- "Does the mask help this all? Help you forget who you used to be?"
- ―Madame Masque to Iron Man[src]
The "Stark Weapons Smuggling Conspiracy" Universe is a universe where Iron Man fought the Maggia and A.I.M. to destroy their Stark Industries weapons, leading to an altercation between Stark and Iron Monger, who was secretly working with A.I.M.
History[]
Early History[]
- "Between all the wine and women, I hardly had time to play in college."
- ―Tony Stark[src]
Howard Stark was a very intelligent businessman and weapons manufacturer who created Stark Industries. Howard worked with a man named Obadiah Stane until his death. Then, Howard's son, Tony Stark took the reigns and was smarter than ever, creating incredible weapons. He was also much of a ladies man as he slept with many, including Whitney Frost, daughter of the head of the Maggia. Tony's personality led to zero accountability on the company's sales.[1]
A Change of Mind[]
Kidnapped[]
- "Alone in a cave surrounded by weapons. That is a very poetic way to die."
- ―Ho Yinsen to Tony Stark[src]
Tony Stark was doing business in Afghanistan when the Ten Rings were able to attack and kidnap Stark. However, Stark suffered injuries, forcing another captive, Ho Yinsen to place an Arc Reactor in Stark's chest.
Tony Stark breaks out
While a prisoner, Stark and Yinsen formed a friendship, which helped Stark as he started building a suit of armor to get them out. The two worked tirelessly until the finishing touches were made, when it was time, Stark made his move while Yinsen stayed back to upload schematics. When the Ten Rings reached Yinsen, he blew up the base and himself to destroy the other weapons. Stark eventually killed Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar and returned home.[1]
Rash Decisions[]
Obadiah Stane's argument
- "This company makes weapons. It is your family legacy."
"'Was'. Legacies change. People change. Maybe it's time for a new company." - ―Obadiah Stane and Tony Stark[src]
Due to his expedition in Afghanistan, Tony Stark realized the lack of accountability he had with his company and decided to shut down all weapons manufacturing until he could figure out a new path for the company. This angered Obadiah Stane, who echoed that he was ruining his own legacy.[1]
Maggia[]
Retaliation[]
Maggia's revenge
- "Uh, Pepper? You piss off Maggia recently?"
"What? Well, we did just cancel a billion dollar deal with them, remember?" - ―Iron Man and Pepper Potts[src]
Due to the news from Stark Industries, the Maggia grew very angry that their weapons dealings were cut short, leading them to try and take weapons that they believed should be theirs. They attacked Stark Industries Headquarters to steal weapons, but their efforts were voided by Iron Man. Stark then decided that he would go out and destroy all of the company's inventory.[1]
Destroying Inventory[]
- "A merger would be a smart move, for both of us. We'd be stronger, more profitable, and safe from outside influence."
- ―Obadiah Stane to A.I.M. President[src]
Iron Man flew to a Ten Rings base where he attacked and destroyed many weapons, including the Dreadnaught. In the end, Stark was pursued by the United States Air Force, who believed Stark to be an enemy. Iron Man got into contact with James Rhodes and explained that it was him.
Stark returned to his mansion and had an argument with Pepper Potts about his recklessness until Rhodes arrived, preparing to berate Stark for his actions. Stark remarked how he was a one man army. Meanwhile, Obadiah Stane found the remains of the Iron Man Armor: Mark I and was intrigued. He called A.I.M. to make a deal. A.I.M. agreed on a merger, but knew they needed a power source.[1]
Taking Down the Maggia[]
Iron Man dodges a missile
- "Tony, why destroy what you have worked so hard to create?"
"Whitney, what are you doing? Stop those missiles!"
"You're doing this, Tony. I have no choice." - ―Whitney Frost and Iron Man[src]
Hearing that the Maggia was transporting weapons, Iron Man found their location and stopped their efforts, killing Mark Scarlotti in the fray. He then decided to pay a visit to their headquarters at Nefaria Compound and destroyed their weapons, leading Whitney Frost to call, trying to get Stark to stop. Even with their history, Stark refused to do so and blew up the power generator, destroying the compound and injuring Frost in the explosion.
The Flying Fortress collapses
Due to losing all of their weapons, the Maggia bought the Flying Fortress from A.I.M. and packed up to go home to their country. Nevertheless, Stark knew he had to finish them and took down the fortress. While doing so, Frost came to a realization about her actions and apologized to Stark. Soon, the fortress crashed into the water, ending the Maggia.[1]
A.I.M.[]
Search for Power Sources[]
Iron Man knew that another organization must have created the Flying Fortress and, with the help of Pepper Potts, found out it was A.I.M. There, Stark was told by James Rhodes of a robbery at a Russian Nuclear Facility.
Iron Man defeats Titanium Man
Iron Man arrived at the facility in the Arctic and found Titanium Man, who could absorb energy into his suit. Stark took him down, believing the assailant to be dead, and returned to his house where he angrily talked with Rhodes about A.I.M.'s recklessness and how he felt he needed to do something about it. Using the Controller Submarine, A.I.M. was able to hijack the prototype destroyer, a United States Air Force ship created by Stark Industries, which had a valuable power source inside. Stark arrived and fought through the Controller Submarine's abilities to destroy the submarine and free the ship.[1]
Stane's Betrayal[]
Iron Man saves Pepper Potts
- "Imagine what the Pentagon could do with an army of Iron Men."
"And imagine what the bad guys could do." - ―Obadiah Stane and Iron Man[src]
Due to Iron Man's actions to destroy A.I.M., Titanium Man flew back in for revenge and attacked at Stark Industries Headquarters. Stark took action and destroyed many power ports to inhibit Titanium Man's abilities before he finished them off for good. An angry Stark met Obadiah Stane in his mansion and the two had it out. Stane explained his position on Stark's recklessness and how they could make a fortune off of Stark's armor. He then tased Stark so he could kidnap Pepper Potts. When Stark recovered, he flew in and saved her.[1]
Ending A.I.M.[]
J.A.R.V.I.S. found a very dangerous item in A.I.M.'s possession known as the Proton Cannon. Iron Man arrived at their island and found the creator was Melter. Much like the others, Stark killed Melter and stopped the cannon, allowing the government to freeze A.I.M.'s assets. A.I.M. fled to their headquarters where they were protected by a barrier. Nevertheless, a determined Stark took down the barrier and destroyed A.I.M.'s facility, finishing them off for good.[1]
The End of the Fight[]
Becoming Iron Man[]
- "You set the ball rolling, Tony. This is the result."
- ―Iron Monger to Iron Man[src]
In Iron Man's last step in security, he faced off against Obadiah Stane, who had created his own Iron Monger Armor. During the fight, Stark was able to lure Stane to the top of the Arc Reactor factory. The reactor was then overloaded by Pepper Potts, causing it to blow up and killing Stane. With the threats gone, Stark made the decision to embrace his Iron Man identity rather than throw it away.[1]
Residents[]
- Stark Industries
- United States Armed Forces
- Ho Yinsen †
- J.A.R.V.I.S.
- Maggia
- A.I.M.
- Ten Rings
- Natasha Romanoff
- Danny Rand
- Tatyana
Landmarks[]
- A.I.M. Headquarters
- A.I.M.'s Island
- A.I.M. Research Facility
- Afghanistan
- Arctic, Russia
- Pentagon
- Los Angeles, California
- Maggia Factory Complex
- Malibu, California
- Nefaria Compound
