The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 poster reveals that the world has changed – and our beloved characters have changed with it.
The poster, revealed today on People.com, features the cast standing amid rays of light cast out by the eagle of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Above the cast, the question “Are you Inhuman?” dangles rather ominously. While the words clearly reference the proliferation of Terrigen-triggered powers popping up around the world, the word “inhuman” can also be used in a thematic sense.
“[We’re] dealing with this idea of ‘How human am I?'” executive producer Jeph Loeb told Hypable at San Diego Comic-Con.
The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 poster holds several tantalizing clues for the upcoming season. Perhaps most disconcertingly, Director Coulson is not wearing a suit – is this a sign of a looming apocalypse?
Even if not, the new poster offers further intriguing changes and parallels to unpack. Interestingly, Coulson and Ward are positioned in unusual proximity for two men who hate each others guts. In fact, the Director overlaps with both the Hydra-heading baddie and newly-minted superhero Daisy Johnson (formerly Skye) in her new costume.
In a less unusual – but hugely gratifying – setup, Fitz and Simmons stand together again, on the far left side of the poster. That said, the formerly inseparable pair are facing in opposite directions, and – like Coulson – both are dressed rather differently than their usual costumes.
Related: New characters, new powers debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 premiere photos
The other side of the poster features the badasses of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3. Mack, Hunter, Bobbi, and May are all dressed in black, and all look as though they’d really like to punch something right about now.
Which is, you know, understandable.
It’s hard to guess exactly what this arrangement might mean, but perhaps there could be some significance in the fact that Bobbi is turned away from the group. Could this indicate a desire to leave S.H.I.E.L.D., and hint at her own potential series, Marvel’s Most Wanted?
Only time will tell – but thankfully, not too much time.
The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 premiere, “Laws of Nature,” airs on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.