appear in the animated series What If...? (2021–2024), with Gregg reprising his role.{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Simon |date=August 25, 2021 |title=What If...? Episode 3 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character |url=https://screenrant.com/what-if-episode-3-cast-mcu-character-guide-new-returning/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825121346/https://screenrant.com/what-if-episode-3-cast-mcu-character-guide-new-returning/ |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=Screen Rant}}{{Cite web |title=Agent Phil Coulson Voices (Marvel Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Agent-Phil-Coulson/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

== Death of the Avengers ==

In an alternate 2011, Coulson witnesses the murders of five candidates of the Avengers Initiative, and investigates the mastermind behind their deaths with Nick Fury. Fury and Loki discover that Hank Pym was responsible.

== Thor's party and chasing the Ducks ==

{{see also|What If... Thor Were an Only Child?|What If... Howard the Duck Got Hitched?}}

In another alternate 2011, Coulson assists Maria Hill, acting director of S.H.I.E.L.D., in attempting to stop an out-of-control party hosted by Thor. He later assists Fury in retrieving Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis' child, who is said to be destined for a greater purpose.

Marvel Comics

{{Infobox comics character

| image =Phil Coulson (Earth-616).jpg

| caption =Phil Coulson as depicted on the variant cover of Infinity Watch #4 (April 2025). Art by In-Hyuk Lee.

| character_name = Phil Coulson

| full_name = Phillip J. Coulson

| publisher = Marvel Comics

| debut = Battle Scars #6 (April 2012)

| creators = {{ubl|Christopher Yost|Matt Fraction|Cullen Bunn}}

| alliances = {{ubl| 75th Ranger Regiment|Squadron Supreme of America|S.H.I.E.L.D.|Secret Avengers|Power Elite}}

| aliases = Cheese
President of the United States

| partners = {{ubl|Mephisto|Deadpool|Nick Fury Jr.}}

}}

=''Battle Scars''=

Phil Coulson first appeared in the mainstream Marvel Universe in Christopher Yost, Matt Fraction and Cullen Bunn's Battle Scars #6 (April 2012) as Nick Fury Jr.'s Ranger teammate nicknamed "Cheese". He is later revealed to be Coulson after he follows Fury in joining S.H.I.E.L.D. Coulson has gone on to appear in other comics set in the mainstream Marvel universe, including Secret Avengers by Nick Spencer and Luke Ross in 2013, and in Thor: God of Thunder in 2014.

=''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' vol. 3=

In July 2014 at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Comics announced an ongoing series titled S.H.I.E.L.D., to be set in the mainstream Marvel Universe, and written by Mark Waid, beginning December 2014. The series is led by Coulson, and sees the canonical introduction of characters that originated from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, to which Waid said, "This is our chance to introduce a lot of the other characters into the Marvel Universe, and give them the Marvel Universe spin." Waid described the series as "done-in-one. Coulson and his team have a mission, and if we need someone for a mission, everyone in the Marvel Universe is available as a potential Agent."{{Cite comic |date=December 31, 2014 |title=S.H.I.E.L.D. |story=Perfect Bullets |issue=#1 |volume=3 |publisher=Marvel Comics |writer=Mark Waid |penciller=Carlos Pacheco |inker=Mariano Taibo, Jason Paz}} In this series, Coulson is the Supreme Commander of Special Operations for S.H.I.E.L.D. under Maria Hill.

=''Deadpool'' vol. 6=

He has appeared in Deadpool, assisting S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Preston and paying Deadpool for his earlier services to S.H.I.E.L.D. During the "Secret Empire" event, Coulson learns that Steve Rogers was involved in attracting the Chitauri to invade Earth, and is subsequently shot from the sky and killed by Deadpool, under the order of Rogers.Deadpool vol. 6 #31. DC Comics.

=''Avengers'' vol. 8=

Phil Coulson later turned up alive and appears as a member of the Power Elite where he meets with Thunderbolt Ross to talk about the Avengers going global. Coulson states to Ross that he has put together the Squadron Supreme of America to be the sanctioned superheroes of the United States, now expressing an intense hatred for "heroes" such as Captain America and Deadpool.Avengers vol. 8 #10. Marvel Comics.

The Squadron Supreme of America are revealed to be simulacrums created by Mephisto and programmed by the Power Elite so that Coulson can have them be a United States-sponsored superhero team, Coulson having gone to Hell after his death for unspecified war crimes, and made a deal with Mephisto to be restored to life. During the War of the Realms storyline, Coulson summons the Squadron Supreme of America to fight the invading Frost Giants. After the Squadron Supreme caused the Frost Giants to retreat, Coulson sends them to Ohio which has become a battleground.Avengers vol. 8 #18. Marvel Comics.

