Tony Stark’s 10 Best Iron Man Suits in the MCU

Tony Stark is many things — genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. Just ask him! But in truth, Tony Stark showed one of the most monumental heroic arcs in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. While he might have started off as an out-of-touch entrepreneur, he grew into an exemplary Avenger.

In fact, his legacy still inspires new heroes to this day — Peter Parker and Riri Williams, to name a few. Through his unforgettable sacrifice, Tony Stark also helped give the entire universe another chance at survival. Over the years, Tony has utilized many iconic Iron Man suits in his heroic career. Here’s a look back at the top 10 Iron Man suits from the MCU, chosen for their unique designs and thematic importance.

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Mark I (Iron Man)

With just one look at this hefty scrap metal contraption, you can hear the clunky clanks as Tony Stark makes his silvery debut. Obviously this suit lacks the groundbreaking technology of future iterations, but Mark I is the vital first step in Tony’s journey toward becoming a bonafide hero. Plus, considering the limited resources he had while stuck in that cave, this suit is an astounding work of genius. And hey, it got the job done — Tony escaped with an all-new perspective, thanks to his newfound ally Ho Yinsen. The unexpected kindness from Yinsen, along with an electromagnet to keep Tony’s heart going, provided the jumpstart to a legendary career as Iron Man. Cue the Metallica.

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Mark II (Iron Man)

Of course, genius can always be improved upon … and metal can always be shined up to look brand new. Once Tony returns home, he revisits his initial Iron Man suit design and crafts this striking all-silver suit. It stands out from future versions of the Iron Man suit because of its complete silver appearance, but the ultra shiny exterior and polished plates show the innate flair that Tony has for heroics. You gotta look like a million bucks if you’re gonna spend a million bucks, after all. The Mark II suit is unique among the additions to Tony’s growing Hall of Armor, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last Iron Man suit to break the mold.

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Mark III (Iron Man)

Okay yes, at this point it probably seems like we’re just going in chronological order but these first three suits in the Iron Man trajectory represent the rapid progress Tony made in suit design. Looking from Mark I to Mark III, Tony’s suit design has already arrived at the iconic design that Iron Man fans love. The Mark III Iron Man suit is the first integration of red and gold plates to cover the suit’s complex interior workings. While silver was certainly a unique step in Iron Man’s design, there’s no denying that the red and gold are immediately recognizable. This color combination is a little flashy, but that also fits Tony Stark’s larger-than-life personality. Not to mention this suit is the first time Tony realizes that the palm repulsors can be utilized as weapons.

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Mark V (Iron Man 2)

Mark V heralds a return to silver with this awe-inspiring combination of hot rod red and extra shiny silver. But the main attraction with this suit is the way it can be packed right up into a handy suitcase disguise — perfect for impromptu battles against super-villains like Whiplash. This suitcase capability allows Tony greater versatility in switching from business endeavors to super heroics. While he doesn’t necessarily need the tech to uphold a secret identity, it sure does make commuting much easier. A collapsible suit is a building block that will lead to later innovations in Iron Man suit functionality, especially when it comes to quick access.

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Mark VI (Iron Man 2)

The arc reactor is the central fixture of Iron Man’s suit. Not only is it a focal point of the suit’s overall design, it also helps keep Tony Stark alive. Back when he was captured by the Ten Rings, Tony needed Yinsen’s help to construct a way to keep shrapnel from damaging his heart. Now, the arc reactor completes this job as well as centralizes the suit’s functionality. In short, that arc reactor is working more over time than Pepper Potts and Happy combined. When he must go up against Whiplash, Tony constructs an even stronger, more efficient arc reactor to be placed in the Mark VI suit. Later, this new and improved suit even helps him capture Loki and repair a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.

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Mark XLII (Iron Man 3)

Tony’s Mark XLII brought in the beginnings of many integral tech capabilities of future Iron Man suits. Plus, gold plating not only makes a comeback but it is now more prominent than the hot rod red. This suit is worn by Tony when he begins using the Iron Legion as a means of Avengers support. It’s also important as the stage in which Tony’s suits begin using propulsion systems more widely as well as automated assembly. At this point, the automation is controlled by microchips implanted in Tony’s arm.

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Mark XXI (Iron Man 3)

No MCU marathon would be complete without asking J.A.R.V.I.S. to initiate House Party Protocol. When Tony Stark gives J.A.R.V.I.S. this command in Iron Man 3, the Iron Legion displays its full might against Aldrich Killian and his Extremis plot. But Iron Man 3 also gives us the one-of-a-kind Midas Suit, AKA Mark XXI. All that glitters might not be gold but this suit does a pretty good job of living up to its exterior — the Midas Suit looks like a comet racing across the sky as Tony Stark uses the suit’s supersonic flight abilities. Just, uh, don’t make any sudden movements. It’s not exactly a finished prototype.

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Hulkbuster (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

Hulk smash, and Hulkbuster SMASH. This red and gold monolith is meant to be an Iron Man suit that can take on Bruce Banner’s gamma-radiated alter ego, especially when he is out of control. Mark XLIV is basically a classic Iron Man suit decked out with extra armor and padding so that it can withstand the monumental force of a Hulk punch, throw, or tackle. Unlike the lean profile of Iron Man’s other suits, the Hulkbuster mirrors the Hulk’s rippling muscles so that it can reign him in when necessary. Fortunately, this suit proves to be capable of doing exactly what it’s built for on more than one occasion, especially during Age of Ultron when Wanda Maximoff ignites the Hulk’s rage. Only the Hulkbuster, codenamed Veronica, can beat Bruce Banner into temporary submission. Talk about friendly fire.

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Mark L (Avengers: Infinity War)

As the Infinity Saga reached its harrowing climax, the Avengers had to summon every bit of power and ingenuity in the war against Thanos. Tony Stark’s latest upgrade to the Iron Man suit was the implementation of nanotechnology, allowing the Mark L suit to morph and shift in real time, sprouting various weapons and adapting to enemy attack. Nanotechnology would prove to be the peak in Iron Man suit design because of the impressive flexibility it allows its wearer during battle. Plus, that metallic rippling effect looks super cool.

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Mark LXXXV (Avengers: Endgame)

Finally, we have the Mark LXXXV, Iron Man’s suit in Avengers: Endgame. This suit still employs nanotechnology for on-the-fly augmentation in a fight, but it also features the Nano Gauntlet once Tony integrates the Infinity Stones into the suit. While the Avengers and their allies put up a valiant fight against Thanos, the Mad Titan is still nearly impossible to beat. Mark LXXXV is easily the most iconic Iron Man suit because it represents Tony Stark at his best: brave, inventive, and surprisingly selfless. Though the armor smolders with the effects of Thanos’ forces, the Mark LXXXV gives Tony a fighting chance to set everything right throughout the universe, even if the cost is more than anyone could have imagined. Suddenly we’re not feeling so good…

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Which Iron Man suit is your all-time favorite? 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!