Iron Man’s 6 Best MCU Team-Ups in the Infinity Saga

As a founding member of the Avengers, Tony Stark was a super hero who knew the value of a team-up. He might not have always wanted the help but, in the end, Iron Man was even stronger because of the alliances he formed as a Marvel hero.

In honor of Stark Week Day 4, let’s look back at the best Iron Man team-ups from throughout the MCU Multiverse!

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Black Widow

When Nat and Tony first met, she was undercover as Natalie Rushman. She only revealed her Black Widow persona later when the situation called for it. Nat’s covert mission from Nick Fury enabled her to get to know Tony, the man underneath the metal. Though their interactions were a bit … charged at times, their quick-witted exchanges soon began an Avengers tradition on the battlefield.

Together, Nat and Tony faced threat after threat. With time, their respect for each other grew from astonishment to admiration. No doubt they saw in each other the deep love they held for those around them, and the willingness to sacrifice whatever it took to save those very people.

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Nebula

When it’s the end of the world, you find yourself with unlikely allies. Tony, a human from Earth with an ego the size of the galaxy, and Nebula, a discarded cyborg daughter of a Mad Titan, weren’t exactly the likeliest of pairs. The Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t even know who the Avengers were!

However, when stranded in space after a failed showdown with Thanos, they found ways to support each other. Tony taught Nebula how to play Earth games to pass the time and Nebula cared for Tony’s declining health. Their time together showed that friends can arrive when you least expect them, and those relationships can be the ones you need the most.

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Spider-Man

Sidekicks aren’t an extremely common occurrence in the Marvel Multiverse, but mentorship definitely is — and few Marvel mentorships are as beloved as that of Iron Man and Spider-Man.

The MCU’s Peter Parker is a teenager through and through. He is constantly in awe of his fellow Avengers but he also needs guidance in developing his heroic persona. There’s a lot more to it than just punching stuff and crawling up walls. And that’s where Tony came in. For Peter, Tony was a father figure who not only gave advice but also support and tough love. Besides, there’s no way you didn’t spill some tears during those goodbyes in Endgame. You know the ones.

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Captain America

Alright, now this team-up has definitely hit its fair share of rough patches. Tony and Steve Rogers were remarkably different in many ways. Whereas Tony was a wisecracking showman, Steve was all about old-fashioned manners and upholding justice. He could barely say a curse word in the heat of battle!

On the other hand, these two men shared a key similarity: Both Iron Man and Captain America were extremely stubborn. Captain America: Civil War showed their dedication to what they each believed was right. But even the devastating effects of the Avengers’ Civil War couldn’t keep them apart forever. They still had the utmost respect for each other. When it came down to it, they were willing to set aside differences to work together for the greater good.

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James Rhodes

A true best friend, one who accepts you flaws and all, is not easy to come by. In fact, it might even be harder for a super hero to find this in another person. Unless, of course, that other person is also a super hero.

That’s where Rhodey comes in. James “Rhodey” Rhodes and Tony Stark had known each other for years, through their best and worst times. Despite misunderstandings and disappointment, their friendship was more powerful than any Stark Tech suit. And that’s saying a lot.

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Pepper Potts

If there’s one person in the whole Multiverse who knew Tony the best, it’s Pepper Potts. Somehow, she learned to love a difficult man like Tony Stark, and her influence even shaped him into a better man.

Their love lit up skylines and defied super hero stereotypes. How many successful hero marriages can you point to? (Sorry WandaVision.) During the final stand against Thanos, Pepper even led the charge as Rescue, no doubt inspired by the hero she loved so dearly. In the end, Pepper’s words were the last thing Tony heard before he could finally rest — and it was all okay.

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Which of Iron Man’s team-ups are your favorites? Celebrate Stark Week and join the conversation with other Marvel fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!