"Iron Man 2" heated up the theaters this summer, and soon you can bring the blockbuster movie home with you as it hits Blu-ray and DVD on September 28! As we countdown to the big day, Marvel.com will bring you a look at some of the stories, characters and relationships that influenced the film, as well as a peek or two behind the curtain of the "Iron Man 2" Blu-ray itself!
Every week, a secret cabal of Marvel staffers gathers to discuss the best of the best when it comes to the House of Ideas.
It may seem like Tony Stark can do it all by himself-and he may even think he can-but Iron Man always seems to do best when he has a little help from his friends. Whether it's getting his brain jump-started in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN or taking down Whiplash in "Iron Man 2"-arriving on DVD and Blu-ray September 28-every incarnation of Shellhead counts himself lucky to have a great group of friends and allies.
Aside from Tony's usual support crew of Pepper Potts, Jim Rhodes and the rest of his more mortal pals, Iron Man counts himself as a charter member of the Avengers and maintains working relationships with dozens of other super heroes throughout the Marvel Universe even when they may prefer to be kicking his faceplate in.
This week, the Secret Cabal singles out Iron Man's 10 greatest team-ups.
For each character you get the quick rundown as well as a special spotlight comic courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
As always, these picks reflect the personal choices of the Secret Cabal, not the official opinion of Marvel or Marvel.com, and can be considered subjective at best. Enjoy!
10. IRON MAN & ANGEL
Where it Happened: TALES OF SUSPENSE #49 (1964)
What Happened: An accident high above a Stark factory transforms Angel of the X-Men into an unstable menace and forces Iron Man into an aerial duel with his erstwhile ally.
Why It Makes the List: Not a team-up in the strictest sense, but this provided one of Iron Man's earliest encounter with another Marvel stalwart outside of his Avengers buddies. Angel provided a unique pairing for Shellhead, matching his flight capabilities and also representing an opponent the Golden Avenger needed to hold back against for fear of injury to the young mutant.
Spotlight Comic: TALES OF SUSPENSE #49-The high-flying Angel soars afoul of Iron Man!
9. IRON MAN & THOR
Where it Happened: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: IRON MAN/THOR (2010)
What Happened: A group of maverick billionaires relocate to the moon and plan to destroy the world below, forcing Iron Man and Thor to overcome their recent differences and work as a unit to save the planet!
Why It Makes the List: The recently-returned Thor had plenty reason to be pissed at his longtime compatriot, Iron Man, who used his likeness and DNA to create an out-of-control clone in his absence. Nonetheless, the veteran Avengers had each other's backs during this wild outer space adventure, proving both can put personal grievances aside when Earth's on the line.
Spotlight Comic: THOR #80 (2004)-Iron Man flies to his Asgardian ally's aid as Ragnarok looms!
8. IRON MAN & SPIDER-MAN
Where it Happened: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #7 (2008)
What Happened: Following Iron Man's epic and destructive battle with Ezekiel Stane, he Armored Avenger encounters Spider-Man amidst the rubble of Stark Industries and the duo join forces to foil a scheme by The Tinkerer.
Why It Makes the List: After the devastating events of "The Five Nightmares," Spidey helped bring a little lightness and levity to Tony's life during one of his darkest hours yet. This pairing not only helped mend the rift that existed between the two following Civil War, but gave Iron Man a slight breather before things got even worse.
Spotlight Comic: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #7-Spider-Man swings by to land Iron Man a web in his time of need!
7. IRON MAN & THE FANTASTIC FOUR
Where it Happened: FANTASTIC FOUR/IRON MAN: BIG IN JAPAN #1-4 (2005-2006)
What Happened: Both guests in the country of Japan, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four team up against an army of monsters led by the menacing Apocalypse Beast, forced to even enlist the help of the megalomaniacal Mole Man.
Why It Makes the List: This story allowed Iron Man to enter the Fantastic Four's world, which resulted in us seeing the Golden Avenger and Fabulous Foursome fighting a slew of giant monsters! It's not your average Iron Man story as you get to see him facing off against giant horned dragon creatures or an enormous monkey, but for the FF it's just another Thursday. The fact that it was illustrated by the late, great Seth Fisher makes this meeting of the super powers unforgettable.
Spotlight Comic: FANTASTIC FOUR/IRON MAN: BIG IN JAPAN #1-Shellhead and the FF journey to the Land of the Rising Sun!
6. IRON MAN & CAPTAIN AMERICA
Where it Happened: TALES OF SUSPENSE #1 (1995)
What Happened: Trying to save the president of a Japanese conglomerate, two of the mightiest Avengers run afoul of the terrorist group D.A.N.T.E., with Iron Man's armor being targeted by a virus and Captain America getting captured. The allies must overcome the odds to stop an assassination.
Why It Makes the List: This story cuts to the core of both heroes. In the climactic battle, Iron Man must fight without his corrupted armor while Cap must free himself from imprisonment. Without each other, they never would have been able to defeat D.A.N.T.E., proving that when these two heroes join forces, nothing and no one can stand in their way-even when they can't rely on their powers alone.
