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In Afghanistan, Tony Stark is kidnapped by the terrorist group the Ten Rings. He develops the Iron Man armor to escape. (Iron Man)

Three months later, Tony returns to the United States and orders his company to stop making weapons. (Iron Man)

Tony learns his associate, Obadiah Stane, secretly arms the Ten Rings, and in fact arranged Tony’s kidnapping, which actually was suppose to be an assassination. (The Ten Rings demanded ransom when they realized their target was Tony Stark) Stane develops his own Iron Monger suit and fights Iron Man in California. (Iron Man)

That night Stark meets S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and give him his alibi to cover for being Iron Man, which of course he doesn’t follow. The S.H.I.E.L.D. division that covers up superhuman events is called Damage Control. (Iron Man; Fast Friends, exclusive digital comic on Marvel.com)

The next day, Tony Stark holds a press conference. He does not follow script and reveals he is Iron Man. (Iron Man)

That night Nick Fury visits Tony at home and talks about the “Avengers Initiative.” (Post Credit Scene, Iron Man)

Anton Vanko watches Tony’s press conference on Russian TV and tells his son that (Iron Man) should have been you. He dies, but not before passing on his knowledge and documents to his son. (Iron Man 2)

Agent Coulson single-handedly stops a rouge airman at a Shield Base. (Iron Man 2 Agent Coulsen, exclusive Digiital comic on Marvel.com)

Agent Coulsen helps train a new S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, during which it’s revealed the Ten Rings group never attacked American soil. (Iron Man 2 Agent Coulsen, exclusive Digiital comic on Marvel.com)

S.H.I.E.L.D. agents attack a ship in Yemen that has been commandeered by the Ten Rings group. Iron Man arrives unexpected and helps the S.H.I.E.L.D agents. It is revealed that Tony keeps tabs on Fury, just as Fury keeps tabs on him. (Iron Man 2 Nick Fury, exclusive Digital comic on Marvel.com)

6 months after the Tony reveals he is Iron Man, Ivan Vanko (as Whiplash) and Justin Hammer conspire to kill Iron Man and destroy the Stark legacy. During which James Rhodes dons suit of armor to help his friend Tony, basically becoming War Machine.(Iron Man 2)

Around this time the events of Thor occur, where Thor is banished from Asgard as punishment for is arrogance and foolhardiness. He is separated from his hammer until he becomes worthy to hold it again. He then battles dark forces that threaten Asgard, and to some degree, Earth.  (Thor)

At some unknown time Nick Fury encounters Bruce Banner at a bar, and witnesses him transform into the Hulk. Hulk escapes. Fury determines Hulk is not the Super-solider they want, and orders S.H.I.E.L.D. not to pursue him any further. General Ross alone will pursue Banner. (Nick Fury: Director of Shield. Exclusive Digital Comic on Marvel.com)

The Hulk fights the military at Culver University in Virginia, including the soldier Emil Blonsky. (HULK)

(Note, the Hulk movie came out the same summer as the first Iron Man, two years before Iron Man 2. However,  it takes place just after Iron Man 2. News footage from the Hulks Rampage at Culver University is shown at the end of Iron Man 2)

Tony is offered an advisory position on the coming Avengers team. (Iron Man 2)

Bruce Banner encounters Samuel Sterns in New York city. Stern attempts to cure Hulk, but his lab is raided by the military. Banner is captured, only to be released to fight Emil, who has turned to Abomination. Stern’s himself also appears to get infected with Gamma blood and Hulk escapes. (Hulk)

After the Hulk fights Abomination, Ross drinks at an officer’s bar, distraught over losing Hulk again. Tony Stark arrives and tells him about a secret team being formed. (Hulk)

Captain America is found in the arctic and revived. (Captain America: The First Avenger).

Note this Timeline uses information primarily from the Marvel films, with promotional materials and digital comics secondary. At this time I’m not including most video game tie-ins, as to the best of my knowledge are not reflective of film continuity. I’m also not including the film novelizations, as their information can be contradictory over time.

Also a promotional website says the new Stark expo is in 2010, most movies are assumed to take place the year they come out, however this can grow complicated with sequels. On Joinsheild.com for example, the viral website for Thor, the date of the hammer falling to earth is April of 2011, but it’s known to take place during Iron Man 2. Hence, until I hear otherwise I’m not assigning specific dates to the movies.

1930 September A young orphan, Steve Rogers, is attacked by bullies in Hell’s Kitchen New York. However, Rogers resiliency despite his small stature inspires a young Bucky Barnes to come to his aid and fight the bullies. The two become friends.(Captain America: First Vengeance, Digital Comic #1)

1934 February: Physicist Johann Schmidt meets Hitler at a Wagnerian Opera  in Berlin., where he speculates magic may be “the oldest science ever known ” Hitler is intrigued by  Schmidt’s ideas, but aid Ernst Kaufman is less impressed. Kaufman is head of Sturmabteilung’s special weapons division, which Schmidt says could supplant the German army with it’s advanced arsenal. Schmidt offers to conduct research in Kaufman’s unit, but is violently rejected. Himmler, head of the S.S. overhears the conversation, and takes Schmidt under his wing. (Captain America: First Vengeance, Digital Comic #3)

       June 30th: Hanselbauer Hotel Bad Weissee Bavaria, Schmidt kills Kaufman, and takes over the special weapons division. Schmidt says “You would be a “storm” trooper Kaufman. I will bring them thunder.”  (Captain America: First Vengeance, Digital Comic #3)

