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- "You stood by my side all these years while I reaped the benefits of destruction. And now that I'm trying to protect the people that I put in harm's way, you're going to walk out?"
"You're going to kill yourself, Tony. I'm not going to be a part of it."
"I shouldn't be alive... unless it was for a reason. I'm not crazy, Pepper. I just finally know what I have to do. And I know in my heart that it's right." - ―Tony Stark and Pepper Potts[src]
The Stark Industries Weapons Mongering was a series of events unfolding from Obadiah Stane's thirst for power and money from selling weapons to both the allies and enemies.
Background[]
- "Those are my guns. How did they get my guns?"
- ―Tony Stark[src]
Howard Stark was an infamous weapons developer who owned his own company, Stark Industries. Stark also had a good, lifelong friend, Obadiah Stane, who helped him out with his company.[1] On December 16, 1991, Howard and Maria Stark were killed by Winter Soldier,[3] leaving the company for Stane to take on until Tony Stark took the reigns at age 21.
Tony Stark takes over at Stark Industries
With Tony's expertise in weapons manufacturing, he created even deadlier weapons than before such as the Jericho. For his efforts to help the United States, he was given many awards. However, Stane started resenting Tony and even started selling weapons to enemies behind Tony's back such as the Ten Rings, a terrorist organization in Afghanistan. With Tony standing in his way, Stane ordered a hit on him.[1]
Weapons Mongering[]
Kidnapping of Tony Stark[]
Initial Attack[]
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Tony Stark presents the Jericho
- "You did not tell us that the target you paid us to kill was the great Tony Stark. As you can see, Obadiah Stane... your deception and lies will cost you dearly. The price to kill Tony Stark has just gone up."
- ―Ten Rings Messenger[src]
In February 2008, Tony Stark and James Rhodes traveled to Kunar, Afghanistan, to give a weapons presentation on the Jericho to the United States Air Force. When he was finished, the group drove back to Bagram Air Base with Stark jokingly refusing to ride with Rhodes and instead riding with Airmen, Ramirez, Jimmy Ryan, and Adam Pratt. Stark also got a call from Stane, who said he could not sleep and asked how it went. In the Humvee, Stark made small talk with the group until suddenly, a missile blasted a Humvee; they were under attack.
Shrapnel hits Tony Stark
The Ramirez and Pratt stepped out to try and counterattack, only to get shot, forcing Ryan to leave Stark's side. However, much like the others, Ryan was hit and killed. With no other option, a dazed Stark ran out of the Humvee and tried to take shelter. Suddenly, a missile hit to Stark's right. Stark looked and saw his own company's logo on the weapon before it exploded, sending shrapnel into Stark's chest. Stark was then kidnapped by the Ten Rings.[1]
Captivity[]
Tony Stark kidnapped by the Ten Rings
- "I'm sure they're looking for you, Stark. But they will never find you in these mountains. Look, what you just saw, that is your legacy, Stark. Your life's work, in the hands of those murderers. Is that how you want to go out? Is this the last act of defiance of the great Tony Stark? Or are you going to do something about it?"
- ―Ho Yinsen to Tony Stark[src]
When the Ten Rings got to Tony Stark, they realized who they were actually hired to kill. Knowing how important Stark was, they decided to force their prisoner, Ho Yinsen to do emergency surgery on him. This surgery required Yinsen to put an electromagnet attached to a car battery in Stark's chest in order to stop the shrapnel from reaching his heart. Once the surgery ended, the Ten Rings filmed a video and sent it to Obadiah Stane, telling him the price of killing Stark just went up.
Abu Bakaar makes a deal with Tony Stark
When a confused and dazed Stark finally woke up, he met Yinsen and initially believed that he was torturing him. However, Yinsen explained he saved his life. Suddenly, the Ten Rings barged in and Yinsen told Stark to follow his lead. Abu Bakaar explained (through Yinsen as a translator) that he wanted Stark to make them the Jericho. Stark refused, only to get waterboarded. Once the torture was done, Stark was brought outside where he was shown the Ten Rings supply of Stark Industries weapons. Bakaar explained that if he made the Jericho, the Ten Rings would set him free. Stark agreed, but knew that he would not be set free.
