Warning! Spoilers for Iron Man #11 by Marvel Comics below.
It seems Iron Man hasn't learned his greatest lesson from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the comic books, as he still blames himself for things he can't control. In a new preview for Iron Man #11 by Marvel Comics, Tony Stark is told his team is going after Korvac without him as he's stuck on a mysterious, untrackable planet. After telling Hellcat he can't live with their deaths on his conscience, she says he can't selfishly blame everything on himself.
In the MCU, Tony Stark evolved from an arms dealer who didn't think twice about the deadly repercussions of his actions to a man who was profoundly changed by guilt. The list of his most guilt-fueled MCU moments includes supporting the Sokovia Accords after a mother reveals she blames him for her son's death following the Avengers' fight with Ultron. Stark also shares quite a bit of guilt over his protege, Peter Parker, being snapped by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. The trauma and guilt he experienced led him to quit the Avengers before eventually returning to go on a time heist with the team.
In a new preview for Iron Man #11, Stark remains on an alien planet far away from Earth and continues struggling with not being with his team as the threat of Korvac looms large. When talking with a projection of Hellcat, Tony reveals he's been taking even more morphine and getting high from it to deal with his pain. Hellcat tells him he doesn't need to face things alone while revealing his team is going after Korvac without him. Stark pleads for Hellcat to wait for him, saying the team's death would be "all my fault." Hellcat gives Iron Man tough love, telling him that by saying it's his fault, he's taking away everyone's choices - as they are not reflections of his actions and have their own agency.
After telling Iron Man they'll find him and to turn his medicine governor back on, Hellcat reveals to the team Tony won't be joining them. So, the unlikely group of misfits is left to save the universe without him.
What makes Hellcat such a great pairing and foil to Iron Man is the fact she's unafraid to tell him the truth. While she and the team would love to have Tony by their side to go after Korvac, that scenario is currently impossible. So, they're going on without him and he can't blame himself for whatever happens.
Iron Man needs to stop feeling guilty for actions he can't control. Korvac could kill millions if they waited to find and save Stark before attacking. Hellcat, War Machine, Misty Knight, Ben Reilly, and the other heroes might not be A-listers, but they're heroes in their own right and Tony needs to let them try to save the day. Iron Man #11 is in comic book stores later this week.