100 Days of Marvel: Road to Infinity War - Day 9: Marvel ONE-SHOT - A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor's Hammer

After doing a weeknight Heroic Analysis, I needed to do something short today to get some other things done. What better way to stay consistent with the timeline than to watch another Pixar Short - I mean Marvel One Shot. I am also refraining from making a very timely "Do you know the wei" Ugandan Knuckles reference.

"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor's Hammer" takes place just before the events of the first "Thor" film (which I will discussing tomorrow).  Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) is a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent who, as the title suggests, is on his way to Thor's hammer, Mjolnir. He pulls over at a gas station to fill his tank, and while deciding which donuts to purchase the station is held up in a robbery. Agent Coulson stops the assailants and is then on his way.

Much like the Agent Carter from her own One Shot, viewers get a quick glimpse into the awesome character. Alone, he handles two assailants in extravagant fashion, and this short presents a very short journey for the character that is contained appropriately.

While not enough happens to be classified as a hero journey, it has a succinct 3 part structure, which the best stories have. The characters even have clear motives through short visual ques and phrases. Coulson stops to get gas (then) Coulson confronts robbers (then) Coulson leaves station, donuts obtained. The character has desires (donuts) and by the end, he gets what he wants, after facing the obstacles in his way.

Coulson, as a character, is really great! This short makes me really excited to finally get back into Agents of Shield, as well as see his appearance in the upcoming movies. I believe he shows up in Thor (I will see if I remember correctly tomorrow), but he DEFINITELY makes an appearance in the first Avengers film.

This short was really well filmed, and quick. Just as long as it would take someone in real life to stop at a gas station and fill their tank, Coulson has ALSO bought two packs of donuts and kicked the ass of two criminals, all while making it look like another ordinary day.