Marvel Cinematic Universe: 50 Best Deaths
2. Agent Coulson
Died In: The Avengers
Phase 1 lynchpin Phil Coulson lost his life shortly before the Battle of New York while trying to stop Loki. Despite having his enemy at gunpoint, Loki teleported behind him and stabbed him, creating a wound that Coulson didn't recover from, leaving his allies - and the audiences seeing it happen - in shock.
Though Coulson has since been brought back to life in Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., the circumstances behind which aren't as easy as those who don't watch the show seem to think it is, his death was a powerful motivator for the Avengers to finally unite.