Iron Man (2008)

Though it can be said that the events of Agent Carter take place after Captain America: The First Avenger, this is of little importance at the moment. From a chronological point of view, the second movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the first Iron Man, released in 2008, which introduced the most charismatic of all the Marvel superheroes.

Genius billionaire playboy philanthropist Tony Stark has since become the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His story arc is very interesting, to say the least. If at first he is just a warmonger amassing a fortune from selling weapons and war technologies, he completely changes after facing the horrors of war. He becomes the first modern hero by using only his intellect and designing the coolest of all armors.

He struggles with depression, he struggles with old habits, he struggles against hidden enemies, but he still does everything that it takes in order to keep the world safe. Even if that means clashing with his fellow Avengers.

The first Iron Man also introduced characters such as Colonel James Rhodes (who latter on became the Iron Patriot and the War Machine) and Nick Fury (the leader of SHIELD) – as far as the latter is concerned, this is his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but not from a chronological point of view (since he also appears in Captain America: The First Avenger).