I like the idea that pre-Iron Man Tony's hedonic lifestyle is form of armour, protecting him from further emotional harm. And then the iron suit he wears that protects him from physical harm. But does that mean when he eventually admits he is Iron Man, he is allowing himself to become vulnerable? And does that mean he has recovered somewhat from the negative influences of his early life?
Ugh! I tend to portray my heroes as not having such negative backgrounds, but then, this style of fiction (the superheroes) depends on exaggeration. Going all out to trowel on every evil thing possible (btw, being a capitalist is NOT one of those things).
There are times where it gets old, but there are other times where it can work. It's a storytelling thing that can either really bring out the colour in a character, then other times, it's a "hurry up and get through the sob story already." Generally, a negative background for a hero is to try to overcome what their weaknesses and their temptations. Tony is very much tempted to turn into his father, and being brought low, allowed him to see what he was actually becoming.
Tony Stark's greatest enemy was himself, and the shadow that loomed over him, and he had to overcome the demons from his past, and break the cycle of abuse, to avoid passing it down to his own children. (Rumours have it that his fiancée Rumiko was pregnant, but unfortunately, she was killed off for the sake of status quo, which is the real problem with superheroes.)
Yeah, lots of food for thought in that essay. And we mustn’t mix apples and oranges. Superheroes are quite different from literary heroes, something I have to keep reminding myself. And knowing part of Tony’s background makes his present self more understandable.
There is still a lot more going on with Tony that I haven't mentioned.
Tony kept the Avengers at arm's length because he didn't trust some of them. He knew Clint was a good guy, who just wanted to do good. He was aware of where Thor stood. But there are others that he doesn't trust, like Black Panther, who isn't exactly a saint. Panther says he doesn't like American heroes meddling in Wakandan politics, even when he employs the Avengers as his hitmen in Wakanda (Not to say they are killing, but he uses them as muscle.) but he goes and meddle into American politics. He plays games with Stark industries, once even handing access to all of Tony Stark's private Iron Man files to Dr. Doom.
It's why he trusts very few people, and you can list them on one hand. (Fujikawa, Rumiko, Spider-Man, Nick Fury and James Rhodes) Everyone else, he looks at with suspicion. And a part of that goes back to his childhood. As I've noted, Jarvis accidentally caused that part, that you can't trust anyone who might seem good. Jarvis over the years has changed as a man, and questioned his actions, but Tony can't fully trust him.
Unfortunately, Tony Stark is a man of addiction. Alcohol, women, work... even going fast in the armour... And all that was put in motion by his father, and others in his board of directors, and in control.
Very good read! You’ve certainly done your homework and it shows. Funny enough, this kind of ties in with the essay I just published on Fatherhood last week. Parents (even parental figures) have such a huge (often underestimated) impact on the lives of their children. To boys, this is especially true when it comes to Dad. Dad is the child’s first example of what a grown man is supposed to be (and the most impressionable one).
I like the idea that pre-Iron Man Tony's hedonic lifestyle is form of armour, protecting him from further emotional harm. And then the iron suit he wears that protects him from physical harm. But does that mean when he eventually admits he is Iron Man, he is allowing himself to become vulnerable? And does that mean he has recovered somewhat from the negative influences of his early life?
Tony’s honestly one of the most tragic characters in Marvel, and easily one of the most interesting.
Ugh! I tend to portray my heroes as not having such negative backgrounds, but then, this style of fiction (the superheroes) depends on exaggeration. Going all out to trowel on every evil thing possible (btw, being a capitalist is NOT one of those things).
There are times where it gets old, but there are other times where it can work. It's a storytelling thing that can either really bring out the colour in a character, then other times, it's a "hurry up and get through the sob story already." Generally, a negative background for a hero is to try to overcome what their weaknesses and their temptations. Tony is very much tempted to turn into his father, and being brought low, allowed him to see what he was actually becoming.
Tony Stark's greatest enemy was himself, and the shadow that loomed over him, and he had to overcome the demons from his past, and break the cycle of abuse, to avoid passing it down to his own children. (Rumours have it that his fiancée Rumiko was pregnant, but unfortunately, she was killed off for the sake of status quo, which is the real problem with superheroes.)
But thanks for reading the essay.
There are superheroes with loving families. Alas, something generally happens to the family.
Very true
Yeah, lots of food for thought in that essay. And we mustn’t mix apples and oranges. Superheroes are quite different from literary heroes, something I have to keep reminding myself. And knowing part of Tony’s background makes his present self more understandable.
Glad it does, he’s tragic and the only time in the comics he was ever happy was when he was engaged to Rumiko Fujikawa.
A very nice analysis. Clearly, Tony's psychological demons are a major driving force on his often unpredictable behavior, on both page and screen.
There is still a lot more going on with Tony that I haven't mentioned.
Tony kept the Avengers at arm's length because he didn't trust some of them. He knew Clint was a good guy, who just wanted to do good. He was aware of where Thor stood. But there are others that he doesn't trust, like Black Panther, who isn't exactly a saint. Panther says he doesn't like American heroes meddling in Wakandan politics, even when he employs the Avengers as his hitmen in Wakanda (Not to say they are killing, but he uses them as muscle.) but he goes and meddle into American politics. He plays games with Stark industries, once even handing access to all of Tony Stark's private Iron Man files to Dr. Doom.
It's why he trusts very few people, and you can list them on one hand. (Fujikawa, Rumiko, Spider-Man, Nick Fury and James Rhodes) Everyone else, he looks at with suspicion. And a part of that goes back to his childhood. As I've noted, Jarvis accidentally caused that part, that you can't trust anyone who might seem good. Jarvis over the years has changed as a man, and questioned his actions, but Tony can't fully trust him.
Unfortunately, Tony Stark is a man of addiction. Alcohol, women, work... even going fast in the armour... And all that was put in motion by his father, and others in his board of directors, and in control.
That was a fascinating read,I wasn’t aware of so much that you discussed in this article. Thanks
Anytime, Dan’s a whiz about Superheroes. Glad you liked it.
Very good read! You’ve certainly done your homework and it shows. Funny enough, this kind of ties in with the essay I just published on Fatherhood last week. Parents (even parental figures) have such a huge (often underestimated) impact on the lives of their children. To boys, this is especially true when it comes to Dad. Dad is the child’s first example of what a grown man is supposed to be (and the most impressionable one).