Icons Unearthed: Marvel

In the decades preceding the current Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel struggled through box office flops like Howard the Duck, corporate skullduggery and bankruptcy.

Marvel risks everything betting it all on a second-tier character called Iron Man; Kevin Feige takes control of the fledgling Marvel Studios, hoping to build up to The Avengers.

The Incredible Hulk seems like a safe bet but struggles between the actors and the studio threatens to derail the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Kevin Feige assembles his team and maps out the road to the Avengers; Marvel must figure out how to integrate Thor into the world of Iron Man, as well as create a worthy villain.

Only one superhero story remained to get to the Avengers: Captain America. The studio convinces star Chris Evans to return to the world of superhero movies.

The Avengers was already underway, but with new corporate leadership under Disney, Feige's plan would be put to the test.