1941 Howard Stark presents inventions at the Worlds Fair (Stark Expo Website)

1942 March The Red Skull finds the Tesseract, a cube of strange power, said to be the jewel of Odin’s treasure room, in Tonsberg Norway. (Captain America: The First Avenger)

1943 Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes attend the Worlds Fair, before Bucky goes off the the army. Steve, a 90 pound sickly man, enters the Super Soldier Project where he becomes a semi-superhuman physical specimen. Nazi spies destroy the lab before more soliders can be made. He becomes a propaganda tool known as Captain America, appearing in comics and film. During the next few years, he leads a group of soldiers from the SSR, Strategic Scientific Reserve, to fight Hydra, the Nazi Deep Science Division. (Captain America: The First Avenger)

1944 April Captain America invades a castle in Nazi in the occupied Danish Straits . The castle is controlled by Nazi special weapons unit Hydra. Here Cap fights a Nazi wearing an arc reactor powered battle suit, as well as an arc powered tank. This may be the same adventure featured in the video game Captain America: Super Soldier, were he goes to Bavaria in 1944 to stop the Master Man Project. (Captain America: First Vengeance, Digital Comic #3)

Near End of WWII Captain America hijacks a Hydra super plane that was going to attack the United States. On board was the Tesseract, which falls to the ocean. Captain America crashes the ship into the arctic, where he is frozen in suspended animation until the next century. While searching for Cap, Howard Stark finds the Tesseract under the sea, which presumably is the basis for Arc reactor technology. (Captain America: The First Avenger)

1954 Howard Stark makes first Stark Expo at Flushings New York (Stark Expo Website)

1963  Anton Vanko Defects from the Soviet Union (Iron Man 2)

Date Undertermined. Stark and Anton together develop arc reactor technology, but most of it is theoretical. However, they had an ideological disagreement. Anton wanted to use the researc to make money, and Howard wanted to help humanity with it. (Iron Man 2)

1967 Howard Stark took credit for all Arc Reactor research and Anton was deported back to the U.S.S.R. Because Anton couldn’t develop the technology on his own he’s sent to Siberia for 15 years. (Iron Man 2)

1969/1970 Tony Stark born. (It’s stated elsewhere Tony was 21 in 1991)

1973/74 Tony Stark builds his first circuit board at the age of four. (Iron Man)

1974 The last Stark Expo is held (Stark Expo website, Iron Man 2)

1975/76 Tony Stark at age 6 builds his first engine, apparently the first V-8.(Iron Man)

Tony’s engine is reported in a science magazine, which includes the headline “Will Arc Reactor Save All Our Energy Needs. Later it is stated the arc reactor was not cost effective, and no breakthrough is made for 30 years.

1986/87 Tony Stark graduates Summa Cum Laude from M.I.T at age 17. (Iron Man)

Early December 1991 Howard Stark and his wife are killed in a car accident. Tony Stark, at the age of 21, becomes CEO of Stark Industries. (Iron Man: A newspaper runs the story on 12/17)

Date unknown: Harvard students Bruce Banner and Betty Ross volunteer for induced hallucination experiments. (Hulk)

About 5 years ago (Possible date March 7th). General Ross, Betty Ross, and Bruce Banner attempt to re-activate the WWII super soldier program. An accident occurs and Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk. He becomes a fugitive from the military and seeks a cure. Various sighting and incidents occur in 2004 and 2006 (Hulk)

First Appearance: In name only, Hulk (2008) on film, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Captain America Comics #1 (1941)

History: Dr. Reinstein’s was a German scientist who was working on improving the human body. He rejected offers by the Nazis to research for the military, but was forced by Johann Schmidt to continue his research. He later fled to America where he perfected the Super Soldier Serum, which created Captain America, before being killed by a Nazi spy. His name appears on a cold storage unit for the Weapon Plus serum, which is like a super soldier serum.

Rhodes, Colonel James/War Machine

Played by: Terrance Howard (Iron Man) Don Cheadle (Iron Man 2)

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in comics: Iron Man 118 (1979)

History: Air Force Lia son to Stark Industries, James Rhodes is a long time friend to Tony Stark, and is often frustrated over Stark’s carefree reckless lifestyle. Tony Stark held a birthday party for himself where he got drunk while wearing the Iron Man suit. Concerned over everyone’s safety, Rhodes put on a different suit to try to subdue him. He kept the suit and upgraded it with heavy artillery. As War Machine, he aided Iron Man in battle against Whiplash and Hammer’s robot army.

Powers: The War Machine suit is similar to Iron Man’s but with heavy artillery included.

Rogers, Steve/Captain America

Played By: Chris Evans

First Appearance: Technically, the digital comic Captain America: First Vengeance, on 2/6/11. First film appearance, Captain America, The First Avenger. (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Captain America Comics #1, March 1941

History: Steve Rogers was a 90 pound sickly man whose father died in WWI. Due to strong moral convictions he desperately wanted to join the war effort against the Nazis, despite his physical weakness. These convictions got the attention of Dr. Erskine, who, through the Super Soldier project, turned Rogers into a muscular semi-superhuman. After at first being a propaganda tool, he eventually led a unit in battling Nazis. Late in the war he hijacked an experimental plane on route to attacking America. He crashed the plane into the arctic, where he was frozen until the next century.

Romanoff, Natasha/Black Widow

Played by: Scarlet Johansson

First Appearance: Iron Man 2 (2010)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #52 (1964)

History: Natasha is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who went undercover as Natalie Rushmen to keep tabs on Tony Stark. Her identity was later revealed to Tony and she fought Justin Hammer’s henchmen when Hammer’s robotic soldiers went haywire. She has also been involved in strikes against the Ten Rings terrorist group.

