Read it First - The Origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

After his daughter develops a rare heart disease, recent parolee Scott Lang considers returning to a life of crime to pay for her treatment. When he breaks into the house of Henry Pym, he finds Pym’s Ant-Man costume and soon masters its revolutionary shrinking technology, changing his life forever. Scott Lang’s origin story as Ant-Man was originally published in the comic Marvel Premiere #47 and can now be found in Ant-Man: Scott Lang. The 2015 film adaptation, starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas, was directly inspired by the original comic. 

Ordered by Death to fix an imbalance of life and death in the universe, Thanos seeks out the Infinity Gems to create the unstoppable Infinity Gauntlet. He uses this immense power to immediately kill half the population of the universe. But when the gauntlet is stolen from him by his evil granddaughter Nebula, he teams up with the Marvel heroes to bring her down and undo the damage he has done. The Infinity Gauntlet was one of the most popular and influential comic book storylines of its time. Though there are significant changes to the plot, the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War took many elements of the original comic as inspiration and ended up as the fourth highest grossing film of all time. 

Though he did not create the character, Christopher Priest’s Black Panther run is considered the definitive portrayal of the king of Wakanda. From his exploits in America with political attache Everett Ross to the political turmoil and tribal traditions of his native Wakanda, Priest built T’Challa as a powerful warrior and intelligent leader. His run lasted 62 issues and introduced some of the most iconic elements of Wakandan culture. The 2018 film Black Panther was heavily influenced by Priest’s series, bringing to the screen Priest’s iconic characters, including the Dora Milaje, Everett Ross, Okoye and the villain Killmonger. 

Written by Mark Millar and drawn by Steve McNiven, Civil War: Captain America pits superhero against superhero in a crossover series. After the government passes the Superhero Registration Act, Iron Man and Captain America find themselves on opposite sides of this new regulation. The comics explore the conflict between freedom and security as Stark and his S.H.I.E.L.D. strike force hunt down Captain America and other unregistered superheroes. The 2016 film, Captain America: Civil War takes much of its plotline directly from the original comic. You can check out the film on DVD with your library card today.

After waking up from being frozen in the ice of the North Atlantic, Steve Rogers is haunted by the death of his friend and ally Bucky Barnes. Years later when he recognizes Bucky in the face of the infamous assassin the Winter Soldier, Captain America is determined to do everything he can to free his friend from brainwashing at the hands of Soviet operatives. The 2014 film adaptation, Captain America: Winter Soldier can be checked out on DVD with your library card today.

Doctor Stephen Strange is a talented surgeon who cares only for the wealth and prestige his skill provides him. When a terrible car accident ruins his hands, he refuses to believe his career is over. After hearing rumors of the healing powers of the Ancient One, he travels to a sanctuary in India to seek a cure. There he finds magic, mystery and something that may heal more than his broken hands. Originally published as a secondary story in the comic Strange Tales #115, Doctor Strange’s origin story can now be found in Doctor Strange Masterworks Vol. 1. The 2016 film Doctor Strange is an adaptation of the original comic. 

After the events of the comic Annihilation: Conquest in which the technologically advanced Phalanx use the Kree army in an attempt to take over the universe, a rag-tag team of heroes emerges. Calling themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Mantis and more band together to proactively protect the galaxy from any and all threats. The Guardians lineup may look a little different but director James Gunn’s two films Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 take inspiration from this 2008 comic series. 

Written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Adi Granov, Iron Man’s Extremis story arc retconned Tony Stark’s origin as Iron Man from Vietnam to the modern day Middle East. While on an inspection tour of his weapons in Afghanistan, Stark is hit by shrapnel from one of his own bombs and captured by terrorists. To save himself, he creates the first ever Arc Reactor, a device that powers the Iron Man suit and keeps the shrapnel from piercing his heart. Meanwhile, a rival sets loose a dangerous serum named Extremis, turning everyday people into super soldiers.

Elements of Warren Ellis’ Extremis story arc can be found in all three Iron Man films. From Iron Man’s new origin story to his rival’s development of a super soldier serum that threatens to wreak havoc on the world. You can check out the Iron Man films on DVD with your library card today: Iron Man 1; Iron Man 2; Iron Man 3.

After it is determined that Hulk is too dangerous to remain on Earth, he is forcibly sent off planet where he enters a wormhole and lands on the planet Sakaar. There he finds himself affixed with an obedience disk and forced to fight in gladiator battles for the amusement of the Red King. But nothing and no one can keep Hulk against his will. The 2017 film Thor: Ragnarok, which took major plot points from Planet Hulk, starred Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thomspon, Mark Ruffalo and Tom Hiddleston and was the ninth highest grossing film of the year.