Iron Man
by Jacob H Baxter
The world of comics is really nothing more than a physical manifestation of the phrase, “art imitates life.” We have learned to love comic characters, to a large degree, because we identify with them. Others have also taught us lessons. Anthony Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is one of the most educational characters about life that we can find in the pulp pages or, in this day and age, on digital screens. First introduced to us in Tales of Suspense #39, Iron Man has been fighting the good fight and making the world a better place since March 1963. So, what exactly is it that everyone's favorite genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist can teach us? Read on, true believers!
The world of comics is really nothing more than a physical manifestation of the phrase, “art imitates life.” We have learned to love comic characters, to a large degree, because we identify with them. Others have also taught us lessons. Anthony Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is one of the most educational characters about life that we can find in the pulp pages or, in this day and age, on digital screens. First introduced to us in Tales of Suspense #39, Iron Man has been fighting the good fight and making the world a better place since March 1963. So, what exactly is it that everyone's favorite genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist can teach us? Read on, true believers!
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Ho Yinsen (click for source)
Although it may not be the most apparent of themes, a lot of Iron Man centers on love and family. Tony Stark has a lot of things at his disposal, but love isn't always one of them. He had a tumultuous relationship with his father, who always pushed him hard to be the best. I guess in the most literal sense of the phrase, that is good parenting. However, he also neglected to show much love and compassion towards his child. That caused Tony to develop a caustic side along with his more admirable traits. When Howard and Maria Stark tragically died in an auto accident, Tony felt great pain and, over the years, he tried everything he could to fill that void. No matter how many women he wooed, he never could replace the feeling of real love. But, tenderness came in some unlikely forms. Through close bonds with James Rhodes, Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, and his fellow Avengers, he gained a type of surrogate family. As he grew closer to those people, Tony began to show a more compassionate and caring side. In this case love, as in family, is spelled L-O-V-E, not D-N-A.
Regardless, right into adulthood, he still desperately sought the love from his father that would never come. Through his skill, knowledge, and tenacity, he took Stark Industries to the worldwide stage and dominated many markets. Other than the aforementioned conquest of women, this success was seemingly his only concern in life. Much of his product was used for less than positive results. His wares were sold off to the highest bidder. Often, these buyers were men of nefarious intention. However, Tony got a real eye and heart opener when he was captured by the warlord Wong-Chu. During his capture, he was injured by an explosion and found that the resulting shrapnel embedded in his body was moving towards his heart. Much like Humpty Dumpty, all of the Tony's horses and all of Tony's men were no use, and were unable to put him back together again while he was being held captive. But, an angel of mercy was upon him. A man, whom he looked up to and held great regard for, Ho Yinsen, was being held alongside him. We all know the story from here. Stark and Yinsen built a suit of armor powered by the same magnetic chest plate that kept the shrapnel from shredding Tony's ticker. But, what is the real story here, and who is the real hero? For me, the true hero is Yinsen. He shows Tony the first real love that he has experienced in quite some time. He is the one that truly teaches him the error of his ways and shows him that no matter how much talent, effort, skill or dedication you put into something; it is all but wasted if it doesn't serve the greater good. Yinsen pays the ultimate price to aid Tony in his escape, but perhaps it was seeing his sacrifice that truly started Tony on the road to becoming the man we know and love today.
Now, let’s move on to the suit, the one thing that Mr. Stark is known for above all else. Truly his greatest power, it also conceals his biggest weakness. Even though most won't admit to it, many of us can identify with that and use our talents and accolades to conceal our failures and insecurities. Through the years, Tony has fought many different enemies with his suit, from Communists to super villains, even his friends. During these battles, he finds himself in need of specialized armor for special situations. So, he creates many permutations of his suit in order to achieve these needs. Versatility is always a good quality, no matter which enemy you are combating.
