Warning! Spoilers for Captain Marvel #30 by Marvel Comics below

Despite wearing a similar suit of armor as Iron Man, War Machine is a much different hero than his fellow Avenger. In the latest issue of Captain Marvel #30, Captain Marvel asks her boyfriend, James Rhodes, why Iron Man gets ten thousand different suits of armor and he just gets one. While the comment is a joke in a heartfelt moment, it gets to the root of the biggest difference between the two heroes. Iron Man adapts, while War Machine tackles problems head-on.

Since debuting in Iron Man #118 more than 40 years ago, War Machine has established himself as a key hero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He’s assisted Tony Stark in countless near-death situations, been a member of the Avengers, and put himself on the line time and time again to save the world. He’s even become Iron Man. Yet, still, it seems many (likely due to his characterization in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) view the hero as Iron Man’s sidekick – when the two couldn’t be more different in their approach as heroes.

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In Captain Marvel #30 by Kelly Thompson, Jacopo Camagni, Espen Grundetjern, and Clayton Cowles, Carol Danvers reconnects with Rhodes after the pair broke up in previous issues. In the midst of battling Ove and the Enchantress, War Machine arrives and reassures her the dark future she fears isn’t set in stone. After kissing him, she jokes about his armor, asking him why, “Iron Man gets ten thousand different suits, and War Machine gets the one?” Rhodey jokes, “I know I’ve filed a complaint with my union.“

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While War Machine is often seen in the same suit outfitted with massive guns, he has worn different suits in the comics. But, Captain Marvel isn’t exactly wrong that his selection is much, much smaller than Iron Man’s. The reason? The pair are different heroes. Iron Man builds suits to adapt to different situations – whether he needs to take down Ultron, Thor, or the Hulk, he has a custom suit at the ready. Meanwhile, War Machine doesn’t have the same scientific prowess as Stark, but he’s much more of a soldier than Iron Man. He uses his tactical prowess to win with what he has – like boosting Captain Marvel with his repulsor blasts to power her up against Enchantress.

War Machine is a fearless hero whose connection with Iron Man will always be a big part of his characterization. But, the way he operates as a hero is strikingly different. Readers can see War Machine take down the Enchantress in Captain Marvel #30, in comic book stores now.

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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