Iron Man
Anthony Stark was a rich heir, millionaire industrialist, inventor, and all-around playboy when he was wounded in Southeast Asia in the mid-1960's. His wounds were such that his heart was weakened by the ordeal, and faced imminent shutdown. Given access to a machine shop and electronics laboratory during his internment as a prisoner of war, Stark fashioned a metallic suit of armor that would not only protect him from the enemy's weapons, but keep his weakened heart pumping as well. Calling himself Iron Man, Stark escaped Asia and returned to his life in the United States.
Quickly becoming one of the more prominent of the new group of superheroes in the Marvel universe, Iron Man found himself fighting a variety of foes including the Melter, the Mandarin, Titanium Man, and the Unicorn. Iron Man was one of the founding members of the Avengers (also including Thor, Ant Man, and the Wasp) who were initially created to defeat a rampaging Hulk. He has since been one of the longest-lasting members of that team, even serving as chairman for a time.
Iron Man's armor has changed considerably over the years, becoming more streamlined and sophisticated as time passed. Initially a dull metallic color, the armor was quickly changed to a golden color for a short time (including when he helped found the Avengers) but was then altered to its more classic red-and-gold configuration, which has remained the basic template for Stark's designs ever since.
Iron Man first appeared in Tales Of Suspense, where he soon found himself sharing the book with fellow Avenger Captain America. In 1968, during Marvel's expansion of their line, he shared a single issue with the Sub-Mariner before getting his own title, which continued for several years. Iron Man has been seen in the regular Avengers title since the late 1960's.
Copyright 2007 Todd Frye
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