Warning! Spoilers for Avengers #50 by Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics just revealed the new Iron Inquisitor who has a shocking connection to Iron Man. In Avengers #50, a new villain emerges from across the Multiverse, and when his mask is knocked off, Howard Stark is revealed to be behind it. The version of Stark from Earth-4111 sacrificed his family, fame, and fortune to team up with Mephisto and topple the Multiverse.

Earlier in Jason Aaron's Avengers run, readers were shocked to learn Howard Stark had been secretly working with Mephisto and worshipped the devil. The storyline was confusing as it suggested Tony Stark of Earth-616 had a personal connection to Mephisto before later revealing Howard served the Marvel supervillain. Nearly 20 issues after the idea of Howard working for Mephisto was initially planted, Marvel Comics is finally revealing the true nature of the pair's agreement and relationship. It turns out the Howard Stark readers saw in earlier stories was from Earth-4111 and sacrificed his family in pursuit of power, becoming the Iron Inquisitor.

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In Avengers #50 by Jason Aaron, Aaron Kuder, Javier Garron, Rafael Fonteriz, Ed McGuinness, Carlos Pacheco, David Curiel, Alex Sinclair, Matt Hollingsworth, Rachelle Rosenberg, David Baldeon, and Israel Silva, Ka-Zar is sent on a mission across space and time by the Avengers. His mission is to learn more about legacy powers and the Multiverse. One of his most dangerous encounters is when he runs into the Iron Inquisitor, who also traveled across time to kill the Savage Land hero. After striking Ka-Zar, the Iron Inquisitor reveals themselves to be Howard Stark - who considers himself one of the most powerful beings in the Multiverse.

Iron Man Iron Inquisitor

Avengers #50 flashes back to Earth-4111, where it's revealed Stark struck a deal with Mephisto to gain powers in a world with emerging heroes. Mephisto granted Stark immortality in exchange for him killing his family. In Hell, Stark forged his own Iron Man-esque armor and became the Iron Inquisitor - the chief security officer for the Council of Red. Howard Stark of Earth-411 serves the different Mephisto's from across the Multiverse.

Making the evil, devil-worshipping Howard Stark seen in earlier stories come from a different universe makes the previous reveal a lot easier to swallow. This version of Iron Man's father sacrificed everything so that he could live forever and become one of Mephisto's closest allies. This version of Howard Stark is incredibly twisted. Readers will certainly see more of the Iron Inquisitor as the Avengers and Avengers: Forever storylines continue. He'll likely come face-to-face with Iron Man at some point. Avengers #50 is in comic book stores now.

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