Fans of Robert Downey Jr.’s take on Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe know all too well that the character’s personality flaws far outweigh any shortcomings found in his super powered armor. From the villains his former ego-driven pursuits created that later returned to haunt him, to causing a rift in the Avengers by backing the Sokovia Accords, Tony Stark’s greatest weakness is arguably himself, and more specifically, his self-subscribed obligation to protect and save everyone. And the comic books these storylines are based on are no exception – in fact, the lengths to which Tony goes to protect the world are considerably even more extreme.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

One notable trait of Stark in the comics that was left virtually untouched in the films is his alcohol addiction. In the past, this personal obstacle caused him quite the headache, and not just the hangover kind. Binge drinking for several months in response to his personal and business-related issues resulted in the allocation of his fortune, the destruction of almost all his Iron Man suits and Stark International being completely taken from him. Though he managed to sober up and bounce back in typical Marvel hero fashion, Stark’s alcohol problems were only a precursor to the even more destructive ways his addictions would soon manifest.

In Civil War, Iron Man and Captain America’s disagreement is sprung by the Superhuman Registration Act, with Stark and his team backing the new law and Cap and his team rebelling. As a futurist, Stark makes an arguably wise decision in backing the law, hoping to work within the government to diffuse an inevitable outcome. It isn’t until Stark and his team begins working with dangerous criminals – not to mention creating a cyborg clone of Thor that malfunctions and kills Goliath in the heat of battle – that his ambitions get the better of him. Though it can be reasoned that both Cap and Stark lose themselves to this war, it is ultimately Cap who recognizes the boundaries that have been crossed on both sides and surrenders. Meanwhile, Stark assumes the roll of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., further pursuing atonement and control over the chaos he helped create.

And managing S.H.I.E.L.D. isn’t Stark’s first oversight roll, as he’s responsible for initially gathering together The Illuminati, a secret super-group consisting of Earth’s most prominent and intelligent superhumans. The Illuminati faces its most overwhelming challenge during the collapse of the multiverse as alternate Earths from separate dimensions begin crashing into one another. Stark and the Illuminati are forced to make the hardest decision of their lives – commit genocide and destroy an alternate Earth to save their own. Even worse, the sacrifice is futile as yet another alternate Earth arrives to theirs sometime later, colliding and completely wiping each other out. Just before the end, Cap confronts Stark, insisting he admit that the sacrifices he and the Illuminati made in secret were not worth the moral boundaries they crossed. As the world ends in destruction around them, Stark tells cap that he regrets nothing.

Stark’s path from backing the Superhuman Registration Act to assisting in the committing of genocide reveals a road paved with the best of intentions. First revealed by his struggle with alcohol, Stark’s greatest demon is his addiction, and in some of the most destructive cases, his addiction to perusing redemption and saving as many lives as possible. As Cap was able to recognize the greater loss in the name of good that their Civil War caused, Stark only took his compulsion for control to the next level by taking over S.H.I.E.L.D. However, whether Stark’s hand in forming The Illuminati was for the worse is up for interpretation, as it was their prolonging Earth’s destruction by sacrificing another that allowed events to unfold that would ultimately bring their world back into reality. So, to an extent, Iron Man’s greatest weakness, though at times destructive, can also be viewed as a strength.

Flash’s Powers Come With a Genius Weakness That’s Only Getting Worse

About The Author


Andrew Cavalluzzi
(107 Articles Published)

See also  How To Fix High CPU Affecting Meeting Quality Warning

Andrew is a Los Angeles based entertainment writer. As an indulger in all things movie, comic book, video game and TV series related, he spends most of his breathing time racking up knowledge in all those categories. His obsession with the Marvel Universe knows no bounds and his endless pursuit to find the perfect formation of words that best captures his adoration for storytelling will probably be the end of him.

More From Andrew Cavalluzzi