The year was 2012. Marvel Studios was on top of the world—literally. The movie “The Avengers” was dominating virtually every market in every region. In just a few short years, the movie studio had created a cultural behemoth that for the rest of the decade would become, outside of sports, perhaps the closest the planet has ever come, or will ever come, to a worldwide shared viewing experience.
It is easy to see why: “The Avengers” was monstrous in ambition, budget and spectacle. It was dramatic, funny, exciting and engrossing.
It was also exceptionally American—in representation, culture and perspective.