Warning: Spoilers for The Avengers #23!Iron Man and Captain America have one of the most interesting relationships of all the Avengers, and a hilarious new moment features Tony taking on Cap’s identity in a scene that’s deeper than it appears. Tony’s feelings about Cap are infinitely complicated, and this moment puts all those complications on the page in a genius moment of characterization.
In The Avengers #23 by Jed MacKay and Farid Karami, Iron Man is hilariously dressed up in Captain America’s classic costume as it’s revealed that his deepest desire is to be just like Cap.
The issue sees the Avengers face off against the classic Marvel alien bounty hunters Technet, including Joyboy, a baby-looking alien who can grant someone’s deepest wish – but with a monkey’s paw-type twist. Iron Man, therefore, gets to be a big ol’ hero like Cap but loses his armor for Cap’s classic fabric costume.
Iron Man’s Deepest Desire Is to be More Like Captain America
The Avengers #23 by Jed MacKay, Farid Karami, Federico Blee, and Cory Petit
While this visual is hilarious, it’s also a subtle moment of characterization for Iron Man. Tony is often defined by his guilt. He doesn’t feel like he can live up to the heroic ideals of his peers, and he’s aware of just how selfish and self-destructive he can be. Of course, he then wishes that he were more like Captain America, morally forthright and self-assured in all he does. Whether Cap actually feels like that is irrelevant; it’s how Tony views Cap’s idealism and strength of will in comparison to himself.
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Iron Man and Captain America’s history of fighting each other only further complicates these character implications. The two are classic Avengers teammates and friends, but Civil War by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven broke that relationship, turning the two against each other. Tony was guilt-stricken when Captain America died shortly thereafter, but even so, Tony disappeared eventually when he lost his memory of his actions during Civil War. Part of Tony’s guilt is about what he believes he did to Cap. His supposed moral failings hurt the man that he idolizes.
Iron Man and Captain America Have a Long History of… Subtext
Some Fans Will Certainly See Tony’s Desire in a Romantic Light
There’s also one more implication that can’t be ignored, and that’s the potential romantic subtext of the moment. Like so many angsty friendships laced with conflict, Cap and Tony have long had a community of fans who see their conflict as partially an externalization of some deeper romantic or sexual feelings for each other that the two don’t want to admit. Iron Man dressing up as Cap is even more charged with that subtext in mind. Captain America and Iron Man’s relationship is so multi-faceted that a small moment like an Avengers costume mix-up can be read a million different ways.
The Avengers #23 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Iron Man
Anthony “Tony” Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is a Marvel Comics superhero who has enjoyed several years of the spotlight and has become a mainstay in several Marvel media franchises. After suffering a critical injury, Tony creates a specialized armored suit powered by an arc reactor, which keeps him alive. Egotistical but good-hearted, Tony utilizes his super intellect and inventions to fight to protect humanity from various threats, eventually becoming a founding member of the Avengers. In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was kicked off with the film Iron Man, which starred Robert Downey Jr. as the superhero.
- Died
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2023 (in the MCU)
- Alias
-
Iron Man
- RELATIONSHIPS
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Jude (biological father), Amanda Armstrong (biological mother), Howard Stark (adoptive father), Maria Stark (adoptive mother), Arno Stark (brother)
- POWERS
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Genius intellect, armor providing flight, hacking, superhuman strength, reflexes, and durability.
- HISTORY
-
Famous to the world as a genius billionaire playboy philanthropist, Anthony “Tony” Stark has seen as many transformations, rebirths, and updates as his iconic suits of armor. The adopted son of industrialist (and weapons manufacturer) Howard Stark, Tony became the head of the empire with his parents’ untimely death… leading to his capture by terrorists overseas.
Creating a suit of powered armor to escape, Tony used his newfound tech to begin a career as Iron Man, devoting his life to dismantling the weapons and villainy he unknowingly spread around the globe. Whether as a hero, an Avenger, a member of the Illuminati, or the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark has been at the heart of nearly every event to shape the Marvel Universe.
- NAME
-
Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark
- Age
-
53 (In MCU)
- FIRST APP
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“Tales of Suspense” #39 (1963)
- Height
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6’1″
- Status
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Deceased