Ross, Elizabeth “Betty”

Played by: Liv Tyler

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Incredible Hulk #1 (1962)

History: Betty attended Harvard with Bruce Banner, where they both volunteered for induced hallucination experiments. Later they both worked at Culver University in Virginia. There they worked on a project for her father General “Thunderbolt” Ross. They thought the project was about radation resistance but it secretly was a rebirth of the WWII bio-tech force enhancement project, or super-soldier program. In an accident Banner became the Hulk and injured Betty. Betty did not see Bruce for 5 years, as he was a fugitive. She had a relationship with psychiatrist Dr. Leonard Samson. However, she united with Bruce and tried to help him find a cure. They were not successful, and Bruce fled again. Betty remains at Culver, and is still estranged from her father.

Ross, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt“

Played by: William Hurt

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Incredible Hulk #1 (1962)

History: General Ross revived the World War Two era bio-tech force enhancement (or super soldier) project. His daughter Dr. Betty Ross, and her boyfriend Bruce Banner worked on the project. However, General Ross told them it was really an experiment on radiation resistance. In an accident Banner became the Hulk, and General Ross and his daughter were injured. During the next 5 years Ross pursued Banner. One soldier under him, Emil Blonsky, encountered the Hulk and wanted to know more. Ross gave Blonsky a batch of super soldier serum, and they fought the Hulk again in Virginia, and captured him in New York. However, Blonsky, mixed Banner’s blood with the serum and became Abomination. Ross let Banner go so he could turn into the Hulk and defeat Abomination. Ross lost the Hulk again and is estranged from his daughter.

After the New York incident Tony Stark met General Ross at a bar. Tony told him of a team being put together.

Samson, Dr. Leonard

Played by” Ty Burrell

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Incredible Hulk #141 (1971)

History: Dr. Samson is a psychiatrist who dated Betty Ross. He learned of Banners return to Culver University and called the authorities. Upon meeting Betty’s father General Ross however, he came to regret that decision, as he could tell the General was lying to him.

Differences from the comics: In the Marvel universe he has green hair and super strength.

Selvig, Erik

Played by Stellan Skarsgard

First Appearance: Thor (2011) Note, this character is unique to film.

Erik Selvig is a sitting professor at Culver University, where he’s studied astrophysics for a decade. He was associated with Jane Fosters now deceased father, (name unknown) and helps Jane with the same research. While conducting that research in New Mexico they encountered Thor of Asgard. Selvig was skeptical of Thor’s claims but knew of Viking Mythology from his own upbringing in Norway. Erik knew Bruce Banner when Banner did Gamma research. All Erik knows of Banner’s current condition is that he disappeared. Selvig continues his research with help from SHIELD.

Schmidt, Johann/Red Skull

Played By: Hugo Weaving

First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Captain America Comics #7, October 1941.

History: Schmidt was a German Physicist who believed the old Viking Mythology touched on an ancient science believed by many to be magic. He became the head of Hydra, the Nazi Deep Science division, and demanded Dr. Erskine continue his research into Super Soldier Serum. Schmidt used an early version of the serum on himself, which deformed his head, making it look like a Red Skull. Later he found the Tesseract, a cube of ancient power once used by Odin. He used this to make super-weapons and battled Captain America. He apparently was sucked into some void via the cube, his fate after that is unknown.

Differences from the Comics: It is a little known fact that technically the first Red Skull was an American business man named George Maxon, who appeared in Captain America Comics #1 in March of 1941.In the comics Scmhidt’s Red Skull is at first a mask. Later, he falls victim to his own biological weapon, called the Dust of Death, giving his head the same appearance.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Strange Tales #135 (1965)

Known members: Nick Fury (Director) Agent Coulsen, and Natasha Romanoff

History: S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division. It is a secret organization that seems to be involved in tracking Super-humans. Howard Stark helped start the organization. They’ve had unknown dealings with super-humans in the past, and are currently developing the Avengers Initiative, which is to be a team of super-heroes. They’ve also been involved in combating the terrorist group known as the Ten Rings, and assist Jane Foster and Erik Selvig with astrophysics research in the hope of reaching the once though mythical realm of Asgard.

Differences from the comics: In the Marvel Universe, S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Division. It also did not form the Avengers, they formed on their own.

Siff

Played By: Jamie Alexander

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #102 March 1964

History: Siff is an Asgardian who accompanies Thor on various adventures.

Stane, Obadiah (Iron Monger)

Played by: Jeff Bridges

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Iron Man #163 (1982)

History: Stane was a lifelong friend of Howard Stark, and helped Tony Stark run Stark Enterprises when Howard died. Tony did not know that Stane was secretly selling Stark weapons to the Ten Rings terrorist group. Stane in fact payed the group to kill Tony when he visited Afghanistan. Tony survived, an a series of related events led him to become Iron Man. Tony soon learned of Stane’s treachery, and fought Stane in California when Stane made his own Iron Man suit (Iron Monger). Stane was killed in the conflict, but the general public is not aware of his death or of his criminal activities.

Powers: The Iron Monger suit was physically larger that Iron Man, and had high caliber weaponry and the ability to fly.