At The Pentagon, Phil Coulson is briefed about an intruder on Sublevel 7 by a Nick Fury L.M.D. when it turns out to be Black Panther. The Squadron Supreme are summoned to confront Black Panther. Hyperion states that the Squadron Supreme are the United States' sanctioned superhero team in light of the Avengers becoming an anti-American team. As Nighthawk states to Blur that Black Panther will not run as he is under arrest, Black Panther states to them that he does not know how they got their powers and that they are not the Squadron Supreme, as he even asked if they trust Coulson. Before they can grab him, Black Panther contacts Broo to teleport him away. As he disappears, the Black Panther states that Coulson will not answer their questions and that the Avengers are not their enemies unless they force them to be.Avengers vol. 8 #21. Marvel Comics.

=''Heroes Reborn''=

In "Heroes Reborn", Coulson uses the Pandemonium Cube to rewrite reality in Mephisto's name, erasing the Avengers from existence and making himself President.Heroes Reborn #1. Marvel Comics. He is later defeated and imprisoned in the Pandemonium Cube.Heroes Return #1 (August 2021) Coulson is later resurrected by the Death Stone and becomes its wielder.Thanos Annual (vol. 3) #1 (August 2024){{Cite web |last=Brooke |first=David |date=January 15, 2025 |title=Amazing Spider-Man #65.DEATHS review |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2025/01/15/amazing-spider-man-65-deaths-review/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=AIPT Comics |language=en-us}}

Concept and creation

{{Quote box|quote=Agent Coulson was one of the guys who wasn't really in the comic books, and he [had] a very kind of small role in Iron Man. And I was just very lucky that they chose to expand that character and chose to put him more into the universe of it.|source=—Gregg on the character's expansion in Thor|width=33%|align=right}}

Agent Phil Coulson was created by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway for Iron Man, the first feature film in the MCU. Coulson was the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent introduced in the MCU, and was portrayed by Clark Gregg, who was offered a three-picture deal. Gregg initially balked at this due to the character initially only being known as "Agent" and having few lines, but recognized Marvel's plan for an interconnected universe; the character was ultimately given the surname "Coulson" after Danny Coulson, whose book No Heroes: Inside the FBI's Secret Counter-Terror Force was used as a dialogue reference for Iron Man.{{Cite news |last=The Team House |date=April 2, 2021 |title=FBI Hostage Rescue Team founder Danny Coulson Part 1, Ep. 87 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2ZZyHfNE7M |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/K2ZZyHfNE7M |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Gregg went on to play the character in Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Avengers, the latter film in which he was provided the first name "Phil".

Throughout the films, Coulson is generally depicted as a supporting character of the protagonists and used to represent S.H.I.E.L.D.'s presence, to the point that Gregg has described Coulson as "the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent". However, for the Marvel One-Shot short films The Consultant and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer, Coulson is given "a chance to stand in his own spotlight for once". This was a "natural" move for co-producer Brad Winderbaum, who wanted to "paint a picture of S.H.I.E.L.D. pulling the strings and being responsible for some of the events we've seen in the films. What better character to represent this idea than Agent Coulson, the first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent we were introduced to?"

At the 2012 New York Comic Con, Joss Whedon and Kevin Feige announced that Gregg would be starring as Coulson in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., despite the character dying in The Avengers, with Whedon saying "He's headlining the S.H.I.E.L.D. show and always was." Gregg said of Whedon's explanation for Coulson's resurrection, "I found it so fascinating and so true to the world of the comics and mythology in general as I understand them that I was immediately in." Regarding the amount of creative input he has over the character in the series, Gregg said, "I have meetings with [the showrunners] once or twice a year and talk about what the big ideas are ... They're really responsive to the fact that I've been involved with this person four, five years longer than them, but ... I have no complaints with what they're doing."

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. costume designer Ann Foley described Coulson as a "company man", wearing suits in "the S.H.I.E.L.D. palette—grey, black and navy with a distinct but subtle pattern." Foley did note "subtle changes" in Coulson's costuming in the series from the films, such as streamlined suits and "more slick" ties, "now that [he] is back after being 'killed' by Loki". After Coulson's hand is cut off in the second-season finale, which was realized by having a mechanical axe cut through a "faux arm made of tripe wrapped around a chicken thigh", Gregg described it as "heavy ... one of those things where you're having the practical difficulty your character does. People were handing me stuff, like files, and I couldn't really open them without using my nose." This practicality issue continued with the prosthetic hand Coulson subsequently has to use, with Gregg saying "the reality informs the thing. It's really hard to figure out how to use this prosthetic, and that's what Phil Coulson's going through ... I'm hoping it evolves at some point." Gregg also noted that in the third season Coulson would be wearing more casual clothes, partly because "he can't even seem to tie a tie" with his new hand. The prosthetic hand evolves throughout the season, with a later iteration projecting an energy shield, inspired by a similar one used in the comics by Captain America. The energy shield was created by Cosa, one of the series' visual effects vendors.

