‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Is Shown at Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO - Did Comic-Con just save ABC? Or have fans here set up the struggling broadcast network for a massive letdown?

ABC needs a new home-run hit in the worst way, and it has found one â€" at least if the fan frenzy created here on Friday by “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is any indication. The Disney-owned television network made the unusual decision to play the first episode of that drama in its entirety at an afternoon presentation, and the response from several thousand attendees was nothing short of fantastic.

“That was so worth getting in line at 3:30 in the morning,” Patty Reeber said as she exited the Comic-Con ballroom with a big smile on her face. “Oh! My! God!”

“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” is based on a storyline from Marvel’s movie universe, in particular “The Avengers.” Clark Gregg reprises his role as Agent Coulson, the leader of a secretive squad that investigates superhero sightings and other strange occurrences. (The organization’s formal name is Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.)

The problem: What goes over well at Comic-Con does not necessarily work in the real world, at least on the scale that Hollywood needs. When it comes to viewers, ABC is the land of “Scandal” moms and “Dancing With the Stars” grandparents; a broad, non-nerd audience may have difficulty with “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

The first episode had a complicated storyline that, at moments, was hard for this (admittedly nongeek) reporter to follow. Two characters with extremely thick accents - an engineer, Leo Fitz, played by Iain De Caestecker, and a biochemist, Jemma Simmons, played by Elizabeth Henstridge - didn’t help matters.

Still, the episode featured stunning special effects (a flying convertible, for instance) and looked expensive, something that panelists confirmed would continue beyond the pilot. “We’re spending way too much money,” said Jeff Bell, an executive producer. “We’ll be passing the donation cup,” joked Ming-Na Wen (“ER”), who plays a toughie named Melinda May.

Will stars from Marvel movie franchises like “Thor,” “Captain America” and “The Avengers” pop up on the small screen? The director Joss Whedon hinted yes. “Probably, but I can’t say who, because that would be spoiling it.”

And “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” doesn’t need any more hype than it now has.