Stark, Howard

Played by: Gerard Sanders (Iron Man) John Slattery (Iron Man 2) Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger)

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008) First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #39. March 1963

History: Howard Stark started Stark Enterprises, which made military weapons in World War Two. At the worlds fair in 1941 he made a presentation of technological advancements. Later he designed Captain America’s shield and costume. He unsuccessfully searched for Captain America who disappeared in the arctic, but on the way found the Tesseract, which is presumably the basis for Arc Reactor technology. In 1954 he began the Stark Expo, similar to the worlds fair. The last Stark Expo was in 1974, in Flushings New York. Stark married a woman named Marie and had a son named Tony, who showed genius at an early age. Around this time, he had a vision of working with scientists from both sides of the Iron Curtain for the betterment of humanity. He and Soviet scientist Anton Vanko, made theoretical developments in arc reactor technology, which possibly could have solved the energy crisis. He and Vanko had ideological disagreements, and Vanko ended up going back the the U.S.S.R. Arc reactor research came to a dead end. Stark on paper discovered a new element, and made a diorama of the 1974 Stark Expo, that held a code in it’s design. Some 30 years later, Tony Stark discovered the code, and with current technology, made the new element. Howard and his wife died in a car crash in December of 1991.

Stark, Tony/Iron Man

Played By: Robert Downey Jr.

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in Comic Books: Tales of Suspense #39 (1963)

History: Tony Stark is the son of Howard Stark, whose company Stark Industries provided weapons to the U.S. military since WWII. Tony is a born genius, who built his first circuit board at age 4, and at six built his first engine. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from M.I.T. at 17. In December of 1991 his parents died in a car crash, and at age 21 he took control of the company, with the help of Obadiah Stane. Stane was a lifelong friend of Howard. From there Tony grew in celebrity status and gained a reputation as a playboy.

Around 20 years later Tony was kidnapped by terrorists when he went to Afghanistan to demonstrate a new weapon. His convoy was attacked and he was wounded, with shrapnel floating close to his heart. Another captive, Yinsen, planted a small magnet in his chest to keep him alive. The two were ordered to make a new weapon. Tony secretly developed a small arc reactor, which was an energy source his father had worked on. The reactor powered an armored suit he designed to escape the terrorists, which he did.

Upon returning to America he announced that his company would no longer make weapons, which led him to clash with Stane. Stark soon learned that Stane had arranged his kidnapping, which in fact was suppose to be an assasination. Stane built his own armor suit and was defeated by Iron Man at a Stark factory in California.

The battle was witnessed by the general public, so the espionage group S.H.I.E.L.D provided an alibi for Tony which he was to use at a press conference. On a whim Tony revealed that he was in fact Iron Man, which only furthered his celebrity.

That night S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury came to Stark’s home to tell him about the Avengers Initiative.

6 months later Ivan Vankov, who made his own power suit, tried to kill Tony in Monaco. It was revealed that Ivan’s father Anton worked with Howard Stark, whom he had a falling out with. Ivan blamed the Stark family for his families misfortune. Business rival Justin Hammer secretly recruited Ivan to help build more Iron Man suits. Iron Man, and his partner James Rhoads/War Machine defeated Justin Ivan.

After this Nick Fury met with Tony again, telling him Iron Man was to on the Avengers, but Tony himself would be an adviser. Tony then met with General “Thunderbolt” Ross, after he’d lost pursuit of the Hulk. Tony told General Ross that a special team was being built.

Powers: The Iron Man suit makes the wearer a one man army. It’s capable of jet-speed flight through the use of repulsion rays that can also serve as weaponry. Also included are various weapon and targeting systems, communications, and scanning abilities. The suit is always being upgraded.

Differences from the Comics: The original comics had Tony’s origin in Vietnam, as the comic came out in the 1960s.

Stern, Samuel (The Leader)

Played by: Tim Blake Nelson

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in comics: Tales to Astonish #62 (1964)

History: Sterns was in the Department of Cell Biology at Grayburn College in New York city. He was also known as Mr. Blue, when he communicated via email to fugitive Bruce Banner about Banner’s blood condition. Banner comes to New York and they attempt a cure. Banner was not aware that Sterns was also using a blood sample he’d previously sent to do other experiments. Soon after meeting Banner General Ross and his soldiers came and took Banner away. Emil Blonksy, one of those soldiers, had a super soldier serum in his body. Upon seeing Stern’s experiments, Emil told Stern he wanted what Banner had. Stern experimented on Emil, who became, what Stern called an Abomination. Sterns lab was wrecked, and some of Banner’s blood plasma fell into an open wound, bringing a metamorphosis in Stern. His present condition and whereabouts are unknown.

Differences from the Comics: In the comics he was a janitor at a chemical plant in Boise Idaho. The plant had an accident and he was exposed to gamma radiation, which turned his body green and gave him super intelligence.

Ten Rings

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

History: This is a terrorist organization with operatives from all around Asia. Obadiah Stane secretly sold Stark weapons to them, and arranged for Stark to be killed when he visited Afghanistan. However, when they realized Tony Stark was their target they held him for ransom. These events led to Tony becoming Iron Man. The ten rings have since clashed with Iron Man in Afghanistan, as well as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in Yemen and elsewhere. To date they have not struck on American soil.

Differences from the comics: There is not a Ten Rings terrorist group in the Marvel Universe, but the name is a reference to the Iron Man villain Mandarin, who has ten powerful rings.

Thor

Played by Chris Hemsworth

First Appearance; Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #83, August 1962

History: Thor is the Norse god of thunder, and son of Odin. Due to his arrogance and foolishness he was banished to Earth by Odin. There he was separated from his hammer until he became worthy. While on earth he met astrophysicist Jane Foster.

Differences from the Comics: While on Earth Thor took the civilian identity of Dr. Donald Blake. In the movie Dr. Blake was a former boyfriend of Jane Foster.

