The Civil War between Iron Man and Captain America is iconic for splitting Marvel Comics’ superhero community down the middle. The damage from said conflict has taken years to heal, and to this day Steve Rogers and Tony Stark still feel its effects. But that doesn’t mean a formal apology was never issued, and it was Iron Man who ended up extending the olive branch.
Avengers Prime #5 – written by Brian Michael Bendis, with art by Alan Davis – reunites the classic Avengers leaders in the wake of Norman Osborn’s Siege, cementing the reforged bond between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Having defeated Hela alongside Thor and the rest of the Avengers, Captain America acknowledges how hard it is to put the past behind them.
In response, Tony tells Steve, “All the things I said and did – I’m – I’m so, so sorry,” even going so far as to say he doesn’t deserve Cap’s forgiveness.
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Iron Man is often treated as Civil War’s villain, thanks to his role in the conflict, but one secret weapon may have proved Tony Stark right.
Iron Man’s Apology To Captain American Began To Heal The Wounds Of “Civil War”
Avengers Prime #5 – Written By Brian Michael Bendis; Art By Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, Javier Rodriguez, & Chris Eliopoulos
The heroes ultimately agree they’re better together than apart, finally overcoming for the most part the years-long grudge perfectly distilled in Civil War: The Confession. Telling two stories in the aftermath of their final confrontation over the SRA, the issue sees an imprisoned Steve ask a gloating Tony whether their war was worth it, only for Iron Man to admit that it wasn’t upon Captain America’s death. And with their battle against Hela reuniting the duo, they finally get the chance to say what they’ve meant to for years.
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.
What makes Captain America and Iron Man perfect foils for one another, as the best of friends and the most natural rivals, is their mutual conviction in upholding what they stand for. Steve Rogers is a man who will always commit to protecting freedom at any cost, and that’s put him at odds with those in power more than once. Meanwhile, Tony is the ultimate futurist who believes in protecting people by creating a suit of armor around the world, either ideologically, literally, or in the case of Civil War, politically. And it’s clear here that Tony knows Cap was right.
Iron Man & Captain America’s Similarities Made Their “Civil War” Divide So Tragic
Civil War: The Confession – Written By Brian Michael Bendis; Art By Chris Eliopoulos, Alex Maleev & Jose Villarrubia.
In many ways, Captain America and Iron Man represent the ultimate conflict between freedom and security, but ultimately, they just want to do what they can to protect the world. And this brings in innate tension to Steve and Tony’s relationship that has reared its head a couple of times even since they squashed their Civil War beef. But while Captain America and Iron Man may not always agree on how to get the job done, they know that it’s only when they fight together that they’re truly Marvel Comics’ Mightiest Heroes.
Captain America
Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America’s birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.
