Strongest Versions Of Iron Man

Highlights

Iron Man became an A-list hero after leading the MCU with his 2008 debut film.
Tony Stark’s gadgets in the comics are some of the best and most iconic creations.
In the comics, Iron Man has had powerful forms, like the Phoenix-Killer and the Hulk Buster.

As a seasoned aficionado of all things Iron Man, allow me to share my thoughts on these two extraordinary iterations: Superior Iron Man and Iron Hammer.

The brilliant inventor, wealthy socialite, and generous philanthropist – Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man – was already a well-liked hero, though not necessarily one of the top-tier heroes. However, his status significantly improved when he took charge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with his 2008 debut film and subsequent adventures, eventually becoming a superhero that graced many households.

Currently, Iron Man is widely recognized as the courageous protagonist of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who performed a universe-preserving self-sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, a remarkable scene showcasing him holding the Infinity Stones at the height of his powers. However, comic books reveal that this armored inventor has assumed even more potent forms throughout his narrative history. Here are six of Iron Man’s mightiest iterations.

6 Pheonix-Killer

Attempts To Neutralize Power

First Appearance: Avengers vs X-Men #5
Universe: Earth-616

While it’s usually the responsibility of mutants, X-Men, and their allies to handle the Phoenix Force and its immense destructive power, situations can become so dire that even the mighty Avengers and Iron Man are called upon to help manage this formidable force within the Marvel universe.

Named the “Phoenix-Terminator Armor,” this suit was specifically designed for a single mission: to safeguard Earth during the dramatic confrontation between the Avengers and X-Men, known as the Avengers vs X-Men saga. The Phoenix Force, a powerful cosmic energy with fiery origins, had chosen Hope Summers as its new vessel, posing a significant threat to our planet. While the X-Men focused on shielding Hope Summers, the Avengers aimed to halt the Phoenix Force altogether.

1. Tony Stark’s massive machine resembling a megazord, intended to eliminate the Phoenix Force using a potent disrupter, showed sufficient power to harm the cosmic energy but not enough at first to live up to its label as the force’s killer. The Phoenix was fragmented into five segments, with each one being held by an X-Men member. Combined, these fragments created an armor capable of annihilating the Phoenix Force.

5 Hulk Buster Mark XLIV

The Incredible Suit

First Appearance: Avengers: Age of Ultron
Universe: Earth-199999

An armor specifically designed to combat a formidable entity in the Marvel Universe, even one as powerful as the Hulk, who is usually an ally of Iron Man and a prominent Avenger. However, Tony Stark, despite their friendship, understood the importance of being vigilant. A suit that can withstand the Hulk’s immense strength and potentially subdue him if necessary, just in case.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Hulk Buster Armor – or Iron Man’s Mark XLIV suit – shares a strong resemblance with the Hulk and exhibits many of his abilities. This armor showcases extraordinary strength, holding its own in combat against the Hulk. It also boasts comparable durability, speed, endurance, and agility to the green titan. However, the Hulk Buster Armor displays even greater power than the Hulk itself.

In contrast to the Hulk, who doesn’t have flying capabilities, the Hulk Buster suit is equipped with flight functions, missile launchers, repulsor beams, and advanced autonomous grip technology. This suit was extremely effective as demonstrated in the Age of Ultron movie where Tony Stark managed to overpower the Hulk and knock him unconscious.

4 Exiles

Emperor Stark

First Appearance: Exiles #23
Universe: Earth-42777

The Iron Man variant who conquered the globe is often referred to as ‘Exiles Iron Man’. This name alone conjures up images of immense power for fans yet to explore this formidable character. A single glance at his armored figure, adorned with the Dr. Doom cloak draped over it – a symbol of his triumph over Dr. Doom and any other potential adversaries – vividly depicts the ominous aura of power.

In the Exiles comics, I, Tony Stark of Earth-42777, solidified my title as ‘Emperor Stark’ not by chance, but through relentless struggle. I rose to become the ‘Iron Monarch’ of this world, skillfully navigating the tumultuous waters of a mutant and human conflict. I used my armor to quell mutant uprisings while simultaneously financing Magneto’s mutant army, a delicate dance that required both cunning and compassion.

