Marvel just killed off one of the OG MCU characters and fans are heartbroken

It’s always a heartbreaking moment when a beloved character dies unexpectedly in our favourite forms of entertainment, and the MCU is no exception.

Before we proceed, please be advised that I will be going into major spoilers for the first two episodes of the new Disney+ series, Secret Invasion. So if you plan on watching this series and haven't watched episode one or two, it might be wise not to read on.

Right, now that the spoiler warning is out of the way, let’s continue.

“In Secret Invasion, set in the present-day MCU, Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls,” reads the synopsis. “Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill, and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.”

Secret Invasion consists of six episodes streamed weekly on Disney+ every Wednesday. In episode one ‘Resurrection’, Agent Maria Hill played by Cobie Smulders is killed by a Skrull in its final moments, shocking fans. Smulders has played the role of Maria Hill since Avengers in 2011 and as such, has formed a lasting bond with the audience. So the character's death certainly does not come lightly.

In the second episode ‘Promises’ which aired this week, the death of the beloved character really hit home when she was given a secret funeral by the US Armed Forces with loyal colleague and friend, Nick Fury in attendance.

Fans across social media have been reacting accordingly to the visualisation of Maria Hill’s coffin in episode two. “If you have told my 11-year-old self that she was going to watch Maria Hill’s coffin, she would have never believed it,” exclaimed @jediagents. “At 22 I still didn't believe I was going to see Maria Hill’s death. Not joking when I tell you I'm feeling emotionally drained with this.”

“I just can't get over Maria Hill's Death...It had so many reasons to Hit hard,” said @BE1NGREASONABLE.

Twitter account @multiversegifs, simply shared a clip of the heartbreaking moment.

Being the somewhat cautiously optimistic person that I am, it’s always important to not always believe what you see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially when it involves the Skrull. Sure, Maria Hill’s death looks definitive, but a part of me wants to believe that her death was staged to make others believe that she’s gone for whatever reason or perhaps she’s actually dead and she’s playing Galaga with Tony Stark.

In related news, Secret Invasion is currently the second-lowest Marvel TV debut on Disney+.