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Mystery solved! 

After all the speculation as to what character exactly J. August Richards was being groomed for on ABC’s Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel has finally revealed who Mike Peterson (Richards’ recurring role on the series) will eventually become.

Deathlok is coming to Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and J. August Richards will play him!

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Although I’m not not intimately familiar with the Marvel universe, I’m sure those of you who are will have some immediate reactions to the news! Or maybe not…

For the TV series, the character will be tweaked (meaning, don’t expect the Deathlok you’ll eventually watch on screen to be the same you’ve read in the comics – although it’s my understanding that there have been 3 different Deathloks in the comic book series – Luther Manning, Michael Collins, and Jack Truman).

So what can you expect from the live-action version of the character in the ABC action/drama series?

Details from Marvel’s press release:

Transformed into the cybernetic solider against his will, Mike Peterson (J. August Richards) must struggle to find the man in the machine. With a high-tech eye that allows him to see through walls, super strength and increased speed courtesy of a cybernetic leg, will Deathlok fight alongside the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or against them?

“We have been waiting all season for this moment where we can reveal that Mike Peterson’s story arc is an origin story,” said Executive Producer Jeffrey Bell. “We’re thrilled to have J. August Richards playing Deathlok and to have our audience enjoy this favorite Marvel character on the show.”

“If you would have asked when I was nine-years old what I wanted to be, I would have said a super hero and I’m so excited to be one now as an adult on TV!” added J. August Richards. “It’s a dream come true.”

The image above is what Deathlok looks like in the comics. No word from Marvel on whether they’ll keep that look in the translation to screen.

A classic Marvel Comics icon who is celebrating his 40th anniversary this year, Deathlok will be brought to live-action life for first time ever on an all-new episode of the series set for Tuesday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC. I’m sure that’ll be a heavily-watched episode.