3. Agent Phil Coulson – Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Avengers, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Surely you all saw this one coming. Perhaps one of the greatest of the original characters on this list, and easily the most embraced, Coulson was originally created as a minor character in Iron Man that would eventually link to S.H.I.E.L.D. It seemed an odd choice to some at the time, especially since there are plenty of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in the comics that could have taken Coulson’s place. That said, it might have ruined the reveal in the very end if it had been, say, Maria Hill instead.
Regardless, Coulson proved popular enough to reprise his role in Iron Man 2, Thor, and two Marvel One-Shots before his tragic end in The Avengers. Well, sort of, as he’s now been confirmed to appear in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. show. In addition to becoming a regular in the MCU, Coulson has now actually been written into the comics and has also made an appearance in the Amazing Spider-Man cartoon show.
Considering Marvel is willing to bring him back from the dead, it’s likely we’ll see a lot more of Coulson in the years to come. And we’re okay with that.