There had been considerations for Coulson to return in Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, but the character was not slated to appear in any more films. Whedon asserts, "As far as the fiction of the movies, Coulson is dead," elaborating that "generally [he feels] like the S.H.I.E.L.D. audience and The Avengers audiences are not actually the same group, necessarily," and so the films would have to explain Coulson's resurrection again for the film-only audience if he were to be reintroduced. Gregg reprises the role once again in Captain Marvel (2019), as the film is set in the 1990s. Gregg is digitally de-aged by 25 years, along with co-star Samuel L. Jackson, the first time Marvel has done this for an entire film. In regards to the character's resurrection within the MCU canon, however, Loki head writer Michael Waldron suggested in one interview that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. might take place in "one other tendril of the multiverse, perhaps", a timeline parallel to the MCU's canon timeline.

=Characterization=

Gregg has stated, "I think of Agent Coulson, after all these years, as a guy with a full life. I think every day he's somewhere doing something for S.H.I.E.L.D., and yet I don't always know what that is... There's always a different twist. In this one he gets to show more of his wisecracking wit, and in this one he's a little bit more of a badass." Despite Coulson being called "the most recognizable face in the Marvel Comics movie universe", he is depicted as an "everyman" in a universe full of superheroes—"the glue that binds" the characters together. Gregg explained his portrayal of the character as "just a guy grumbling about his job ... he's tasked with handling these kind of diva superheroes, you know? 'Oh, really, Asgard? Dude, just get in the car.'"

{{quote box|width=33%|align=left|quote=By being so front and center in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in a way that he wasn't as much in the films ... he's gotten some power. He's at the front lines, and what is the cost of that going to be?|source=–Gregg, on how starring in the television series can affect Coulson differently to appearing in the films.}}

On whether the resurrected Coulson would be the same as before he died, Gregg said "I don't know how you could not change going through what he went through. I think if he hadn't gone through some kind of change, it wouldn't be any good. That said, I don't know if he understands how much he's changed." Later exploring some of those changes, Gregg stated "In some ways, he kinda finds himself not nearly as cold or ruthless as he would like to be, or as he has been. And at the same time, putting together this team, he feels driven by motives inside of himself that he can't quite always make sense of and that feels very new to him."

After Coulson was promoted to Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Gregg said "He kind of got his dream job that I don't even think he would have ever dreamed he would be given ... he's got a little bit more of an idealistic, big hearted side of him [than Nick Fury does], some of which is going to be extinguished by the hard decisions he has to make." Speaking about the evolving nature of Coulson's relationship with his team, Gregg said "There's a way he can afford an intimacy with all of them when they're part of a small, elite squad on the Bus. It's different than what's possible for him as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." Discussing Coulson's character progression through three seasons in relation to him killing Ward on the alien planet, executive producer Jeffrey Bell said, "First season Coulson would have beat Ward up and then thrown him over his shoulder and brought him back to Earth and locked him away. Season two Coulson would have defeated him and left him there on the other planet to fend for himself," while season three Coulson paused while the portal to Earth was already closing to take the time to kill Ward.

For the fourth season, Coulson is demoted back to field agent status. Gregg said that the reasoning for this "makes sense given that S.H.I.E.L.D. is coming out of the shadows. There are people that will want their person in charge." He felt that Coulson would actually prefer this, saying, "I always felt like Coulson was happiest in the field. Neither I nor Coulson loved playing and listening while his agents went into dangerous situations. And there are more dramatic possibilities when you have a boss that you have to deal with."

Reception

In his review for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.{{'}}s first season, Evan Valentine at Collider named Clark Gregg as one of the high points of the series, noting that the actor was "one positive I consistently point out in each and every episode". Valentine stated that "What made us fall in love with the character from the first Iron Man to his death in The Avengers is still alive and kicking. Coulson was able to throw out quips like none other, while also turning on a dime, and expressing serious rage in moments ... Gregg raises the S.H.I.E.L.D. banner high". Reviewing the episode "The Writing on the Wall", which concluded the majority of Coulson's storyline in the series up to that point, Kevin Fitzpatrick of ScreenCrush praised how Coulson had become "unglued" throughout the series, which had "pushed the newly-minted director into some dark places". Eric Goldman, reviewing for IGN, was also positive of the "unhinged version of Coulson", as well as the more serious leadership role the character took on for the second season, with Goldman finding Coulson's decision in "Making Friends and Influencing People" that Donnie Gill "either went with them or had to be taken out" to be especially notable.

