In a dark new twist,Tony Starkis getting a major redesign that fans have never seen fromIron Manbefore. While Tony is known for creating powerful suits that can match the greatest superhumans in Marvel lore, the ‘ultimate futurist’ is now fully merging with his tech, attempting to combat the terrible damage done to his body in a recent battle against the Hulk.But is this the beginning of Tony Stark’s evolution into a villain?
In recently released solicit information forUltimates #12, Dike Ruan’s cover shows Tony Stark connected to a series of wires and pipes, his hands and face covered in bulky Iron Man tech. A major hero in Marvel’s newUltimate Universecontinuity, Tony has been out of actionsince the Hulk brutally injured him- now, it seems he’s returning to heroism by merging with his tech.
ULTIMATES #12
Cover Artist:
Dike Ruan
THE ULTIMATE FRACTURE! Dissent destroys the Ultimates as a disagreement long developing between two members of the team leads to a devastating departure!
The issue will also see an"Ultimate Fracture"as an Ultimates member leaves the team. While there has been plenty of rivalry among the rebel team,the biggest beef has been between Tony Stark’s Iron Lad and Reed Richards' Doom, with the latter chasing his own projects rather than throwing everything behind the team. This rivalry is made all the more important as Marvel confirms that one of the heroes is destined to become a villain.
Doctor Doom Just Became the Most Important Hero of Marvel’s New Continuity, Redefining His Name Forever
When the Ultimates need him most, Doom proves that he’s a valuable hero to their team, reclaiming his name to embody hope rather than doom alone.
Tony Stark Returns to the Ultimates, Still Badly Injured
Is Tony’s Armor Getting a New Kind of Pilot?
InUltimates #6, Hulk sprang a trap on the Ultimates, crushing Tony inside his Iron Lad armor. It was a huge blow to the team, who Tony and Doomassembled to take on the Maker- a time-traveling villain who has rewritten their entire timeline to set himself up as Earth’s unquestioned ruler. Thanks to a sacrifice by Tony’s father, the Maker is currently locked away, giving the Ultimates a chance to take down his various supervillain underlings, known as the Maker’s Council. However, the Maker’s Council struck back, grievously injuring Tony and causing the team to scatter, each attacking the Maker’s regime in their own ways.
Tony finally woke up from his Hulk-induced coma inThe Ultimates #9, but with each issue meaning another month gone until the Maker’s return, it’s a major problem that he’s already been off the board so long. The comic has stressed how significant Tony’s injuries are, and that he medically died before being resuscitated by Doom’s tech, so it makes sense that Dike Ruan’s cover shows Tony connected up to machinery.Does this mean Iron Lad will be piloting his armor remotely, or is Tony building a new kind of suit around his badly injured body?
Tony Was Already a Zealot, But Now He Has Reason to Pursue True Vengeance
2023’sUltimate Invasion(from Jonathan Hickman and Greg Land) strongly implied that Tony isdestined to become the villainous Kang, throwing away his morals in his attempt to defeat the Maker. InUltimates #8, the Star-Lord of the 61st Century reflected that he knew either Doom or Tony -“the man in the Iron Mask, the man in the Iron Lung”-would be responsible for the deaths of trillions, but couldn’t remember which was which.
While Tony was already on an extreme path in trying to take down the Maker, killing a significant amount of people in his attempts to restore the powers of Marvel’s heroes, now he really has cause to seek vengeance against the Maker’s Council. With confirmation that a hero is about to leave the team, does Tony’s transformation imply that his fall into darkness has begun? Or will this be a triumphant return, with Tony Stark becoming a new kind of Iron Man after a devastating injury, just like his mainstream variant? Fans will only find out asTony Stark’s story continues, but one thing is for sure - a new kind ofIron Manis coming to Marvel Comics.
