10 Key Characters Created Specifically For Comic Book Movies

3. Phil Coulson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Phil Coulson - played by the brilliantly charismatic Clark Gregg - made his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008's Iron Man (the first movie in the franchise) and has become one of the franchise's most surprisingly popular characters. He has since appeared in Iron Man 2, Thor and The Avengers and, after apparently dying in the latter, has been brought back to life to headline the linked television series Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Moreover, the character has proven so popular that he has been adapted in animated shows like Ultimate Spider-Man - in which he was voiced by Clark Gregg himself - and the mainstream Marvel comic books (where he was introduced with the codename "Cheese", incidentally).