Deathlok Comes To 'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'

Are you still watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? There's a chance the answer is "no," based on an informal straw poll I've just taken with friends I know had been very interested in the series at first. Marvel is trying a few new tricks to bring viewers to (or back to) the show, such as adding Bill Paxton for a multi-episode arc as Agent John Garrett, and Elene Satine will play the Asgardian villain Lorelei.

Another new addition to the show will be the character Deathlok, just in time for the character's 40th anniversary. In an interesting twist he'll be played by an actor already associated with the show, and this is a character addition that was planned some time ago.

J. August Richards, who has been a recurring player on the show, will soon be transformed into the strange fan-fave cyborg character Deathlok. We don't know precisely what he'll look like, though the final product will probably be toned down from some of his comics appearances.

Marvel said via a press release,

Transformed into the cybernetic solider against his will, Mike Peterson (J. August Richards) must struggle to find the man in the machine. With a high-tech eye that allows him to see through walls, super strength and increased speed courtesy of a cybernetic leg, will Deathlok fight alongside the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or against them?

At Marvel's TCA showing, Jeph Loeb said "We've been leaving breadcrumbs along the way. This is a major Marvel character appearing on TV, on film for the first time." Exec producer Jeffrey Bell added "We have been waiting all season for this moment where we can reveal that Mike Peterson's story arc is an origin story."

Deathlock will debut on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on Tuesday, February 4.