In an attempt to counterbalance Tony Stark’s growing influence, Victor von Doom, as king of Latveria, tried to assert himself instead. Yet, just like others before him, he was ultimately overpowered, adding his name to the long list of individuals dominated by Iron Man in order to maintain his authority.

3 Iron Lantern

Hal Stark’s Origins

First Appearance: Iron Lantern #1
Main Universe Of Residence: The Amalgam Universe

When you combine one of the mightiest devices from the DC Universe with one of the mightiest devices from the Marvel Universe, you end up with the Iron Lantern – a version of Iron Man that would ignite the imagination of any comic book or superhero enthusiast. Essentially, it’s a fusion of Invincible Iron Man and Green Lantern.

In this imaginative blend of DC’s Green Lantern and Marvel’s Iron Man, the character Hal Stark – a fusion of Hal Jordan and Tony Stark – is the creator of the Stark Aeronautics corporation. During a faulty training exercise, his aircraft veered off course towards an extraterrestrial spacecraft. The simulation malfunctioned, placing him in harm’s way. In true Iron Man style, he managed to escape peril by constructing an armored suit. Upon witnessing an alien perish on the spacecraft, Stark utilized the advanced technology from the wreckage to build his armor, harnessing a glowing battery reminiscent of a Lantern’s power source, found amidst the debris, to energize it.

The armor granted him the ability to recover from wounds and bestowed upon him extraordinary technological powers. He possessed the capacity for flight, emitted green energy blasts, created protective barriers, and even had the unique capability to move through different points in time, a feat that only a select few Iron Man iterations could achieve.

2 Superior

A Genius Playing God

First Appearance: Superior Iron Man #1
Main Universe Of Residence: Earth-616

As a longtime fan of Marvel comics, I can confidently say that the portrayal of Iron Man in this particular storyline is one of the most arrogant versions I’ve ever encountered. Having grown up reading about Tony Stark and his journey from selfish billionaire to hero, it’s disheartening to see such a deviation from his character development.

Iron Man, known for his superior intelligence and overconfidence, once declared, ‘I’m the most skilled individual on Earth, not pretending to be God – I’ve been playing the part of a human.’ This quote reflects the character’s psychology, demonstrating how Iron Man’s arrogance transforms into a god complex in this portrayal. During the Axis Incident, magical powers altered the morality of all heroes. The spell was eventually undone, but Tony Stark successfully resisted this change, maintaining his corrupted state as a result of the initial spell.

Unrestrained by ethical constraints, the Superior Iron Man constructed an empire, deployed lethal robots, and developed a free app offering physical perfection – yet, users would soon become addicted. Once dependent, they were compelled to pay $99.99 daily just to keep using it again. His feats of genius and ruthlessness set him apart among Iron Men, earning him the title of superior indeed.

1 Iron Hammer

The God Of Tech

First Appearance: Infinity #3
Universe: Warp World Earth-616

Being the intellectually superior Avenger is a feat in itself. Having overpowering strength is another. Combining these two traits, specifically possessing the might of Iron Man alongside the wisdom of Thor, sets the stage for an incredibly powerful version of Iron Man – the Iron Hammer.

Stark Odinson is one of the only versions of Iron Man who can truly say he is worthy of lifting Mjolnir. An Iron Man who could possessed own armor and hammer infused with mythological magic and otherworldly technology. The story of Stark Odinson, was that his father Howard Odin denied him his true heritage of immortality and godhood. After being ambushed by Dark Elves in a forest and subsequently crippled, he had his life saved by Eitri the Weapon-Smith, who forged a warhammer to rebuild Stark’s strength and spirit.

Thor Stark, also known as Stark Odinson, dons an armor fusion of Earth’s technology (Midgard) and Asgardian craftsmanship, dubbed the Iron Hammer armor. The hammer, Mjolnir, enhances the armor’s capabilities significantly, allowing it to discharge electric shocks and powerful blasts. Furthermore, it can summon a replica of the Bifrost portal. With the might of gods and the intellect of a human embodying one, the Iron Hammer embodies the unbeatable nature of the Invincible Iron Man faithfully.

2024-08-04 17:54