Vanko, Anton

Played by: Yevgeni Lazarev

First Appearance: Iron Man 2 (2010)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #46 (1963)

History: Anton was a Soviet scientist who worked with Howard Stark over Arc reactor technology. However, the two had ideological differences, as Howard wanted the technology for humanitarian reasons, and Anton wanted to use it to get rich. As a result he was sent back to the Soviet Union. Unable to make the technology on his own, he was imprisoned in Siberia for 15 years. By the time Tony Stark announced to the world he was Iron Man, Anton was very ill and close to death. Before dying, he gave Ivan his scientific papers. Ivan then sought to avenge his family.

Differences from the comics: In the Marvel universe, he was the Soviet version of Iron Man, known as Crimson Dynamo.

Vanko, Ivan/Whiplash

Played by: Mickey Rourke

First Appearance: Iron Man 2 (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Iron Man #146 (1981)

History: Ivan is the son of scientist Anton Vanko. Himself a physicist, he was arrested trying to sell Soviet era weapons grade plutonium to Pakistan. For this he served 15 years in Kopeisk Prison. Before Anton’s death, around the same time Tony Stark told the world he was Iron Man, he revealed to Ivan he once worked with Stark on Arc reactor technology. He had a falling out over ideological differences. He passed his knowledge and scientific papers onto Ivan. Ivan spent the next six months developing his own power suit with electric whips that could cut through steel. He attempted to kill Tony Stark, and together with Tony’s business rival Justin Hammer, conspired to kill Stark and ruin his legacy. Ivan died fighting Iron Man and War Machine, but not before the Stark Expo pavilion was destroyed.

Powers: His original suit had electric whips that could slice through steel. The suit did not cover his whole body. Later he made a more powerful full bodied suit.

Differences from the Comics: Whiplash was first known as Backlash, and his civilian identity was Mark Scarlotti.

Volstagg

Played By: Ray Stevenson

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #119 August 1965

History: Volstagg is an Asgardian who accompanied Thor on many adventures.

Warlock’s Eye

First  Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Asgard #131 (1966)

History: The Warlock’s Eye briefly appeared in Odin’s treasure room. In the comics it was stolen by Thor and the Warriors 3 from Harokin.

Wilson, Jim

Played By: P. J. Kerr

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: The Incredible Hulk #131 (1970)

History: Jim Wilson is a Sophomore at Culver University and, along with Jim McGee, witnessed the Hulk fight the military on campus. When interviewed by local media, he described the monster as a “Hulk”.

Differences from the Comics: Jim Wilson in the comics was a long time friend of the Hulk and Bruce Banner.

Yinsen

Played by: Shaub Toub

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #39 (1963)

History: Yinsen once met Tony Stark at a conference in Bern Switzerland. He met him again when they were both captured by the Ten Rings terrorist group. Tony was wounded, with shrapnel closing in on his heart. Yinsen put a magnet in his chest to keep him alive. While the terrorists wanted the to build weapons, they instead worked on an armored suit so they could escape. Tony was encouraged by Yinsen to be a better  person, and make his life count for something. Yinsen died in the escape, but had not planned to survive anyway. His family in the fictional Afghan village of Gulmira was killed by the Ten Rings. Yin wanted to meet his family in death.

Differences from the comics: In the movie he’s from Afghanistan, and only known as Yinsen. Iron Man’s origin story has him in Vietnam, where he’s known as Ho Yinsen.

Zola, Arnim

Played By: Toby Jones

First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger

First Appearance in Comics: Captain America #208, April 1977.

History: Zola is a scientist who works for Hydra, the Nazi deep science division. He helps develop super science weapons before being captured by the Americans. He is also apparently the first to understand the human genome.

Differences from the comics: Later in the comics he gets a suit of armor.

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

This is an experimental form of seemingly limitless energy. It was developed by Howard Stark and his Russian colleague Anton Vanko, presumably through the use of the Tesseract, which Stark recovered at the end of or after WWII. Most of the technology was theoretical. A large reactor using this technology was in a Stark factory in California, but it was destroyed in a fight between Iron Man and Iron Monger. Apparently it was not cost effective, and no breakthroughs were made for since the 1970s. Tony Stark managed to make a small arc reactor device while in captivity in Afghanistan, which powers his Iron Man suit.

Avengers Initiative:

First Mention: Iron Man, post credit scene. (2008)

The Avengers Initiative is overseen by Nick Fury, and is a plan for a team of super-heroes. Nick Fury revealed that he wants Iron Man on the team, but Tony Stark is to be an adviser. Stark talked to General “Thunderbolt” Ross about this special team as well. Nothing else is (in continuity) known at this time, except the team presumably will be Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and possibly others.

Banner, Bruce (The Incredible Hulk)

Played by: Edward Norton

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in comics: Incredible Hulk #1 1962

History: Banner is a  Harvard graduate who worked on experiments at Culver University in Virginia. He worked with his girlfriend, Dr. Betty Ross, on what he thought were experiments on radiation resistance. Betty’s father, General “Thunderbolt” Ross, was in charge of the project, which secretly was bio tech force enhancement, or a revived super-soldier project from WWII. An accident occurred, after which, whenever Banner’s pulse quickened through anger or stress, he became a giant green monster called the Hulk. Betty was severely injured by the Hulk, and Banner became a fugitive for 5 years. Various incidents occurred while on the run. He is blamed for the deaths of 2 scientists, a military officer, an Idaho State Trooper, and 2 Canadian Hunters.

