10 Iconic DC/Marvel Characters Who Originated Outside The Comics
4. Phil Coulson
The biggest character to be introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost certainly S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson.
Originally, Coulson was not a character in the Marvel comics and his very first appearance actually came in the film that started the MCU in the first place, 2008's Iron Man, in which he was portrayed by Clark Gregg. Gregg would then reprise his role as Coulson in Iron Man 2, Thor, and The Avengers, as well as the MCU short films The Consultant and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer.
Now, Coulson has become one of the faces of Marvel Television thanks to Gregg's lead role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which began in 2013 and is currently in the midst of its fifth season.
Coulson's first appearance in Marvel Comics came in January 2012 in Battle Scars #1, and he has since become a significant player in the universe, being heavily involved in major storylines such as Civil War II.