EMMA FROST AND TONY STARK'S HISTORY
Ahead of their wedding in X-MEN (2021) #26 and INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2022) #10 revisit the relationship of Emma Frost and Tony Stark! It should come as no surprise that these two have history. Aside from their roles in the Avengers and X-Men, they’re both moguls who share a taste for the finer things in life. Although their relationship hasn’t always been pleasant, there’s no denying the chemistry!
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The Hellfire Club
In Uncanny X-Men Annual (2009) #2
The Hellfire Club is an exclusive group for the world’s wealthy elite—naturally, Howard Stark was a member. Tony inherited his dad’s Hellfire Club membership and first met Emma at one of the club’s infamous soirees. Unfortunately, he wasn’t on his best behavior and failed to make a good impression. Still, these two often reference their times cavorting around the globe together. Perhaps there was a spark after all.
Civil War
In Civil War (2006) #3
During CIVIL WAR, the Super Hero community was torn asunder by the Superhuman Registration Act. Leading the Pro-Registration side, Tony was in need of allies and visited Emma at the Xavier Institute. Emma rebuffed his request for the X-Men’s support, reminding him that during mutantkind’s darkest hour, Iron Man and the Avengers were nowhere to be found. The two parted, promising to stay out of each other’s business…
Heroic Age
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #526
But brighter days were around the corner. For the first time in ages, mutantkind had hope for the survival of their species, while Iron Man enjoyed a new lease on life after a near-death experience. During this period, Tony and Emma even enjoyed a swanky dinner together to heal old wounds and celebrate. They toasted to a stronger bond between the Avengers and X-Men with more communication and less secrets. If only…
Avengers Vs. X-Men
In Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012) #2
To the X-Men, the return of the Phoenix Force was a symbol of rebirth, but to the Avengers, it foretold a world-ending disaster. As the cosmic force headed towards Earth, a war broke out between Marvel’s two biggest teams in AVENGERS VS. X-MEN. Even though Tony came prepared with anti-telepathy tech, that didn’t stop Emma from switching to her diamond form and delivering “the most expensive punch in history.”
Moral Quibbles
In Uncanny X-Men (2013) #3
In the wake of AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, Emma had no choice but to join Cyclops and his band of mutant revolutionaries. When this outlaw X-Men team had a showdown with the Avengers, Emma and Tony got into a passionate debate over which of them was to blame for the tragedies that unfolded. Neither of them would accept responsibility, and it seemed that any fondness the two had for each other was long gone!
Krakoa and Beyond
In X-Men: Hellfire Gala (2022) #1
The founding of Krakoa gave mutantkind a chance to succeed like never before. But with each new accomplishment, Tony grew more uneasy. At last year’s Hellfire Gala, Tony warned Emma that Krakoa’s power plays could have dangerous repercussions. Unbothered, Emma assured him that mutantkind would survive without his help, but she was rattled when Tony implied that certain Quiet Council members had been playing dirty.
A Diplomatic Dinner
In T.E.S.T. Kitchen Infinity Comic (2022) #2
To make up for putting a damper on the Hellfire Gala festivities, Tony invited Emma to a private dinner. Thanks to his new chef Anna Ameyama’s exemplary culinary skills, he was able to impress even Emma’s refined palette. But they still have a long way to go to make amends…