Warning! Spoilers for Iron Man #18 by Marvel Comics
In one of his biggest personal sacrifices ever, Iron Man just gave up his god-like powers and might cause his death by doing so. In Iron Man #18 by Marvel Comics, Tony Stark realizes the Power Cosmic has corrupted him and decides to revive his friends and give up the incredible power. But, giving up the power immediately sends Stark into morphine withdrawal, which might kill the hero.
After his plans to stop the villain Korvac from obtaining the Power Cosmic failed, Iron Man decided to gain the reality-changing abilities for himself to stop him. At first, the decision seemed like a good one, as the Iron God stopped Korvac, while Stark returned to Earth to use the Power Cosmic to make the world a better place. However, after sharing his intellect with all of New York, Iron Man became corrupted by his powers, lost control, and killed his closest allies who tried to split him from his newfound powers. Included among the dead were War Machine and the Silver Surfer.
In Iron Man #18 by Marvel Comics by Christopher Cantwell, Lan Medina, Frank D'Armata, and VC's Joe Caramagna, Tony Stark has a heartfelt conversation about his struggles. He compares himself to the story of Jekyll and Hyde, admitting as a hero, the good he does is often overshadowed by mistakes and personal flaws. Iron Man uses his god-powers to revive his murdered friends, as he apologizes to them while releasing his Power Cosmic in a noble sacrifice. Without his powers, Iron Man goes on a walk, where he soon collapses after going into morphine withdrawal. Is Marvel teasing Stark's death?
As Stark lies motionless on the ground, Korvac returns from cosmic imprisonment and gloats to the fallen hero that he defeated the Living Tribunal and the In-Betweener and intends on annihilating the universe to create harmony across the cosmos. He even tells Tony he wants him to be his first death in his new crusade. However, Korvac quickly realizes Stark isn't listening as his eyes close before him, as he possibly dies after sacrificing his powers.
By sacrificing his god powers, Stark's human form returned. And since he's been struggling with morphine addiction since suffering near-fatal injuries in a previous fight with Korvac, his withdrawal hit him harder than ever now that he's back in his usual form. His god powers can't protect him. So, can Tony Stark survive his withdrawal, or is the hero's death imminent? Readers will learn more soon. Iron Man #18 by Marvel Comics is in comic book stores now.