] S.W.O.R.D. Main article:  S.W.O.R.D. (comics) S.W.O.R.D.  ( S entient  W orld  O bservation and  R esponse  D epartment), works with S.H.I.E.L.D. but specializes in  extraterrestrial  threats. It is first introduced in  Astonishing X-Men  (vol. 3) #6 (Dec. 2004), written by  Joss Whedon . Dialogue in the stories depicting both organizations