Regardless, right into adulthood, he still desperately sought the love from his father that would never come. Through his skill, knowledge, and tenacity, he took Stark Industries to the worldwide stage and dominated many markets. Other than the aforementioned conquest of women, this success was seemingly his only concern in life. Much of his product was used for less than positive results. His wares were sold off to the highest bidder. Often, these buyers were men of nefarious intention. However, Tony got a real eye and heart opener when he was captured by the warlord Wong-Chu. During his capture, he was injured by an explosion and found that the resulting shrapnel embedded in his body was moving towards his heart. Much like Humpty Dumpty, all of the Tony's horses and all of Tony's men were no use, and were unable to put him back together again while he was being held captive. But, an angel of mercy was upon him. A man, whom he looked up to and held great regard for, Ho Yinsen, was being held alongside him. We all know the story from here. Stark and Yinsen built a suit of armor powered by the same magnetic chest plate that kept the shrapnel from shredding Tony's ticker. But, what is the real story here, and who is the real hero? For me, the true hero is Yinsen. He shows Tony the first real love that he has experienced in quite some time. He is the one that truly teaches him the error of his ways and shows him that no matter how much talent, effort, skill or dedication you put into something; it is all but wasted if it doesn't serve the greater good. Yinsen pays the ultimate price to aid Tony in his escape, but perhaps it was seeing his sacrifice that truly started Tony on the road to becoming the man we know and love today.
Now, let’s move on to the suit, the one thing that Mr. Stark is known for above all else. Truly his greatest power, it also conceals his biggest weakness. Even though most won't admit to it, many of us can identify with that and use our talents and accolades to conceal our failures and insecurities. Through the years, Tony has fought many different enemies with his suit, from Communists to super villains, even his friends. During these battles, he finds himself in need of specialized armor for special situations. So, he creates many permutations of his suit in order to achieve these needs. Versatility is always a good quality, no matter which enemy you are combating.
Iron Man vs Captain America (click for source)
However, during this time Tony found one enemy that no suit of armor could help him combat; alcoholism. The sins of the father were indeed visited upon the son; Howard had been a fierce alcoholic and now Tony faced that same demon. Through this story, we see once more that even the most powerful and successful people often have problems lurking beneath the surface. And, once again, we discover that the love and support of his adoptive family are what helps him through these tough times. This serves to remind us that you're only as good as the people you surround yourself with. After all, if you don't have family, of whatever description, you don't have anything.
In his last really major example of comic book metaphor, we find Tony at the centre of the Civil War storyline during 2006 and 2007. Iron Man found himself going head to head with an opposing faction of super heroes over his proposed Superhero Registration Act. The opposing team was captained by the captain of captains, the sentinel of liberty himself, Captain America. Both sides fought bitterly over the issue and casualties mounted up along the way. The biggest casualty was Steve Rogers, the Cap himself, when he turned himself in to prevent more collateral damage. While in custody, he was mortally wounded by an assassin. In the end, this was the final shot of the war. Tony won, but it was a costly Pyrrhic victory. He remarked that it wasn't worth it. He learned that we must always pick our battles, especially when they are with friends. Winning isn't everything, especially as sometimes we lose more than we win on that road to victory.
These are but a few of the lessons that Iron Man has taught us over these fifty-odd years. He's been both a great inspiration and teacher to us. He certainly has touched my life in many ways. What other ways can you think of that Iron Man has bettered our world?
In his last really major example of comic book metaphor, we find Tony at the centre of the Civil War storyline during 2006 and 2007. Iron Man found himself going head to head with an opposing faction of super heroes over his proposed Superhero Registration Act. The opposing team was captained by the captain of captains, the sentinel of liberty himself, Captain America. Both sides fought bitterly over the issue and casualties mounted up along the way. The biggest casualty was Steve Rogers, the Cap himself, when he turned himself in to prevent more collateral damage. While in custody, he was mortally wounded by an assassin. In the end, this was the final shot of the war. Tony won, but it was a costly Pyrrhic victory. He remarked that it wasn't worth it. He learned that we must always pick our battles, especially when they are with friends. Winning isn't everything, especially as sometimes we lose more than we win on that road to victory.
These are but a few of the lessons that Iron Man has taught us over these fifty-odd years. He's been both a great inspiration and teacher to us. He certainly has touched my life in many ways. What other ways can you think of that Iron Man has bettered our world?
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