‘Agents of SHIELD’ season 4 spoilers: Patton Oswalt will return

For those wanting a little bit more comedy on “Agents of SHIELD” — or just a really cool guest star — rest assured that you’ll get both courtesy of Patton Oswalt’s big comeback.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor and comedian will be returning for the upcoming January 31 episode entitled “Hot Potato Soup” as two of his characters in particular in Sam and Billy Koenig (RIP Eric), who are both going to be involved in a story revolving around the Darkhold — you know, that thing that has been referenced almost the entire season so far! While the assumption entering the winter premiere was that Aida was acting independently in her attempt to get at the book, we learned in the closing minutes that her creator in Radcliffe was aware of her actions the whole time and actually encouraging it. It’s almost a perfect plan for him given that he was able to use the first Aida (a.k.a. the one who got beheaded) as cover for the longest time for what he was really up to.

As for how the Koenigs are involved specifically with the Darkhold, that will be revealed, but given that we’re in the middle of an arc all about life-model decoys, maybe you can make the case that one or both of them is an LMD. Maybe Eric was a human and these guys are his robo-siblings? All executive producers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen had to say to Entertainment Weekly on the subject of the characters’ story is that they will “finally reveal their family secret” coming up. Take that for what you will.

Oswalt is not the only familiar face to the “Agents of SHIELD” universe who is returning for an upcoming episode; we’ve heard already that Adrian Pasdar (“Heroes”) will be appearing in at least a couple of episodes, including Tuesday night’s “The Patriot.” (You can watch a preview for that episode now over here.)

Thrilled about the idea of Oswalt’s return to the show? Share your thoughts on the matter in the comments, and be sure to head over here in the event you’re interested in some further updates all about “Agents of SHIELD.” (Photo: ABC.)