Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers Forever #12
Marvel's Mephisto knows the perfect way to torture Iron Man - and this torture only works because Tony Stark has suffered a massive relapse. Fans of the Armored Avenger are quite familiar with the character's long struggle with alcoholism, and Stark has made admirable strides to make sure he never makes the same mistake again. Unfortunately, Avengers Forever #12 reveals otherwise, and Mephisto's torture works because Iron Man has failed himself.
Iron Man's struggle with alcoholism occurred in the 70s and 80s; fans will no doubt remember the infamous Demon in a Bottle storyline that nearly ruined Tony's standing with the Avengers. The followup, Deliverance, began with Tony so desperate for a drink that he sold his own coat in a terrible winter storm for a bottle (he had previously lost control of his own finances, to say nothing ot his inhibitions). In the modern era, Stark has curbed his habit, and even sponsored Captain Marvel during his own struggles with addiction.
In Avengers Forever #12, written by Jason Aaron, Aaron Kuder, Mark Farmer & Frank Martin, three legendary teams of Avengers attack an infinite number of Mephistos as they attempt to storm the God Quarry and the Avengers Tower that lies between universes. Stark (the Ant-Men, of the Avengers Forever team) realizes the Mephistos are attempting to dig underneath the God Quarry and tries to intercept the demonic army. One of the Mephistos grabs Stark and pours alcohol down his throat. "You can have all the drinks you want, Tony," says Mephisto. "Just betray the others, Tony. And sign your soul over to me."
Mephisto's Cruel Torture Of Iron Man Works In 2022
At any other time, this torture would be instantly dismissed by Iron Man, but alas, Tony Stark has lost his way once more. At the end of Invincible Iron Man #1, Stark has lost everything - his fortune, his home(s) and reputation - and with nowhere else to turn, walks into a pub; he is later seen by passers-by vomiting on the street before passing out on a pile of garbage bags. While this is technically a different Iron Man than the variant pictured above, all Starks share this vulnerability - so if the 616 version of Stark can fall back into alcoholism, so too can the Avengers Forever version.
Tony Stark is down but not out; he (along with the other Avengers) are saved by a Phoenix Force-powered Wolverine variant. But this doesn't mean he is out of the woods when it comes to his addiction. Mephisto can torment him in a hellish manner, but Iron Man's real temptation is brought on by his own failings.