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| Victoria Hand | |
|---|---|
 Victoria Hand. Art byOliver Coipel. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Invincible Iron Man #8 (Dec.2008) |
| Created by | Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Mike Deodato (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Victoria Hand |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | S.H.I.E.L.D. Dark Avengers H.A.M.M.E.R. New Avengers |
| Partnerships | Norman Osborn |
| Abilities | Highly skilled in information gathering, logistics, strategic management and espionage. |
Victoria Hand is a fictional supporting character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics, in particular those featuring the American espionage organizationS.H.I.E.L.D. of which Hand was a member.
Saffron Burrows portrayed the character in thefirst season of theMarvel Cinematic Universe TV seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D., while Rachele Schank portrayed her younger self in theseventh season.
Victoria Hand was created byBrian Michael Bendis andMike Deodato.[1][2] Her first appearance was inThe Invincible Iron Man #8 by the creative team ofMatt Fraction andSalvador Larroca,[3] although her subsequent appearance inDark Avengers #1, by Bendis and Deodato, predates this in continuity.
Hand appeared as a supporting character throughout the 2010-2013New Avengers series from issue #1 (Aug. 2010) through the character's death in issue #32 (Dec. 2012).
Hand is introduced as aS.H.I.E.L.D. accountant, dating a fellow agent named Isabelle, who has different beliefs about the fight against criminals and terrorists. Three years before theSecret Invasion storyline, Victoria sent a letter to S.H.I.E.L.D. directorNick Fury about his war on terrorism and her concerns that he was doing a poor job. Isabelle implored Victoria not to send the letter. The result was Hand's transferral to a S.H.I.E.L.D. base in Portland, Oregon. Hand's relationship broke down due to Isabelle's anger over her advice being ignored.[4]
During the "Dark Reign" storyline,Norman Osborn becomes the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and transforms the organization into the operation known asH.A.M.M.E.R. He appoints Victoria to the position of deputy director of this organization due to her vocal opposition of previous S.H.I.E.L.D. directors Nick Fury andTony Stark. Victoria willingly supports Osborn's agenda to subvert the heroes and place villains instead, believing that Osborn would bring peace to the world. Victoria also has a certain level of authority over Osborn's Avengers despite Osborn givingMoonstone the position of his second-in-command.[5]
Victoria is arrested following an attack on theAsgardians.[6] She is taken onto aHelicarrier, where she is interviewed bySteve Rogers. Victoria states that she does not regret her actions and is trying to help the world. In response, Rogers appoints Victoria as the liaison to the New Avengers.[7][8]Spider-Man's suspicions of Victoria and duties with theFuture Foundation prompt him to temporarily leave the New Avengers, believing that Victoria will turn on the New Avengers.[9] After Osborn'sDark Avengers launch their attack, Victoria reveals to the New Avengers that she was actually atriple agent, pretending to work for both Captain America and Norman Osborn while actually working for Captain America.[10][11]
Victoria is possessed byDaniel Drumm's ghost during his revenge attack on the New Avengers for what happened to his brotherJericho. Under Drumm's possession, she is forced to killDaimon Hellstrom andJennifer Kale.[12] AfterDoctor Strange dispatches her in theAvengers Mansion and brings her to the astral plane, Victoria Hand is killed by Drumm.[13]
Victoria Hand appears in theMarvel Cinematic Universe seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portrayed bySaffron Burrows. This version is the titularS.H.I.E.L.D. base's director.[14][15] Upon learning ofHydra infiltrators,[16] she leads in a team in weeding them out. In the process, she captures S.H.I.E.L.D. turncoatJohn Garrett is exposed as a double agent with the intention of sending him to S.H.I.E.L.D. base, theFridge, but is killed byGrant Ward.[17] Additionally, a young, alternate timeline version of Hand appears in theseries finale, "The End Is at Hand" and "What We're Fighting For", portrayed by Rachele Schank.[18][19]
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