This article is about the fictional superhero. For other uses, see Iron Man (disambiguation).
Iron Man
Promotional art for The Invincible Iron Man vol. 5, #25 (second printing) (June 2010) by Salvador Larroca.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963)
Created by Stan Lee
Larry Lieber
Don Heck
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark
Species Human
Place of origin Earth
Team affiliations Avengers
Department of Defense
Force Works
New Avengers
Guardians of the Galaxy
Illuminati
The Mighty Avengers
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Stark Industries
Stark Resilient
Thunderbolts
West Coast Avengers
Partnerships War Machine
Rescue
Abilities
Genius-level intellect
Highly proficient scientist, engineer, and businessperson
Via powered armored suit:
Superhuman strength and durability
A cyberpathic link with a prior version of his powered armored suit
Supersonic flight at Mach 3
Energy repulsors
Missiles
Regenerative life support (sometimes powered by solar power)
The Invincible Iron Man
Cover for The Invincible Iron Man #1 (May 1968). Art by Gene Colan and Mike Esposito.
Series publication information
Schedule Monthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre Superhero
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero that 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 ― Stark 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 founding 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 two Iron Man sequels and The Avengers (2012), and will do so again in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Iron Man was ranked 12th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes in 2011.[1]