For 5 months Banner worked at a bottle plant in South America, while looking for a rare flower that might cure him. He also practiced breathing and relaxing techniques with a jujitsu master (One of the Gracies actually). In the meantime he communicated via computer with a “Mr Blue” about his condition. Ross found Banner and Bruce then fled to America. There he re-united with his girlfriend and found “Mr. Blue” who was New York professor Samuel Stern. Stern attempted to cure Banner when his lab was raided by Ross’s soldiers, one of them being Emil Blonsky. Banner was captured, but Blonsky used Stern’s lab to become a gamma beast himself (Abomination). Ross released Banner so he could become the Hulk and defeated Abomination, then fled. He is last known to be in Bella Coola, British Columbia, in Canada. He apparently now has some control over his Hulk form.

I also want to note that when in Harvard he and Betty volunteered for induced hallucination experiments.

Powers: When Banner is the Hulk he has an incredible amount of strength, endurance, and invulnerability. He can leap great distances, and has some limited speech. He is vulnerable to sonar attacks.

Blonsky, Emil (Abomination) 

Played by: Tim Roth

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in comics: Tales to Astonish #90, 1967

History: Born in Russia and raised in England, he joined General Ross’s army to hunt the fugitive Bruce Banner. Upon seeing Banner turn to the Hulk, he asked Ross to tell him what Banner was. Ross informed him of a WWII super soldier project he’d revived, and offered to give Blonsky the experimental serum. He took it, and gained great athletic ability, still after his next encounter with the Hulk he was crippled. Thanks to the serum he had a miraculous recovery. He captured Banner in New York, in the laboratory of Professor Stern. Stern was working on experiments with Bruce’s blood and tried to cure Banner. Emil had Stern mix Banners blood with the serum already in his body and became another monster, (Abomination). He challenged the Hulk but was defeated. He is presumed to be in military and/or S.H.I.E.L.D. custody at the moment.

Powers: Abomination is possibly stronger than the Hulk, Blonsky can completely control this form.

Difference from the comics: In the comics he was a Russian agent.

Carter, Peggy

Played By: Hayley Atwell

First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

First Appearance in comics:

History: Peggy is apparently an English lia-son  for America’s SSR, Scientific Strategic Reserve. She helps Captain America and a team of soldiers fight Hydra, the Nazi deep science division, during WWII.

Differences from the Comics: In the comics she was a member of the French Resistance during WWII.

Coulson, Phil

Played By: Clark Gregg

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008) Note, this character is unique to film.

History: Agent Coulson is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who was assigned to Tony Stark when he became Iron Man. He also operated at a base in New Mexico investigating Thor’s hammer which fell there from Asgard and was immovable.

Eternal Flame 

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in comics.: Thor #349 (1984)

History: This item in briefly seen in Odin’s Treasure room. In the comics  Thor and Odin stole this from the Demon Surtur so Surtur could not light his sword on fire and destroy Asgard.

Eye of Agamotto

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Strange Tales #115 (1963)

History: The Eye of Agamotto appears briefly in Odin’s treasure room. It is a mystical item used by sorcerer Dr. Strange, named after a previous sorcerer.

Fandral

Played By: Joshua Dallas

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #119, August1965

History: Fandral is an Asgardian and friend of Thor who accompanied Thor on many adventures.

Frigga: 

Played By: Rene Russo

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #92, May1963

History: Frigga is Odin’s wife and mother to Thor.

Foster, Jane:

Played By: Natalie Portman

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #84, September 1962

History: Jane Foster studies Physics at Culver University, where her father previously worked. She did Post Doctorate work in Astrophysics, and applied for a grant to study particle phenomenon in New Mexico. She formerly dated a Dr. Donald Blake. In New Mexico she met Thor, who was banished from Asgard and separated from his hammer. After Thor returned to Asgard, Foster continued her research with cooperation from SHIELD, and attempts to find a way to get to Asgard.

Differences From the Comics: Jane Foster was a nurse who met Thor’s Earth-bound identity Dr. Donald Blake.

Fury, Nick:

Played By: Samuel L. Jackson

First appearance: Iron Man-post credit scene. (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Sergeant Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 (1963)

Ultimate Fury first appearance: Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #5. (2001)

History:  Not much is currently known about Nick Fury. He’s director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and spoke to Tony Stark personally about the Avenger Initiative. He wants Iron Man on the Avengers but wants Tony Stark  to be just an adviser. He has an eye patch and scars over his left eye, due to an unknown injury.

Differences from comics: Ultimate Fury was designed to look like Samuel L. Jackson, who ultimately plays him on film. In the Ultimate Universe Fury lost his eye to Wolverine of the X-men. The movie version has his claw scars by his missing eye, but the film rights to Wolverine are owned by Fox. Hence no references to Wolverine will be made in the Marvel Movie Universe in the foreseeable future.

Hammer, Justin

Played by: Sam Rockwell

First appearance: Iron Man 2 (2010)

First Appearance in comics: Iron Man #120 (1979)

History: Hammer is a younger much less hip version of Tony Stark. A rival business man Hammer tried to replicate the Iron Man technology for the government. He secretly had the assistance of Ivan Vanko (Whiplash) and build an army of robots that he debuted at the Stark expo. He was arrested after the robots attacked the expo causing massive destruction.

Difference from the comics: The comics have him older and British.

Howling Commandos

First Appearance:Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Sergeant Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 May 1963. (Different characters first appearances will be listed below.)

Members:

James”Bucky” Barnes (Captain America Comics #1, March 1941) Played by Stan Sebastian

Jacques Dernier (Sergeant Fury and his Howling Commandos #21 August 1965) Played by Bruno Ricci.

“Dum Dum” Dugan Played by Neal McDonough.

James Montgomery Falsworth (The Invaders #7 July 1976) Played by J. J. Field.

