S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictitious agency of intelligence, espionage and antiterrorism that appears in the American comics of Marvel Comics. It was created in 1965 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales # 135.1 2

Within the fictional universe of Marvel is often directed by Nick Fury (although Rick Stoner -the first director-, Maria Hill, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark3 and Daisy Johnson4 have also been in charge), and operates both as a secret agency and a quasi-military It has been represented inconsistently as if it were under the jurisdiction of the United Nations or under the control of the United States.5

The acronym originally corresponded to Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division and later changed to Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage and Logistics Directorate; although within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as some television series, it means Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.5 6 In the first editions of Marvel in Spanish it was called E.S.C.U.D.O., 1 it is now said that S.H.I.E.L.D. is the abbreviation for the Approved System of Intelligence, Espionage, Logistics, and Defense.7

Within the Marvel Universe there are other similar agencies, sister agencies, or subdivisions; among them are A.R.M.O.R. (Altered-Reality Monitoring and Operational Response), S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department), S.T.R.I.K.E. (Special Tactical Response for International Key Emergencies), 6 S.A.F.E. (Strategic Action For Emergencies) W.A.N.D. (Wizardry, Alchemy and Necromancy Department), 3 etc. Also, during the Dark Reign S.H.I.E.L.D. it was replaced by H.A.M.M.E.R.6 directed by Norman Osborn.