The MCU helped turn Iron Man into a household name, but the character had a rich history in the comics well before that. Now that Iron Man's time in the movies seems to be over, there may be fans who are seeking out stories to learn more about the character, or just old fans wanting to revisit some of their favorites.
Fans of Reddit have identified some of the greatest Iron Man stories from Marvel comics. These stories help to explore the complexity of the character, his darkest moments, and his greatest triumphs that help to cement him as one of Marvel's greatest comic book heroes.
Extremis
Fans of the MCU might be familiar with the "extremis" thanks to Iron Man 3. It is true that the movie adapted several key details from the comic, but the original storyline is very different than what fans saw on screen as Iron Man takes on the results of a super-soldier experiment gone wrong.
Not only did "Extremis" help to inspire the third and final Iron Man movie, but it also seemed to influence how the character would eventually be portrayed in the movies. In fact, Redditor Detective_Robot claimed the story "lays the groundwork for the modern Iron Man in a wonderful way."
Invincible Iron Man (2015)
It is interesting to see how Iron Man's legacy is still very much a part of the MCU even with the character gone. There are a number of upcoming projects that will keep the character of Tony Stark alive in a way, including Ironheart featuring the beloved character of Riri Willaims.
The 2015 run of "Invincible Iron Man" introduced Williams into the Marvel universe as a protégé of Tony Stark and allowed her to gain her own following among fans. Redditor BasedFunnyValentine acknowledged that the story is "usually overlooked" but worthwhile.
Iron Man: The Inevitable
Iron Man does not have one of the most noteworthy rogue's galleries of villains compared to other Marvel heroes. However, it is still fun to see some of the lesser-known or forgotten villains make a comeback in "Iron Man: The Inevitable."
The story follows the events of "Extremis" and subverts the hero vs villain idea in some interesting ways. Though not as celebrated as some others, one Redditor called it a "really good, under-appreciated" Iron Man story.
Superior Iron Man
While it is easy to find plenty of examples of Tony Stark being a selfless hero, he is also a very complex character which made him so fascinating. Tony's willingness to do anything to ensure peace is pushed to the extreme in "Superior Iron Man" as he becomes a tyrannical superhero who seeks control over everything.
Though it is not the typical Tony Stark that fans are ready to cheer for, it is a thrilling look at the darkest aspects of the character. Redditor CursoryRogue20 found that this subversive take on the hero is "extremely underrated."
Armor Wars
Unlike some of his fellow Avengers, Tony Stark is a hero whose powers come from his own intellect. He is the one who builds the Iron Man armor and uses it for good. However, he is also aware that he introduced a weapon into the world that could be very dangerous in the wrong hands.
"Armor Wars" is very much about Tony's worst nightmare coming true as he is forced to face off with multiple villains who have acquired his tech. Along with apparently inspiring the upcoming Armor Wars Disney+ series with War Machine, one Redditor considers the comic one of the "classics."
Iron Man: Director Of Shield
Before the MCU, Iron Man was not as well-known as some of his contemporary heroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine. However, he always had a leading role in the comics as confirmed by the storyline in which he is made the director of SHIELD.
"Iron Man: Director of Shield" comes following the events of "Civil War". As the new director of the spy organization, Tony faces a number of challenges while also contemplating the future of Iron Man. Redditor tjt80 claimed the story "has everything you want in an Iron Man story."
The Invincible Iron Man (1982)
Though the character has undergone so many changes over the years, it can be a real thrill to look back on the classic comics that helped to shape Iron Man into the hero most fans are familiar with. Denny O'Neil's run of "The Invincible Iron Man" in 1982.
O'Neil's run came in between two seminal works on the character after "Demon in a Bottle" and before "Armor Wars." However, he managed to stand out with some big moments. Redditor da0ur pointed out that the run deals with "Tony's relapse, Rhodey becoming Iron Man, and Obadiah Stane taking over Stark Industries."
Invincible Iron Man (2008)
"Invincible Iron Man" was a story that was running just as the character was hitting the big screen in the MCU. Even with that stiff competition, this story managed to be regarded as one of the best modern runs for the character.
The story finds Tony Stark put through a lot as he fights against new threats in the aftermath of "Civil War", including Ezekiel Stane, the son of Obadiah who is seeking revenge. Redditor creative_viking went so far as to call it "the best the character ever has been."
Demon In A Bottle
As fun as it is to see Marvel's heroes taking on intergalactic threats and saving the world, sometimes it is just as compelling to see them deal with grounded and human issues. Such is the case with the iconic "Demon in a Bottle" story which explored Tony Stark's battle with alcoholism.
It was a dark and impactful story that helped to shape the character as a more troubled figure with his own issues for years to come. One Redditor identified it as a unique story because Tony's battle was "not a problem that he can punch."