While the basic premise of ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘ has been no secret, it will follow a team of globe-trotting secret agents as they investigate superhuman phenomena, the series is said to be set after the explosive debut of ‘The Avengers’.  Of course, to fanboys and girls’ delight, these superhuman phenomena occurring on the show will hopefully all be based on existing Marvel properties that have yet to appear in live action.  (For example, New Warrior/Avenger Rage appears in the pilot.)

Now, Marvel has released a synopsis for the third episode of the series, entitled “The Asset,” which was written by Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen and directed by David Solomon:

When the brilliant scientist, Dr. Franklin Hall, is kidnapped, Agent Coulson and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents must race against the clock to locate him. Skye is their only way in–pushing the team to their limits when the entire plan turns upside-down–on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

That may not be very telling… unless you search for “Dr. Franklin Hall” only to discover that that is the real name of super villain Graviton.  (Which I think is also the name of a ride at the state fair…)  As his name implies, Graviton can manipulate gravity.  As his name also implies, he was introduced in the seventies.  He has been a thorn in the side of The Avengers ever since.  Despite the fact that he isn’t a household name, he is actually one of the most powerful adversaries the heroes have ever faced.  In a recent comic, he massacred almost an entire super team, The Redeemers.

Photo credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

‘Harry Potter’ actor Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell) will portray Dr. Hall.  Of course there is no mention of Graviton in the description, so it’s not a certainty that the character will evolve into his super villainous form.  But the seed is certainly planted. Look for Dr. Hall to make his first appearance two weeks later on October 8th.

What other Marvel characters would you like to see make their debuts on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’?  (Keep in mind, anyone big enough to possibly appear in a movie is off-limits, as are characters related to the X-Men, Fantastic Four and Spider-Man.)

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Agent Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as Skye, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz and Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons. The pilot episode airs Tuesday, September 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.