Clark Gregg won for Best Supporting Actor in The Avengers at the 39th Saturn Awards.

In other media

=Television=

Phil Coulson appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Clark Gregg. This version is the principal of Peter Parker's school.
Phil Coulson makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers episode "The Mightiest of Heroes!".

=Comic books=

==''The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes''==

Phil Coulson appears in the comic book continuation of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

==Ultimate Marvel==

In 2014, the Ultimate version of Phil Coulson debuted in the Ultimate Fantastic Four series as an ex-Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. turned Director of the Future Foundation.

==''Marvel 1602''==

In November 2015, a 17th-century version of Coulson (Master Coulson) appeared in the series 1602: Witch Hunter Angela.1602 Witch Hunter Angela #3

==''Spidey''==

Phil Coulson appears in the Spidey comic book.

=Video games=

Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online, voiced by Tom Kenny.
Phil Coulson appears as a non-player character in Marvel Heroes, with Clark Gregg reprising the role.
Phil Coulson appears as a non-player character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance, Alliance 2, and Alliance Tactics.
Phil Coulson appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced again by Clark Gregg.
Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.
Phil Coulson appears in Lego Marvel's Avengers, voiced again by Clark Gregg.
Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in Marvel Avengers Academy, voiced by Billy Kametz.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.billykametz.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812031153/https://www.billykametz.com/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=Billy Kametz}}
Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.
Phil Coulson appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.{{Cite web |last=Samuel Gelman |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Marvel Strike Force Recruits Agent Coulson, Graviton & AIM |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-strike-force-agent-coulson-graviton-aim/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505010627/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-strike-force-agent-coulson-graviton-aim/ |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |publisher=CBR}}

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{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |date=August 4, 2015 |title=16 'Agents of SHIELD' Season 3 teases, from Simmons' destination to Daisy's new wardrobe |url=http://screenertv.com/television/agents-of-shield-season-3-teases-time-jump-simmons-answer-daisy-wardrobe-lash/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501144137/http://screenertv.com/television/agents-of-shield-season-3-teases-time-jump-simmons-answer-daisy-wardrobe-lash/ |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |access-date=May 1, 2017 |website=ScreenerTV}}

{{Cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |date=September 29, 2015 |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere: Stars on Daisy's New Role, Coulson's (Sexy?) Relationship, Anti-Ward Feelings |url=http://tvline.com/2015/09/29/agents-of-shield-season-3-spoilers-where-is-jemma/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407141220/https://tvline.com/2015/09/29/agents-of-shield-season-3-spoilers-where-is-jemma/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |publisher=TVLine}}

{{Cite web |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |date=December 8, 2015 |title='Agents of SHIELD' EP Explains What's Next After That Shocking Midseason Finale Death |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-midseason-finale-death-846860/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103000900/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-midseason-finale-death-846860/ |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

{{Cite web |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |date=September 14, 2016 |title='Agents of SHIELD' Season 4: Clark Gregg Teases Coulson's New Life After Demotion |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-season-4-coulson-928375/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091247/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/agents-shield-season-4-coulson-928375/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

{{Cite web |last=Chabala |first=Ben |date=February 21, 2017 |title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Agent Coulson |url=https://news.marvel.com/games/60049/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-agent-coulson/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225205907/https://news.marvel.com/games/60049/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-agent-coulson/ |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2017 |publisher=Marvel.com}}

{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=March 26, 2018 |title='Captain Marvel' Rounds Out Cast with Familiar Marvel Names |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/captain-marvel-cast-clark-gregg-returning-as-agent-coulson-1097356/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326183143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/captain-marvel-cast-clark-gregg-returning-as-agent-coulson-1097356 |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

{{Cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |date=July 6, 2018 |title=Kevin Feige Explains How They Planned 'Ant-Man and The Wasp' Alongside 'Infinity War,' the Disney Streaming Service and More [Interview] |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/559353/kevin-feige-interview-ant-man-and-the-wasp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510010658/https://www.slashfilm.com/559353/kevin-feige-interview-ant-man-and-the-wasp/ |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |publisher=/Film}}

{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=June 11, 2021 |title=Tom Hiddleston on Loki's Biggest Betrayals and Most Heroic Moments |url=https://www.fandom.com/articles/loki-tom-hiddleston-mcu-hero-betrayal-mobius |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612040920/https://www.fandom.com/articles/loki-tom-hiddleston-mcu-hero-betrayal-mobius |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |website=Fandom}}

{{Cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=June 27, 2013 |title='Avengers,' 'Breaking Bad' Win at the Saturns |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/avengers-breaking-bad-win-at-575874 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630001321/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/avengers-breaking-bad-win-at-575874 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=February 3, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Prometheus Global Media}}

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