The 2000s was a significant decade for Iron Man, as he made his cinematic debut in the MCU. However, even in terms of comics, the character faced a lot of reinventions that changed the face of the armored Avenger.
Writers like Warren Ellis not only added more perspective to Tony Stark's character and origins but also added a mature touch to villains such as Mandarin and Ezekiel Stane. This was also a period of constant conflicts with Iron Man's own heroic peers with Civil War being the biggest example. To put it in a nutshell, the iconic MCU version of the hero owes a lot to this genre-defying decade,
The Ultimates
Mark Millar's iconic limited series The Ultimates was a watershed moment for Marvel Comics as it offered a darker and mature comic issue on the Avengers that suited the 2000s. Rather than focusing on the origins of the Avengers, the storyline reimagines the way these heroes came together to save the planet from an extraterrestrial threat.
Tony Stark shares a major role providing his technological prowess for the team while donning a new Ultimate suit instead of the usual red-and-gold one. The Ultimates not only influenced the themes for Iron Man stories under the Ultimates banner but also served as a major inspiration for the MCU classic The Avengers. In this context, The Ultimates is a must-read for Marvel fans.
Extremis
Extremis is often considered as one of the best Iron-Man storylines of all time, as it reinvents the character's origin with a nanotechnology-powered suit that allows him to mentally manipulate his armor. The plot inspired parts of Iron Man as well as most of the story for Iron Man 3.
Apart from holding cinematic value, Warren Ellis gave a much-needed modern update to Tony Stark that has been immortalized in all Marvel comics since then. Adi Granov's realistic art style makes Extremis another classic for comic book collectors. Counting at just six issues, it also makes for a quick read.
Civil War
Iron-Man and Captain America have been allies, but their ideological differences can lead to some intense rivalries, as can be seen from the ambitious crossover Civil War. Not only does Stark go against his fellow Avengers, but he's also tasked with protecting the ones who side with him, including Spider-Man, whose personal identity is at stake.
Civil War is a Marvel comic that makes for essential reading to understand the human side of Iron-Man. Instead of his suave persona, readers catch a glimpse of a grieving Tony Stark who wishes to take up more responsibility as a hero. Convinced that his actions can lead to collateral damage if left unchecked, he goes to any extent to support the government even if it means going against Captain America.
The Five Nightmares
Once a close confidante of Tony Stark, Obadiah Stane betrayed him for his own means. As the move cost him his death, his son Ezekiel Stane returns in The Five Nightmares to not only suppress Iron Man but also wreak large-scale havoc in this process.
Becoming an international terrorist, Ezekiel's personal vengeance contributes to the drama as Iron Man finds a worthy opponent. The challenges increase as Ezekiel uses Iron Man's own technology on suicide bombers. All in all, it is an action-heavy storyline that tests the hero to his limits.
Iron Man: Enter The Mandarin
Iron-Man: Enter The Mandarin is a limited series that reimagines the first meeting between the titular characters. A main comic book villain for Iron Man, Mandarin is introduced as a Chinese warlord who interferes in global politics prompting S.H.I.E.L.D to send Iron Man on a covert operation.
What follows is a battle of wits, as Mandarin takes control of S.H.I.E.L.D'S satellites while Iron Man prevents a third World War. Apart from the nail-biting intensity that it provides, this miniseries is an important part of the hero's history, as it provides more background on his arch-nemesis's personality.
Demon
A six-issue storyline within The Invincible Iron Man series, Demon features Iron Man villains like Mandarin, Justine Hammer, and Ezekiel Stane plotting to take him with a new technology system. Tony, on the other hand, has another enemy to combat: alcoholism. His growing dependency on alcohol to relieve himself of past trauma makes the government wary of his actions and he's asked to even hand over his armor and superhero title.
Demon is quite an introspective comic in this sense. Unlike Captain America, Iron Man is a flawed character who has his low moments at times. Rather than glorifying him or glamorizing his heroics, the comic draws empathy towards its lead character.
World's Most Wanted
Tony Stark isn't only Iron Man in this storyline but also the "World's Most Wanted" man. After Norman Osborn surprisingly takes charge as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, he declares Stark to be a wanted fugitive and turns heroes like Namor against him. More than his life, Stark is concerned about his valuable research and aims to destroy it before Osborn gets his hands on it.
World's Most Wanted introduces an interesting rivalry that not many fans would have expected. With most of his armory seized, it will also be exciting for readers to catch a glimpse of Iron Man donning his Mark 1 armor in battle.
Stark: Disassembled
After Tony Stark goes into a fatal coma, his allies resort to supernatural means to bring him back. This resurrection plan grows only riskier as Madame Masque desires to assassinate Stark in his comatose state.
Because of his countless battles and altered physiology, Stark often lands in such weakened states. But his battle with Iron Patriot leads him to a new physical low in Stark: Disassembled. If anything, the comic proves how much the armored hero means to his friends like Captain America and Doctor Strange. The impulsive and egoistic Stark might have his flaws and differences but in the end, he has his fair share of well-wishers.
Ultimate Human
Also serving as a Hulk comic book arc, Ultimate Human features a desperate Bruce Banner who wishes to do away with his raging Hulk personality for once and for all. Even though Tony Stark seems to be willing to help him out, he has his own plans of using Hulk to foil the evil plans of The Leader.
Needless to say, Ultimate Human also involves some breathtaking duels between Iron Man and Hulk as their ideological conflict turns into a physical one. It also reveals Stark's manipulative side along with Banner's cynical quest for leading a normal life.
Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D
As the title suggests, this particular arc found Tony Stark taking up the mantle of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. The story takes place right after Civil War and finds Stark handling the diplomatic tussles of the spy organization. Meanwhile, he has his own inner demons to confront given the events that preceded this sudden move. Thrown in the mix is the classic Iron Man villain Mandarin.
Much like Extremis and Civil War, Iron Man's responsible side is shown in great detail. Serving as both an armored superhero and the S.H.I.E.L.D director, he realizes that his actions would always have consequences.