WandaVision: what is SWORD, the new organization of the UCM?

Episode 3 of WandaVision on Disney Plus was well received by the public, but at the same time several were confused by the appearance of SWORD at the end of the chapter.

In this note, we will explain who the new government organization that would have replaced SHIELD in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is made up of.

What is SWORD?

SWORD (Sentient World Observation and Response Department), whose translation into Spanish is ESPADA is a fictional counter-terrorism and intelligence agency that appears in Marvel Comics. This organization is the counterpart of SHIELD and its purpose is to be vigilant and combat extraterrestrial threats before they reach planet Earth.

SWORD was created as a department of SHIELD, but since Nick Fury’s departure, relations between the two agencies have become strained. The director of ESPADA is Abigail brand. The organization’s headquarters location is on the space station known as Peak.

SWORD’s first appearance

The government agency made its first appearance in Marvel comics in 2004, in the publication Astonishing X-Men vol. 3 # 6. The idea of ​​creating this new organization came from Joss Whedon and John Cassaday.

SWORD and its importance in WandaVision

The first modification that was made in the version of the UCM is the change of words that form its acronym. In the comics, the letters mean Sentient World Observation and Response Deparment (Division of Response and Sensitive Observation of the World), while in the UCM the word “World” was changed to Weapon “, Sentient World Observation and Response Deparment (Sensitive Weapons Observation Division).

This could explain the reason why the organization monitors the reality where Wanda is, since due to her powers it would consider her a weapon that could be put against the Earth, as happened in the saga House of Mby Marvel Comics.