The Avengers are a fictional team of superheroes and the protagonists of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film franchise, based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Founded by S.H.I.E.L.D Director Nick Fury, the team is a United States-based organization composed of enhanced and gifted individuals committed to the world's protection from a variety of threats. The Avengers are depicted as operating in the state of New York; originally operating from the Avengers Tower in Midtown Manhattan and subsequently from the Avengers Compound in Upstate New York. The concept of the Avengers was teased in the post-credits scene of Iron Man, the first MCU film, by Nick Fury as an initiative planned by him.