| For other uses, see James Rhodes (disambiguation) |
| For alternate versions of James Rhodes, see James Rhodes's Character Hub |
James Rupert "Rhodey" Rhodes is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and liaison to Stark Industries, as well as one of Tony Stark's closest friends. Stark confessed to Rhodes his identity as the man inside a suit of armor once Stark started to use his creation to battle the Maggia and other criminal groups that were using his company's weapons, and Rhodes helps him by feeding him information about the Maggia and later A.I.M., a company rival to that of Stark's and also involved in the weapons smuggling.
Biography[]
Discovering Iron Man[]
- "What's your blood alcohol level, Tony? What in the hell are you doing?"
- ―James Rhodes to Tony Stark[src]
Rhodes and the United States Air Force discovered an unidentified object flying through the sky. The object connected to the Air Force's system, revealing he was a person and claiming to not be an enemy. Rhodes recognized the voice as belonging to Tony Stark, who promised to explain if the soldiers did not shoot him. Rhodes asked how drunk he was and what he was doing, but Stark simply said that he would explain and asked him to call off the pilots. Rhodes allowed Stark to leave the area.
Rhodes went to Stark's workshop and demanded to know what he was doing. Stark insisted that the Maggia were the problem, not him, but Rhodes countered that the problem was that he was fighting a war while not a soldier. Stark acknowledged that he was not a soldier, referring to himself as an army and swearing to bury the Maggia.[2]
Working with Iron Man[]
Destroying the Maggia[]
- "So Rhodey, you gonna be my wingman?"
"I'm gonna keep you the hell away from my men." - ―Tony Stark and James Rhodes[src]
Rhodes hesitantly agreed to work with Tony Stark and told him about a Maggia armory which Stark flew to. Rhodes noted that the armory would be difficult to find due to the sandstorm. Stark found a weapons transport, so Rhodes told him not to lose it. Rhodes watched and notified Stark as he approached the main weapons cache. Stark destroyed the base, and Rhodes complimented his flying, offering him a chance to join the Air Force. Stark turned him down, so Rhodes asked what Stark would do now. Stark said that he was only starting.
Stark then flew to the Nefaria Compound and explained to Rhodes that a significant amount of Maggia weapons were stored there. Rhodes attempted to compact Whitney Frost, the person in charge of the compound, but was unable to. Rhodes saw on the satellite that there were several bunkers within the compound and speculated that Frost was in one of them. Frost fired Prometheus Missiles at civilian areas, so Stark had Rhodes evacuate the areas in case Stark could not stop the missiles. Once all the missiles were destroyed, Rhodes congratulated Stark.
Rhodes heard Frost taunting Stark over their communication line, causing Rhodes to realize that Stark used to know Frost. He commented on the amount of Stark Industries weapons Stark destroyed. As Stark flew to the Flying Fortress to find Frost, Rhodes noted that the Maggia were falling apart due to not having weapons to sell. He asked if Stark was sure he was ready to confront the Flying Fortress, but Stark insisted it would be easy. Stark successfully destroyed the fortress.[2]
Robbery of the Russian Nuclear Facility[]
- "Have your weapons always been limited by the power supply?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Because power sources are what A.I.M. is after." - ―James Rhodes and Tony Stark[src]
Rhodes found Tony Stark looking through Stark Industries' records for more weapons to destroy. He saw as Stark got overwhelmed by the amount of records and asked Pepper Potts to search through it, prompting Rhodes to ask if it was Stark's first time looking through them. Stark countered that it was his first time wanting to know who was using his weapons. Rhodes defended one of Stark's big clients, the Pentagon, prompting Stark to become suspicious that Rhodes was trying to buy the Iron Man armor. Rhodes told Stark about a problem with a nuclear base in Russia to which they could not send in troops. Rhodes explained that A.I.M. were involved, and Potts called back and revealed them to be Stark's biggest buyer.
As Stark approached the base, he commented on A.I.M. claiming to be advanced yet using his technology, prompting Rhodes to ask if he wanted compliments. Rhodes said that no one's technology was better than his, and Rhodes explained that his Arc Reactor made it even better. This caused Rhodes to realize why A.I.M. was searching for power sources, since Stark's technology had been limited by power supply. Stark began fighting and suggested that the people who run A.I.M. had lost their sanity and should not be launching military attacks. Rhodes reassured Stark that he was doing the right thing. Rhodes noted that A.I.M. had loaded their power sources onto a train, so Stark set out to stop the train.
Stark stopped the train and moved to the next block of the facility and attacked the A.I.M. soldiers inside. J.A.R.V.I.S. told Stark that there was more radiation in the block, and Stark asked Rhodes what it was. Rhodes did not know and told Stark to be careful since they were seeing an unknown heat signature. Stark defeated A.I.M., including Boris Bullski.[2]
Hijacking and Retaking of the Air Force Ship[]
- "Careful. Any casualties, I can't protect you."
- ―James Rhodes to Tony Stark[src]
Tony Stark returned home and argued with Rhodes, insisting that it was insane to attempt to steal from a nuclear facility. Rhodes tried to get Stark to talk, but Stark continued his rant about A.I.M. being a menace. Rhodes continued to try to talk, but Stark continued, directing Rhodes' attention to footage of A.I.M.'s attempt to trigger a meltdown. He explained that he felt a sense of obligation to do something about A.I.M.'s activities. Rhodes cut in and told Stark that the United States Air Force had lost contact with a ship and that they believed A.I.M. to be responsible. Stark left, telling Rhodes to brief him as he flew.