Tony Stark creates an Arc Reactor
With Yinsen's help, Stark went to work and asked for many supplies he needed. Neglecting to tell Yinsen what he was doing, Stark disassembled missiles to get materials and eventually created a mold for a ring. Yinsen, using his steady hands, poured molten metal into the ring. Stark thanked him and finally asked for Yinsen's name. Stark then finished his creation: a miniaturized Arc Reactor that would act as an electromagnet for his heart. With that issue out of the way, Stark went on to his next creation. Flattening out plans, he showed Yinsen blueprints of a suit of armor.
Tony Stark finishes his mask
Three months into captivity, the leader of the Ten Rings, Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar grew impatient, believing that Stark was deceiving him. To get the truth, he started to torture Yinsen, only for Stark to say how he needed Yinsen as a partner. al-Wazar let Yinsen go, but told Stark he had until tomorrow to get him his missile. Therefore, Stark went to work finishing the last touches of the armor, including a mask.[1]
James Rhodes leaves base
Meanwhile, at Edwards Air Force Base, James Rhodes insisted on going back out to Afghanistan to find Stark, ignoring William Gabriel's warnings. However, Gabriel knew what Stark meant to Rhodes and wished him the best.[4]
Escape[]
Ho Yinsen dies
- "My family is dead. I'm going to see them now, Stark. It's okay. I want this. I want this."
"Thank you for saving me."
"Don't waste it. Don't waste your life." - ―Ho Yinsen and Tony Stark[src]
In the morning, Ho Yinsen helped Tony Stark get into his armor, but the Ten Rings came down to investigate their absence from the camera's view. Yinsen needed to initialize the suit's power through a computer program, but realized there was not enough time. Ignoring Stark's pleas to stop, Yinsen ran out with a gun, firing in the air to scare away the operatives. However, he soon ran into a wall of operatives, who shot him.
Tony Stark destroys the weapons
More Ten Rings members came to Stark's workshop but could not find him anywhere. Finally, Stark revealed himself in the armor and attacked. His armor was no match for the operatives as they fell one by one. Stark finally made it to the entrance where he fired a missile at Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar, gravely wounding him. Stark then found Yinsen, who was bleeding out. Yinsen told Stark that it was okay because he was going to see his family in the afterlife. Stark thanked Yinsen for everything as Yinsen told him not to waste his life.
Tony Stark is found
Stepping out of the cave, Stark set fire to all of the weapons and then set off his rocket to fly away as the cave exploded into rubble. A little ways out of the area, Stark's suit lost power as he crash landed in the desert. He took off his armor and walked across the desert all night until he finally spotted helicopters at sunrise. Stark fell to the ground in exhaustion as James Rhodes greeted him.[1]
Clashes at the Company[]
Shutting Down Weapons Manufacturing[]
Tony Stark in a press conference
- "I came to realize that I have more to offer this world than just making things that blow up. And that is why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark International until such a time as I can decide what the future of the company will be what direction it should take, one that I'm comfortable with and is consistent with the highest good for this country, as well."
- ―Tony Stark[src]
Upon returning home, Tony Stark asked for a press conference at Stark Industries Headquarters where he talked about how he saw the men and women of the United States Air Force being killed by the weapons that he created to help them. Therefore, he was shutting down the weapons manufacturing at Stark Industries until he could figure out a better direction for the company. This caused an outcry, especially from Obadiah Stane.
Tony Stark shows his Arc Reactor
Stane met with Stark at their giant Arc Reactor in their headquarters and Stark tried to talk about taking another look at the Arc Reactor technology. Stane called it a dead end, but Stark called his bluff, saying that either James Rhodes or Pepper Potts told Stand about his Arc reactor in his chest. Stane talked to Stark about how they were "iron mongers" and need to supply weapons. He also asked Stark to stay home for awhile while he he handled Stark's press conference announcement.[1]
A Secret Project[]
Tony Stark starts a project
- "I didn't approve any shipment."
"Well, your company did."
"Well, I'm not my company." - ―Tony Stark and Christine Everhart[src]
In his garage, Tony Stark opened a personal project to create a better version of his Arc Reactor and his armor. Meanwhile, Obadiah Stane told Stark that the company was filing an injunction against him, which Stark was confused about since he owned majority stake. Nevertheless, Stark came out with the Mark II version of his armor that he soon went on a test flight with. During the flight, Stark tried to see how high he could go and found that his suit iced over in high altitudes. When he returned home, he saw that Potts had gifted him his old Arc Reactor in a case.
