This article is about the 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 "Tony" Edward Stark | Team affiliations | Stark Industries
Avengers
Mighty Avengers
New Avengers
West Coast Avengers
Illuminati
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Department of Defense
Force Works |
Iron Man is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character debuted in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963), and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby.
Born Anthony Edward Stark, and usually called Tony, he is an industrialist playboy and ingenious engineer who suffers a severe heart 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 to protect the world as Iron Man. Through his multinational 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 gradually removed the Cold War themes, replacing them with more 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