Nathaniel Malick was a minor character in the third season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. He only appears in flashback scenes in the episode "Paradise Lost", having died decades before the events of the series.
History[]
Nathaniel was the younger brother of Gideon Malick. Their father, Wilfred Malick, was a loyal member of HYDRA until his death in 1970, following which the two sons were expected to take their own place within the organization. Following their father's funeral, Gideon and Nathaniel were taken to the Rat to visit Werner Reinhardt, a Nazi scientist who had been captured by the Strategic Scientific Reserve near the end of World War II. Reinhardt suggested that the boys follow his path in HYDRA as he was devoted more to science than occultism like the Malicks had been. He also informed the brothers of a trick Wilfred had performed during his chapter's stone ceremonies, a means of avoiding being chosen as the Traveler and sacrificed to the entity that resided on Maveth.
Heeding Reinhardt's words, Nathaniel returned home and searched for the book Paradise Lost in his father's expansive library. After finding the book, he discovered a small white stone within it, realising that Wilfred had rigged the stone lottery in his favour so that he would never become the sacrifice. After revealing this secret to Gideon, the brothers made a pact and promised to carry on the tradition honestly.
Fate[]
When the next stone ceremony came about, both Nathaniel and Gideon took part in it. However, Gideon broke their pact and cheated during the ceremony, setting up Nathaniel to be the next Traveler. Nathaniel was horrified by his brother's betrayal, but could do nothing about it as he was then forced to enter the portal to Maveth. He would ultimately be killed by Hive, who then possessed his body, gaining his memories in the process.
In 2016, Hive would return to Earth after possessing the body of Grant Ward. Using Nathaniel Malick's memories and personality, he spoke with Gideon and his daughter Stephanie about Gideon's betrayal and their father's cowardice.