Iron Man's History in Comic Books

The Iron Man films have become a certified phenomenon, both in the U.S. and abroad. These films take from and build upon the rich history Iron Man has in Marvel comic books. While the first film was developed in 2008, the Iron Man character came onto the comic book landscape in the 1960s.

Origin

Iron Man's origins are similar to those depicted in the first Iron Man film. Tony Stark, a wealthy genius with a weapons contract with the U.S. government was sent to Vietnam to field test one of the weapons he developed. While there, Stark was gravely wounded. Captured by Communist leader Wong-Chu, Stark was told he would be treated and released if he developed a weapon for the Communists. With the help of fellow prisoner Professor Ho Yinsen, a physicist, Stark developed a crude armored suit with offensive weapons. It also includes a pacemaker-like device that allowed Stark to live despite his injuries. Stark escaped using the armor . This crude armor would end up being the prototype Iron Man Suit, and the beginning of a comic book legacy.

Bodyguard

Stark began using a redesigned Iron Man suit when he returned to the U.S. At first, Iron Man was said to be Stark's bodyguard, which helped Stark keep his identity secret while the suit was so near him. Spies and criminals endangering Stark Industries, Tony Stark's company, were Iron Man's first targets in the comic books. Iron Man's enemies eventually became anyone endangering the security of the U.S.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism has been Iron Man/Tony Stark's worst enemy in the comic books. Bouts with the disease caused him to lose his company and all of Iron Man's suits except one. Starks' friend, James Rhodes, had to take over the mantle of Iron Man while Stark got sober.

James Rhodes

James Rhodes, while donning the Iron Man suit, began to fall in love with being Iron Man. The suit was not calibrated for his brainwaves, however, and a newly-sober Stark was forced to don a new, weaker Iron man suit to fight Rhodes. Stark defeated Rhodes in the comic books, took back his suit, and began taking on his Iron man duties. He became a member of the West Coast Avengers.

Armor Wars

Stark's technology got into the hands of criminals in the comic books. Stark had to fight many criminals that were using Iron Man-like armor. Iron Man was deemed a criminal by the U.S. government, and was thought to have been killed in combat. In truth, Stark was alive, and created the most sophisticated Iron Man suit ever made.

Paralysis

Tony Stark was shot by Kathleen Dare, a former lover. The wound paralyzed Stark, but he could still function normally inside the Iron Man armor. He was eventually able to regain function of his legs through microchip technology.

Source: Iron Man