Obadiah Stane reveals his betrayal
While working on a third version of his armor, Stark made in with gold titanium alloy to stop the freezing problem. He then saw a charity event funded by him on the television and decided to go to it while his armor was being painted. There, he was met by Phil Coulson, from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, who wanted to arrange a meeting. The two landed on the 22nd of the month. Additionally, Christine Everhart came up to Stark, claiming he he was being a hypocrite, showing that Stark Industries approved shipments of weapons to Afghanistan. An angry Stark said he was not his company and found Stane outside. Stane explained that this was the direction that company had to take and he was actually the person who tried to boot Stark out.[1]
Battle of Gulmira[]
Tony Stark prepares for battle
While tightening his Mark III armor, Tony Stark watched a news program of the Ten Rings taking over the village of Gulmira, where Ho Yinsen was from. Angry, Stark suited up and flew to Gulmira where he found Abu Bakaar and the Ten Rings using Stark Industries weapons to terrorize the people. Stark easily took care of the operatives before leaving Bakaar to the fate of the people.
Tony Stark takes out a tank
Stark then flew a little ways away where he found the Jericho and promptly blew it up along with other weapons. Suddenly, Stark was shot from the sky by a tank. He rose from the ground and shot a single missile, turning away as the tank blew up. On the way back, the United States Air Force picked Stark up on radar and had no idea what it was. Therefore, they sent in Whiplash 1 and Whiplash 2 to investigate as well as calling down James Rhodes.
Tony Stark is attacked by F-22 Raptors
Rhodes called Stark, who tried to play it off, however, he hung up when the F-22 Raptors arrived. The raptors engaged in a high speed chase with Stark, who made a move to jump off the radar and hide under Whiplash 2's plane. Whiplash 1 spotted it, causing Whiplash 2 to shake of Stark, which made Stark fall right into Whiplash 1's plane, sending him falling. Whiplash 1's parachute did not deploy, so Stark flew after him and activated the chute before leaving. Rhodes was then told by Stark that it was in fact him in a suit. Rhodes told him he owed him a plane.[1]
Assassination of Ten Rings Operatives[]
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Obadiah Stane is shown the Mark I armor
- "This is only a first, crude effort. Stark has perfected his design. He has made a masterpiece of death. A man with a dozen of these can rule all of Asia. And you dream of Stark's throne. We have a common enemy. If we are still in business, I will give you these designs... as a gift. And in turn, I hope you'll repay me with a gift of iron soldiers."
- ―Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar to Obadiah Stane[src]
Obadiah Stane was called by the Ten Rings who revealed that they had recovered Tony Stark's armor that he escaped with. Stane arrived and was told to leave his men outside, which he did. Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar then talked about Stane's betrayal and lies about Stark, but still offered him the blueprints in exchange for an army of armor once they were commercialized. Much to al-Wazar's surprise, Stane used the Sonic Taser to temporarily paralyze him as he took the blueprints and left, having the rest of the Ten Rings operatives killed.[1]
Uncovering Truths[]
Tony Stark argues with Pepper Potts
- "Tony Stark was able to build this in a cave! With a box of scraps!"
"Well, I'm sorry. I'm not Tony Stark." - ―Obadiah Stane and William Ginter Riva[src]
Back at Stark Industries Headquarters, Obadiah Stane opened up Sector 16 to work on his own armor. Meanwhile, Tony Stark asked Pepper Potts for help as he believed Stane was going behind his back on matters they disagreed with. Therefore, he tasked Potts with sneaking a look at Stane's computer. In his office, Potts did just that and uncovered Stane's secret files on his armor as well as a message from the Ten Rings revealing that Stane had set up the hit on Stark.
