The most forgettable movie in the MCU, Iron Man 2, finally gets some much-needed retribution in the comics. Among the many divisive qualities of the movie was the not-very-memorable subplot revolving around Tony’s dad, Howard Stark. Tony’s longstanding daddy issues are resolved in the film once he uncovers old footage of Howard referring to his son as his “greatest creation.”
The Invincible Iron Man #10 – by Gerry Duggan, Juan Frigeri, Bryan Valenza, and VC’s Joe Caramagna – features a similar sentiment, as Tony comes across a recording of Howard calling him his “greatest collaboration.”
This is enough to bring Iron Man great joy, as well as help him find some much-needed information for himself.
Marvel Comics Redeems An Iron Man 2 Scene
In Invincible Iron Man #10, Iron Man and Emma Frost orchestrate a Las Vegas wedding, with Feilong as the only one in attendance. However, it is all a ruse to ambush the Orchis leader, putting him to sleep in order to enter his mind. Once inside, the goal was simply to find the schematics of the Sentinels that Feilong created using Stark technology and used to orchestrate the Mutant Massacre. Looking through his memories, Frost and Stark find out that Feilong found a never-before-seen B-roll footage of Howard Stark, and then burned that celluloid, leaving the evidence in his photographic memory.
In addition to information on the Sentinels, the footage includes Howard delivering a special message to his son. As wholesome as the moment is, this also tells readers how Tony’s father can be, at best, a soft spot for him, and at worst, an actual weakness for the philanthropist. Right after this moment passes, Feilong becomes conscious briefly; Tony being distracted by a bit of joy from his father is enough to leave him wide open for an attack. Had Emma not been there to help her husband, this would not have ended well for the Iron Man.
Howard Stark Remains Tony’s Weakness
In more ways than one, Tony lets down his armor (literally and figuratively) whenever his father is of the conversation or something related to Howard is at stake. It is notable to see Tony be vulnerable, and to express a childlike level of joy at his parent’s approval. However, it is indicative of a consistent problem for Iron Man – letting his guard down at inopportune times. He forgets the mission at stake, suddenly fixated on recapturing whatever love he failed to be exposed to as a child from his father. It’s a consistent character trait for Tony in the comics, one that the comparison to Iron Man 2 provides a deeper context to.
The Invincible Iron Man #10 is available now from Marvel Comics.