As Stark arrived at the ship, Rhodes explained that they had lost contact an hour prior and discussed the value of the ship. Rhodes asked why they would take the ship, and Stark suggested it was for the power source. Stark found the cargo bay where the soldiers were being held and opened its doors, and Rhodes warned that he would not be able to protect Stark in the event of casualties. Stark freed the soldiers, and Rhodes ordered them to lay low while Stark continued fighting. Stark destroyed the first reactor, and J.A.R.V.I.S. reported that A.I.M. had already left with the second. Rhodes reminded Stark not to allow A.I.M. to leave with the reactor. Stark destroyed the reactor, and Rhodes noted that they had now seen two A.I.M. projects focused on a power source, wondering what they hoped to power. Stark said that it required a lot of power, prompting Rhodes to ask what Stark sold them. Stark defended himself, explaining they received the regular weapons, so the pair wondered where they had gotten the new technology.[2]
Attack on Iron Man[]
- "It's AIM, isn't it?"
"They just won't quit." - ―James Rhodes and Tony Stark[src]
Rhodes heard about an attack at Stark Industries Headquarters and contacted Tony Stark to ask what was happening, so Stark explained that Boris Bullski was attacking him. Rhodes recognized Bullski as being with A.I.M., and Stark commented that they would not quit. Rhodes heard Bullski call for reinforcements and confirmed that Stark heard the same. As helicopters arrived at the scene, Stark asked Rhodes if they belonged to the Air Force. Rhodes apologized as they did not.[2]
Rescue of Pepper Potts[]
- "Tony, take it easy. You shouldn't even be alive after that."
- ―James Rhodes to Tony Stark[src]
Rhodes heard that Pepper Potts had been kidnapped and went to Tony Stark's workshop, where he found Stark unconscious. Rhodes woke Stark up and revealed that Potts had been kidnapped, so Stark rushed to rescue her. As Stark flew, Rhodes told him to take it easy, but Stark insisted that he had to find Potts and asked to make sure it was the right location. Rhodes said he was positive and that it was an A.I.M. research facility, and Stark told him to find Obadiah Stane, Potts' kidnapper.
Rhodes discovered that Stane had disappeared using the Stark Industries Private Jet and did not leave a flight plan. He told Stark, who swore and reached the main part of the facility. Stark asked where in the facility Potts was, but Rhodes explained that he did not know due to A.I.M. cloaking the facility with EMP Generators. As Stark fought, J.A.R.V.I.S. warned of a missile targeting their main reactor, causing Rhodes to wonder why they would do that. Stark explained that Potts was in the reactor. Rhodes suggested that A.I.M. was desperate to resort to such a tactic.
Once Potts was safe, Rhodes commented on how out of control A.I.M. was and said he would talk to the United States government for support, but Stark told him not to since it was his responsibility. Rhodes was hesitant, but Stark changed topics and said he was bringing Potts home.[2]
Tony Stark's Vendetta[]
- "Hey Tony, you see military hardware?"
"Just the stuff that's kicking my ass. I'll let you know." - ―James Rhodes and Tony Stark[src]
Tony Stark discovered an island which A.I.M. was using to develop a weapon and flew towards it while Rhodes complimented his efforts. Rhodes asked if Stark had analyzed the weapon, and Stark explained that it was deadly and he would not have designed it as he attacked the facility. Rhodes detected someone on the island, and Stark explained that he recognized the deign of the weapon as belonging to Bruno Horgan. However, Rhodes told Stark about A.I.M. launching a tethered satellite with a solar collection grid.
Stark flew to the tether for the satellite as Rhodes explained that A.I.M. was in hiding due to Stark's efforts freezing their assets. Rhodes confirmed for Stark that he was arriving at A.I.M.'s headquarters. Pepper Potts found Obadiah Stane at Stark Industries Headquarters, so Rhodes ordered an evacuation of Los Angeles to avoid collateral damage once they attacked Stane. Rhodes asked Stark to find a computer terminal in A.I.M.'s headquarters to find what Stane was hiding, which Stark successfully did. Rhodes asked if Stark saw military hardware, so Stark explained that the soldiers were using it. Rhodes then reported once the evacuation of Los Angeles was complete. Potts noted that they could not find Stane, so Stark assured them that it did not matter since he would be returning soon.
Stark ended up near A.I.M.'s main computer, which Rhodes told him. Stark assured Rhodes that he would find the computers and destroyed their mainframe. As Stark continued through the headquarters, he came across a series of armors which Rhodes noted looked similar to his own. Stark got worried and destroyed the armors. Rhodes searched through the data which Stark had stolen and found that the battle suits were controlled from a central location, which Stark said would make his job easier. Stark destroyed the emitter, ending A.I.M., and said that it was Stane's turn. Rhodes asked what he meant, but Stark simply said he was going home.
Later, Rhodes watched as Stark attempted unsuccessfully to convince Stane to stop. Rhodes helped Stark work on his armor as Stane revealed that he had taken Potts hostage. Stark and Rhodes shared a look, and Stark threatened Stane. Stark then left to defeat Stane.[2]
Personality[]
Rhodes felt a strong sense of responsibility for the soldiers he fought alongside. Realizing that he would not be able to stop Tony Stark from fighting the Maggia, he decided to help Stark with the purpose of keeping him away from potentially hurting members of the United States military. Once he realized Stark was skilled at fighting and flying the armor, he invited Stark to join the military and trusted him to help rescue his soldiers from Basil Sandhurst, knowing the military would not get to them as fast. However, this loyalty did not stop Rhodes from being willing to bend the rules for his friend. He initially came across Stark operating illegally, but once Stark saved Whiplash 1's life, Rhodes was willing to call his troops back.
Abilities[]
- Expert Tactician: Rhodes was able to use intelligence from the United States Air Force to choose strategic targets for Stark to attack in order to take down both the Maggia and A.I.M.
- Expert Pilot: As a member of the United States Air Force, Rhodes was a skilled pilot.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[] |
