Director Maria Hill

Few figures in Marvel's Modern Age carry authority quite like Director Maria Hill — a sharp, no-nonsense presence who stepped onto the page in 2006's Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #2, brought to life by writer Zeb Wells and artist Stefano Caselli right in the thick of one of Marvel's most consequential storylines. Her catalog appearances span series including S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where she keeps formidable company — sharing pages with the likes of Agent Phil Coulson, Hawkeye, Vision, and Agents Fitz and Simmons. She's the kind of character who commands a room the moment she enters it, and for fans who love the grounded, espionage-driven side of the Marvel Universe, Director Hill is absolutely worth tracking down.