Spotlight Comic: CIVIL WAR: CASUALTIES OF WAR #1-Iron Man and Captain America talk-and fight-through their storied history!
5. IRON MAN & WAR MACHINE
Where it Happened: IRON MAN #291 (1993)
What Happened: Following his return from "the dead," Tony Stark and his remote-controlled Iron Man unit must enlist the aid of his estranged friend War Machine against the Battledroids. The armored heroes defeat their enemies, but part on bitter terms.
Why It Makes the List: For years, Tony Stark and Jim Rhodes had been best buddies and a finely-tuned fighting machine, both in and out of armor, trading off the role of Iron Man. However, when Tony faked his own death and neglected to tell his buddy, it caused a serious rift between the two. Rhodey established himself in his own armored identity, first as Iron Man once more, then as War Machine. Their first team-up following Stark's return proved a chilly preview of their relationship to come, though it should be noted they did come out victors over the Battledroids.
Spotlight Comic: IRON MAN #291-The first team-up between Iron Man and the newly-christened War Machine!
4. IRON MAN & MS. MARVEL
Where it Happened: IRON MAN #25 (2000)
What Happened: Ms. Marvel manages to slow down Ultimo and his rampage across the United States long enough for Iron Man to enter the fray and finish the job. Working together helps repair some of the recent bad blood between Carol Danvers and Tony Stark.
Why It Makes the List: For more than a year leading up to this team-up, these Avengers had been at odds with one another, with Tony trying to help Carol come to grips with her alcoholism. This story brought all of that to a conclusion, and provides not only an action packed team-up between Iron Man and Ms. Marvel as they duke it out with Ultimo, but also a far more emotional pairing with Tony and Carol as he helps her through a critical juncture in her life.
Spotlight Comic: AVENGERS #4 (1998)-Ms. Marvel joins Iron Man in the Avengers!
3. THE IRON LEGION
Where it Happened: IRON MAN #300 (1994)
What Happened: With Tony Stark incapacitated, War Machine gathers his allies Happy Hogan, Bethany Cabe, Clay Wilson, Eddie March and Michael O'Brien to don past Iron Man armors as the Iron Legion and battle Ultimo. Stark re-enters the battle at the last second to help take down their foe.
Why It Makes the List: Many times over the years, Iron Man had been there to protect his friends, so when Tony Stark went down, those allies were more than ready to return the favor. The visual of seeing a half dozen Iron Men in action alongside one another against a giant robot really can't be beat. Unfortunately, the Iron Legion went down pretty quick, but caused enough damage for the true Armored Avenger to leap back into action triumphant in brand new duds and with doubled resolve.
Spotlight Comic: SECRET WARS #1-Jim Rhodes wears the Iron Man armor into the Secret Wars!
2. IRON MAN & DOCTOR DOOM
Where it Happened: IRON MAN #149-150 (1981)
What Happened: Flung back to the era of Camelot in mid-battle, Iron Man and Doctor Doom find themselves at odds as usual, when Shellhead joins Arthur's court while the Latverian dictator sides with Morgan le Fay. Ultimately, the two armored figures must work together to return to the present.
Why It Makes the List: In many ways, Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom seem different sides of the same coin: both geniuses, both accustomed to the finer things in life, and both with healthy egos that make them both natural leaders and perhaps their own worst enemies. However, while Doom will ever preserve his own self-interest, Iron Man is guided by a strong moral compass, as witnessed by their respective decisions during this time travel odyssey. In teaming to return home, however, the two men became uncomfortably aware of their similarities.
Spotlight Comic: IRON MAN #149-Doctor Doom and Iron Man tumble backwards in time!
1. IRON MAN & THE AVENGERS
Where it Happened: AVENGERS #1 (1963)
What Happened: When Loki manipulates The Hulk into destroying a train, Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man and The Wasp answer Rick Jones' call for aid. Ultimate uncovering their true enemy, the quartet of heroes, alongside Hulk, defeat the God of Mischief and form the Avengers.
Why It Makes the List: The formation of the Avengers remains one of the most pivotal and important moments in the history of the Marvel Universe. Unlike the Fantastic Four or X-Men, the Avengers' agenda has always been about safeguarding the world as opposed to exploring the universe or protecting their own kind. Tony Stark's genius, charisma and funding has always played a major role in sustaining Earth's Mightiest Heroes, and he proved his worth from day one in battle with The Hulk and Loki. In short: Without Iron Man, there would likely be no Avengers, and the Marvel Universe would be a very different-and more dangerous-place.
Spotlight Comic: AVENGERS #1 (1963)-Earth's Mightiest Heroes assemble for the first time!
To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com
Not a subscriber to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited yet? Join now!
Download SPIDER-WOMAN and ASTONISHING X-MEN Motion Comics now on iTunes! For more information on motion comics, visit the Marvel Motion Comics hub!"
Download episodes of "X-Men: Evolution", "Wolverine and the X-Men", "Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes", and "The Super Hero Squad Show"
now on iTunes!
Check out the official Marvel Shop for your favorite Marvel Heroes!
