Phil Coulson Unveils His New Superhero Redesign & It's Nothing Like You're Imagining

As Phil Coulson returns to Marvel continuity, he's showcasing a new redesign to go with his superhero persona. However, anyone expecting the classic cape and tights is way off, as Coulson's new design makes a spine-tingling change to the dedicated SHIELD agent. The design is reasonable considering that - going by power level - Coulson is now closer to a god than a superhero.

Phil Coulson's Powers Turn Him into the Grim Reaper (Literally)

The Former SHIELD Agent Commands the Death Stone

In Derek Landy, Ruairí Coleman, Scott Hanna​​​​​​​, Brian Reber​​​​​​​, Erick Arciniega​​​​​​​ and Cory Petit's Infinity Watch #1, Coulson brings together Marvel's Infinity Stone Bearers, trying to forge the ragtag group into a true force for good. However, the assembled heroes and semi-reformed villains are shocked when Coulson turns up in the guise of the Grim Reaper, complete with scythe. This is no aesthetic change, either - Coulson is now responsible for overseeing death in the Marvel Unverse.

Recently, Thanos bound the cosmic entity known as Lady Death in an artificial Infinity Stone, creating the Death Stone. Like the other Infinity Stones, the Death Stone chose a host to merge with on the biological level, resurrecting SHIELD agent Phil Coulson and granting him control over death. Coulson used his powers to stop Thanos claiming the Stones of the other Bearers, and gave them the chance to join him as Marvel's new Infinity Watch.

Phil Coulson was killed in 2017, when a brainwashed Captain America convinced Deadpool to assassinate the SHIELD agent. While Coulson was seemingly resurrected as a servant of Mephisto, now hating superheroes, his change of heart was never explained, and the current Coulson has no memory of this 'rebirth', suggesting that version of the hero was some form of demonic duplicate.

Coulson's Alternate Look Is More Understated (But Still Not Typical 'Superhero')

At Least He's Considering a Superhero Codename

Coulson isn't permanently locked in his 'Grim Reaper' form, instead assuming it for his deathly duties, since it's a comforting image for some of the deceased - or at least what they expect to see. Coulson is also able to adopt a more human form, but despite being one of Marvel's most famous superhero fans, he doesn't go for a classic 'Superman' or 'Captain America' look. Instead, Coulson wears a black suit with only a silver skull pin hinting at his true nature.

Thankfully, it's possible that Coulson may soon experiment with a more superheroic look, similar to his Infinity Watch allies. During Infinity Watch #1, Coulson faces off against a group of villains, unleashing a beam of death energy he refers to as a "deathbolt." This prompts him to consider taking on this term as his codename, suggesting that despite his cosmic powers, Coulson's love for superheroes is still shaping his self-image as a heroic Grim Reaper.

Coulson may have been brought back from death and given immense power, but it comes with major responsibilities to oversee one of the primordial powers of the Marvel Universe. While Phil Coulson is trying to handle these developments like a superhero, his new Grim Reaper form shows that he is something far, far more - a fact he'll be forced to admit as he tries to lead the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe into a brighter future.

The Infinity Watch #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.