13. Iron Man

Appearances: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008–)

Creators: Stan Lee, Don Heck, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber

Performer: Robert Downey Jr.

Defining moment: At a press conference to deny that he is Iron Man, Tony Stark leans into the mic and announces: “I am Iron Man.” It’s the move of a billionaire genius playboy philanthropist, and narcissist, and dispensed with all that secret identity baloney right off the bat.

Fascinating fact: Iron Man had been years in development, with Nicolas Cage and Tom Cruise linked to the role.

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