Gabe Jones, played by Derek Luke

Jim Morita (Sergent Fury and his Howling Commandos, #38 January 1967) Played by Kenneth Choi

History: After Captain America freed the above men from a secret Hydra base, he personally picked them as his team to fight Hydra. Note, they are not actually called Howling Commandos in the film, and in the tie in video game Captain America: Super Soldier, they’re mistakenly called The Invaders, which was a WWII superhero team with Captain America, Namor, the Original Human Torch, and others.

Differences from the comics: In the comics Nick Fury led the team. Additional members included  Robert “Rebel” Ralston, Dino Manelli, Isadore “Izzy” Cohen, Jonathan “Junior” Juniper, Percival “Pinky” Pinkerton, Eric Koenig, and many others.Not included were James Barnes, who instead was Captain America’s sidekick Bucky, and James Falsworth, who was the British costumed hero Union Jack.

Heimdall

Played By: Idris Elba

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

Journey Into Mystery #85 October 1962

History: Heimdall is an Asgardian who guards the gateway between Asgard and the other 9 realms.

Hogan (Happy)

Played by: Jon Favreau (Who also directed Iron Man 1 and 2)

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #45 (1963)

History: Hogan is the chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark.

Hogun

Played By: Tadanobu Asano

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #119 August 1965 History:

Hogun is a life long friend of Thor and accompanied him on many adventures.

Infinity Gauntlet

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Avengers Annual #7 (1977)

History: The Infinity Gauntlet briefly appears in Odin’s treasure room. The Infinity Gauntlet contains 6 infinity gems of incredible power. It should be noted that the book The Art of Thor shows a closer look at it, and it appears not all of the gems are present. The Power, Mind, and possibly time gems are included, but the reality, space, and soul gems are missing.

Jones, Rick

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First Appearance in comics: Incredible Hulk #1 May 1962

History: Rick Jones has not appeared on film but his name was visible on a document as a student at Culver University, where Banner worked and became the Hulk.

Differences from the Comics: He’s a bigger character in the comics, as he’s a friend of Banner and the Hulk.

Kruger, Heinz

Played By: Richard Armitage

First Appearance: Captain America: First Vengeance

First Appearance in Comics Captain America Comics #1, March 1941. (Named in Captain America 109, January 1969)

History: Kruger is a Nazi/Hydra spy who assassinates Dr. Erskine after Rogers became Captain America. Rogers pursues him but Kruger kills himself before he could be captured.

Laufey

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #112 (January 1965)

Played By: Colm Feore

History: Laufey is King of the Frost Giants who has an uneasy peace with Odin of Asgard.

Lewis, Darcy

Played By: Kat Dannings

First Appearance: Thor (2011) Note, original film character.

History: Darcy Lewis is a poli-sci major who interns with Jane Foster on her astrophysics research.

Loki

Played By: Tom Hiddleston

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Journey Into Mystery #85 October 1962

Note: Technically his first Marvel comic was the then Timely publication Venus #6, October of 1949. However, the Marvel Universe as we know it didn’t exist at this time.

History: Loki was of the race of Frost Giants, but, unbeknown-st to him, was adopted by Odin of Asgard as a baby. Always jealous of older brother Thor, Loki manipulated a series of events to become King of Asgard. He was thwarted by Thor and banished to Earth, where he currently plots his revenge. It was during the course of these events that he learned of his adoption.

McGee, Jack

First Appearance: Hulk (2008)

First appearance else-where: The Incredible Hulk TV series pilot. (1977)

History: Mr. McGee is a Sophomore at Culver University in Virginia, and witnessed the Hulk fight the military on campus. He’s also a college journalist.

Media Note: This was a nod to the 1970s TV show, where his character debuted. McGee in the TV show was a reporter who tried to expose the Hulk. This sets up Bruce Banner’s famous line, “Mr McGee, don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

Odin

Played By: Anthony Hopkins

First Appearance: Thor (2011)

Journey Into Mystery #85 October 1962

History: Odin is the ruler of the mythical realm of Asgard. He and his army once saved Earth from the Frost Giants, whom they warred with. Odin slayed the Frost Giant King, and in battle lost an eye. After the war he adopted an abandoned Frost Giant baby he’d found. He raised the baby to be his son, Loki. He and wife Frigga also had a son named Thor. Thor grew to be headstrong and arrogant, and was banished to Earth by Odin to learn humility.

Phiilips, Chester, COL:

Played By: Tommy Lee Jones

First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #63, March 1965

History:  Colonel Chester Phillips led the Strategic Scientific Reserve in WWII, set up to fight Hydra. He oversaw the Super Soldier Project which led to the creation of Captain America.

Differences from the comics: In the comics he was a General.

Potts, Virginia “Pepper”

Played by: Gwynth Paltrow

First Appearance: Iron Man (2008)

First Appearance in Comics: Tales of Suspense #45 (1963)

History: “Pepper” Potts is Stark’s most trusted aid. She helps run the affairs of Stark Industries. Tony appointed her CEO of Stark Industries, but she soon resigned after a disaster at the Stark Expo.

Released:   2008

Budget: 150 million

Gross: 263 million

Marvel Character Cast:

Bruce Banner/Hulk: Edward Norton (Lou Ferrigno voices the Hulk and has a cameo)

Elizabeth “Betty” Ross: Liv Tyler

General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross: William Hurt

Emil Blonsky/Abomination: Tim Roth

Doctor Leonard Samson: Ty Burrell

Samuel Sterns/Leader Tim Blake Nelson

Synopsis:

Bruce Banner, while doing a military research experiment, has an accident that effects his body chemistry. Now when his heart rate increases to fast in times of stress or anger, he becomes a giant green monster known as the Hulk. In the process he injures fellow scientist and girlfriend Betty Ross, whose father General Ross oversaw the project. Banner becomes a fugitive and tries to find a cure, while on the run from Ross and the army. General Ross attempts to turn Emil Blonsky into a super-soldier to fight the Hulk, with abominable results.

