Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. He made his first appearance in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963).
An American billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer, Tony Stark suffers a severe chest injury during a kidnapping in which his captors attempt to force him to build a weapon of mass destruction. He instead creates a powered suit of armor to save his life and escape captivity. He later uses the suit and successive versions to protect the world as Iron Man. Through his corporation ― Stark Industries ― Tony has created many military weapons, some of which, along with other technological devices of his making, have been integrated into his suit, helping him fight crime. Initially, Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes, particularly the role of American technology and business in the fight against communism. Subsequent re-imaginings of Iron Man have transitioned from Cold War themes to contemporary concerns, such as corporate crime and terrorism.
Throughout most of the character's publication history, Iron Man has been a member of the superhero team the Avengers and has been featured in several incarnations of his own various comic book series. Iron Man has been adapted for several animated TV shows and films. The character is portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. in the live action film Iron Man (2008), which was a critical and box office success. Downey, who received much acclaim for his performance, reprised the role in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including two Iron Man sequels and The Avengers(2012). Iron Man was ranked 12th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes in 2011.
An American billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer, Tony Stark suffers a severe chest injury during a kidnapping in which his captors attempt to force him to build a weapon of mass destruction. He instead creates a powered suit of armor to save his life and escape captivity. He later uses the suit and successive versions to protect the world as Iron Man. Through his corporation ― Stark Industries ― Tony has created many military weapons, some of which, along with other technological devices of his making, have been integrated into his suit, helping him fight crime. Initially, Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes, particularly the role of American technology and business in the fight against communism. Subsequent re-imaginings of Iron Man have transitioned from Cold War themes to contemporary concerns, such as corporate crime and terrorism.
Throughout most of the character's publication history, Iron Man has been a member of the superhero team the Avengers and has been featured in several incarnations of his own various comic book series. Iron Man has been adapted for several animated TV shows and films. The character is portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. in the live action film Iron Man (2008), which was a critical and box office success. Downey, who received much acclaim for his performance, reprised the role in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including two Iron Man sequels and The Avengers(2012). Iron Man was ranked 12th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes in 2011.
After issue #99 (March 1968), the Tales of Suspense series was renamed Captain America. An Iron Man story appeared in the one-shot comic Iron Man and Sub-Mariner (April 1968), before the "Golden Avenger"[16] made his solo debut with The Invincible Iron Man #1 (May 1968).[17] The series' indicia gives its copyright title Iron Man, while the trademarked cover logo of most issues isThe Invincible Iron Man. Artist George Tuska began a decade long association with the character with Iron Man #5 (Sept. 1968).[18] Writer Mike Friedrich and artist Jim Starlin's brief collaboration on the Iron Man series introduced Mentor, Starfox, and Thanos in issue #55 (Feb. 1973).[19] Friedrich scripted a metafictional story in which Iron Man visited the San Diego Comic Convention and met several Marvel Comics writers and artists.[20] He then wrote the multi-issue "War of the Super-Villains" storyline which ran through 1975.[21][22][23][24][25]
Writer David Michelinie,[26] co-plotter/inker Bob Layton, and penciler John Romita, Jr. became the creative team on the series with Iron Man #116 (Nov. 1978). Micheline and Layton established Tony Stark's alcoholism with the story "Demon in a Bottle", and introduced several supporting characters, including Stark's bodyguard girlfriend Bethany Cabe;[27] Stark's personal pilot and confidant James Rhodes, who later became the superhero War Machine;[28] and rival industrialist Justin Hammer,[29] who was revealed to be the employer of numerous high-tech armed enemies Iron Man fought over the years. The duo also introduced the concept of Stark's specialized armors[30][31][32] as he acquired a dangerous vendetta with Doctor Doom.[33][34] The team worked together through #154 (Jan. 1982), with Michelinie writing three issues without Layton.[26]
Following Michelinie and Layton's departures, Dennis O'Neil became the new writer of the series and had Stark relapse into alcoholism. Jim Rhodes replaced Stark as Iron Man in issue #169 (April 1983) and wore the armor for the next two years of stories. [35] O'Neil returned Tony Stark to the Iron Man role in issue #200 (Nov. 1985).[36] Michelinie and Layton became the creative team once again in issue #215 (Feb. 1987).[26] They crafted the "Armor Wars" storyline beginning in #225 (Dec. 1987)[37] through #231 (June 1988). John Byrne and John Romita, Jr. produced a sequel titled "Armor Wars II" in issues #258 (July 1990) to #266 (March 1991). The series had a crossover with the other Avengers related titles as part of the "Operation: Galactic Storm" storyline.[38][39]
Writer David Michelinie,[26] co-plotter/inker Bob Layton, and penciler John Romita, Jr. became the creative team on the series with Iron Man #116 (Nov. 1978). Micheline and Layton established Tony Stark's alcoholism with the story "Demon in a Bottle", and introduced several supporting characters, including Stark's bodyguard girlfriend Bethany Cabe;[27] Stark's personal pilot and confidant James Rhodes, who later became the superhero War Machine;[28] and rival industrialist Justin Hammer,[29] who was revealed to be the employer of numerous high-tech armed enemies Iron Man fought over the years. The duo also introduced the concept of Stark's specialized armors[30][31][32] as he acquired a dangerous vendetta with Doctor Doom.[33][34] The team worked together through #154 (Jan. 1982), with Michelinie writing three issues without Layton.[26]
Following Michelinie and Layton's departures, Dennis O'Neil became the new writer of the series and had Stark relapse into alcoholism. Jim Rhodes replaced Stark as Iron Man in issue #169 (April 1983) and wore the armor for the next two years of stories. [35] O'Neil returned Tony Stark to the Iron Man role in issue #200 (Nov. 1985).[36] Michelinie and Layton became the creative team once again in issue #215 (Feb. 1987).[26] They crafted the "Armor Wars" storyline beginning in #225 (Dec. 1987)[37] through #231 (June 1988). John Byrne and John Romita, Jr. produced a sequel titled "Armor Wars II" in issues #258 (July 1990) to #266 (March 1991). The series had a crossover with the other Avengers related titles as part of the "Operation: Galactic Storm" storyline.[38][39]