Obadiah Stane and Pepper Potts talk
Suddenly, Stane arrived and saw Potts at his computer. He tried to play it off and talked to Potts about how much different Stark has been. When Potts left, Stane saw that she had found his files and became stressed. He watched as Potts left with Phil Coulson, who was there for their meeting that he set up with Stark. Potts instead had him follow her to his office so she could explain what was going on. Meanwhile, Stane marched to his scientists and scolded them for not being able to miniaturize the Arc Reactor.[1]
Theft of the Arc Reactor[]
Obadiah Stane steals the Arc Reactor
- "Oh, it's beautiful. Tony, this is your Ninth Symphony. Ah, what a masterpiece. Look at that. This is your legacy. A new generation of weapons with this at its heart. Weapons that will help steer the world back on course, put the balance of power in our hands. The right hands."
- ―Obadiah Stane to Tony Stark[src]
Obadiah Stane still needed an Arc Reactor and knew Pepper Potts went to the authorities, so he made the decision to risk going to Tony Stark's Mansion and stealing his Arc Reactor straight from his chest. Stane showed up just in time as Tony Stark took a phone call from Potts about Stane. Stane used the Sonic Taser to paralyze Stark as he took an extractor and stole the Arc Reactor straight from his chest.
James Rhodes finds Tony Stark
Stane talked about the technological marvel that is the Arc Reactor, calling it Stark's last symphony. Once Stane left, Stark crawled to the basement and found his old Arc Ractor that Potts gifted to him. He smashed it and put it in just as James Rhodes arrived to check on Stark. Rhodes found hs friend on the floor and helped him up. Stark then put on his Mark III armor and left.[1]
Duel of Los Angeles[]
Iron Monger reveals himself
- "How ironic, Tony! Trying to rid the world of weapons, you gave it its best one ever! And now I'm going to kill you with it!"
- ―Iron Monger to Tony Stark[src]
With the help of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, Pepper Potts went to Sector 16 of Stark Industries Headquarters and found Obadiah Stane's plans. Suddenly, Stane in his new Iron Monger Armor attacked, killing many agents on his way to Potts. Potts ran outside where Stane tried to shoot her, but was tackled by Stark, sending them flying into the street.
Tony Stark catching a car
This involved civilians, who drove around the fight. However, Stane managed to grab a car with a family and held it in the air, throwing it at Stark, who managed to catch the car and put it down. Having tanked everything Stark threw at him, Stark decided to take the fight to the skies despite his older Arc Reactor having weaker power. Much to Stark's surprise, Stane could fly as well as he followed Stark high up. Luckily, Stane's armor froze much like Stark's Mark II and fell to the ground.
Tony Stark hides from Iron Monger
When Stark returned to the ground as well, he started taking off his armor so his Arc Reactor would not fail. However, Stane came up behind him, having survived the great fall. Stane grabbed Stark, who deployed flares to get away. He then called Potts and told her she needed to get to the giant Arc Reactor at headquarters and overload it. To buy Potts time, Stark grabbed onto Stane and ripped out his inner wires, destroying Stane's optics and targeting system. Nevertheless, Stane shot at Stark, who was hanging from the roof above the Arc Reactor.
Iron Monger is killed
Stark yelled at Potts to push the button to overload, despite her cries that she did not want to, knowing Stark would die. However, Potts eventually did it and ran. The overloaded Arc Reactor shot a beam into the sky, throwing Stark off to the side and blasting Stane with electricity, short circuiting his suit and causing him to fall into the Arc Reactor, killing him. Stark then laid motionless as his Arc Reactor started losing power.[1]
Aftermath[]
Revealing His Identity[]
Pepper Potts helps Tony Stark
- "I'm just not the hero type. Clearly. With this laundry list of character defects, all the mistakes I've made, largely public."
"Just stick to the cards, man."
"Yeah, okay. Yeah. The truth is... I am Iron Man." - ―Tony Stark and James Rhodes[src]
The next day, Phil Coulson helped Tony Stark with an alibi for the events that happened, trying to maintain Stark's identity while claiming Obadiah Stane died on a plane. Stark took the cards and talked to Pepper Potts, even going as far as to flirt with her. Once it was his turn, Stark stepped up to the podium and talked to the crowd. Christine Everhart raised her hand, calling bull on the news reports claiming that "Iron Man" was Stark's security guard. Stark liked the idea of being called a hero and took one last look at his cards before telling everyone he was Iron Man.
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Nick Fury meets Tony Stark
That night, Stark awoke to his alarm and found a man standing in his living room. The man introduced himself as Nick Fury, saying that he wanted to talk to Stark about the Avengers Initiative.[1]