Marvel Universe References:

In the opening montage we see several documents and newspaper clippings. The names Nick Fury and Rick Jones flash on the screen, as does the logo for Stark Industries.

General Ross tells Emil that in World War Two there was a super soldier program, referred to as bio-tech force enhancement. The project was abandoned for unknown reasons but Ross revived it. Banner was helping with this but didn’t realize it. 

In another scene Ross takes some old super soldier serum out of cold storage. On the storage unit it says Weapon Plus Program, Dr. Reinstein. It also as a Stark Logo on it.

Also of note is Jack McGee appears as a college journalist. This was a reporter character from the TV series. He is onscreen with Jim Wilson, who in the comics was a friend of the Hulk.

Release Date: July 22 2011

Budget: 140 Million

Gross:  368 Million

Marvel Cast of Characters

Captain America/Steve Rogers: Chris Evans

Red Skull: Hugo Weaving

Bucky Barnes: Sebastian Shaw

Dr. Abraham Erskine: Stanley Tucci

Peggy Carter: Hayley Atwell

Arnim Zola: Toby Jones

Col. Chester Phillips: Tommy Lee Jones

Dum Dum Dugan: Neal McDonough

Howard Stark: Dominic Cooper

Nick Fury: Samuel Jackson

Synopsis: 90 Pound weakling Steve Rogers takes part in an experiment during WWII to become a super soldier. After the experiment he becomes Captain America and battles Hydra, the Nazi deep science division.

Marvel Movie Connections:

The Tesseract, the object of power sought by the Red Skull, is referred to as ‘the gem of Odin’s treasure room.” The place he finds it also has a carving of the World Tree, from Viking Mythology (and seen in the movie Thor). The Tesseract’s location also appears to be an ancient Viking stronghold.

At the World’s Fair we see and exhibit for professor Horton’s Synthetic Man, which is a man in a bubble wearing a red outfit. This is the original Human Torch, who appeared in the very first Marvel Comic in 1939. This is also interesting as the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch was played  by Chris Evans, the star of this film. Also, to date the rights to Fantastic Four are with 20th Century Fox, which currently limits how much the original synthetic Human Torch can be on film, or at least referred to as the Human Torch.

Howard Stark, Tony Stark/Iron Man’s father, plays a prominent role in the film. He designs Captain America’s final uniform, weapons, and Shield.

Captain America works with the SSR, Strategic Scientific Reserve, possibly a precursor to S.H.I.E.L.D.

 My review of this movie can be found here

Released:  May 6 2011

May 6 2011 

Budget: 150 Million

Gross: 448 Million

Marvel Cast of Characters

Thor: Chris Hemsworth

Odin: Anthony Hopkins

Jane Foster: Natalie Portman

Loki: Tom Hiddleston

Sif: Jamie Alexander

Fandral: Joshua Dallas

Hogun: Tadanobu Asano

Volstagg: Ray Stevenson

Heimdall: Idris Elba

Frigga: Renne Russo

Synopsis: Thor, of the mythical real of Asgard, is banished by his father Odin for his foolishness. He is sent to Earth to learn the value of humility. He then learns of dark forces that threaten Asgard, and, to some degree, Earth.

Marvel Movie Universe Connections:

In Odin’s treasure room are various mystical objects from the Marvel Universe. Very briefly we see the Eternal Flame, the Infinity Gauntlet, Warlock’s Eye, and the Orb of Agamotto, which is from the Dr. Strange comics. There are two other items present but they’re identities are debatable.

One of Dr. Fosters assistants knew Bruce Banner, and that he disappeared after doing experiments with Gamma radiation.

Hawkeye appears at the Shield base built around Thor’s hammer.

The Tesseract/Cosmic Cube appears in the post credit scene.

My review of the Thor movie is here

Released: 2010

Budget: 200million

Gross: 623 million

Marvel Cast of Characters:

Tony Stark/Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr.

Lt Colonel James Rhodes: Don Cheadle

Virginia “Pepper” Potts: Gwyneth Paltrow

Voice of J.A.R.V.I.S: Paul Bettany

Ivan Vanko/Whiplash: Mickey Rourke

Justin Hammer: Sam Rockwell

Nick Fury: Samuel L Jackson

Black Widow/Natalie Rushmen: Scarlett Johanahsson

Happy Hogan: Jon Favreau

Anton Vanko: Yevgeni Lazarev

Agent Coulsen also returns, who is played by Clark Gregg

Synopsis:

An old Rival to the Stark family builds a power suit to kill Tony Stark. Meanwhile the U.S. government wants the Iron Man suit, but Tony Stark refuses to turn it over. Business rival Justin Hammer attempts to replicate Iron Man technology for the government. 

Marvel Movie References:

Howard Stark helped start Shield.

Captain America’s shield is again seen in Tony’s workshop.

An Avengers Initiative folder is seen, but it’s contents are unknown. Nick Fury tells Stark he wants Iron Man on the Avengers, but Tony Stark is to be an adviser.

During this meeting between Stark and Nick Fury, news footage from the Incredible Hulk film is playing on TV. Another screen has a world map with various circles at different locations. Each circle is presumably something in the Marvel Universe. The circles in LA, NYC, and New Mexico are for Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor respectively. One in Europe, one in Africa, (possible Wakanda) and one in the Atlantic Ocean.

In the post credit scene, Shield agents found Thor’s hammer in the desert of New Mexico.