The 50 best Iron Man moments

Going Psycho

The Moment: It all gets a bit nuts as Tony Stark/Iron Man goes haywire, murdering Yellowjacket, attempting to murder Wasp, and then blaming Hawkeye for his big, bloody mess.

As Seen In: Civil War

Why It's Cool: It’s just so nuts we can’t help but love it – Iron Man on a mayhem binge = thrilling.

If It Had Been Batman:
It would’ve been Robin who got bumped off, and Aquaman who shouldered the blame.

Destruction

The Moment: Tony Stark lies in a coma, so War Hammer recruits his buddies Happy Hogan, Eddie March, Bethany Cabe, Mike O’Brien, and Carl Walker, kits them out in Iron Man suits and sends them off to stop Ultimo.

As Seen In: ‘Appetite For Destruction!’ Iron Man #300

Why It's Cool: You want destruction? This special anniversary issue certainly delivers it.

If It Had Been Batman: Alfred would recruit a load of Bruce Wayne’s buddies and pop them in Batsuits. Then train them in how to growl like a dog. Ooo, menacing.

Widow Flip

The Moment: We finally get to see Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in action as she takes on swarming security guards.

As Seen In: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Why It's Cool: We just can’t get enough of that flippy move.

If It Had Been Batman:
Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be anywhere near as sexy.

Mark I

The Moment: Tony suits up for the very first time in his Mark 1 armour, busting out of his confinement in suitably fiery fashion.

As Seen In: Iron Man (2008)

Why It's Cool:
This is where it all begins – Tony Stark is Iron Man, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

If It Had Been Batman: The suit would have been less bulky. And come with abs.

Tony Tests

The Moment: Tony tries out his new technology, but things don’t exactly go to plan.

Face? Meet concrete wall.

As Seen In: Iron Man (2008)

Why It's Cool: It’s sort of slapstick, but it works – mostly thanks to Downey Jr’s reactions.

If It Had Been Batman: Batman and slapstick don’t exactly go together…

Crash And Burn

The Moment: Cyborg warrior Deathlok turns up to make things difficult for Iron Man, as does crazy symbiote Venom.

Culminates with Stark deciding to close Stark Industries.

As Seen In: ‘Crash And Burn’ Iron Man #301-#306

Why It's Cool:
We get cameos in the form of Venom, Hulk and Captain America. Now that’s value for money.

If It Had Been Batman:
Bruce Wayne closing Wayne Enterprises? Unthinkable.

Quick Comeback

The Moment: “Take that off and what are you?” jibes Captain America (Chris Evans), attempting to take Tony down a peg or two.

Tony’s reply? “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.”

As Seen In: Avengers Assemble (2012)

Why It's Cool: It’s typical Tony – and he has a point.

If It Had Been Batman: Batman’s reply? “Billionaire.”

Doctor Doom Team-Up

The Moment: Iron Man and Doctor Strange get sucked back in time and land in King Arthur’s realm.

Yes, they meet the King and, more importantly, Merlin.

As Seen In: ‘Doomquest’ Iron Man Vol. 1 #149-150

Why It's Cool: It’s Iron Man in Camelot!

Which is one grade cooler than Monty Python in Camelot.

If It Had Been Batman:
He would have called himself the Dark Knight.

Rock Bottom

The Moment: It looks like the end for Iron Man when an LMD robot impersonates him, leaving him and his company in ruin.

As Seen In: Iron Man Vol. 1 #17-23

Why It's Cool: It stands up as an awesome Iron Man storyline despite coming from a comic era that looks increasingly dated.

If It Had Been Batman: Batman’s rock bottom probably looks like a sales queue in Primark. Cry us a river, rich boy.

Suits You

The Moment: In his lab, Tony’s new and improved Iron Man armour is pieced together for him by handy computer helper J.A.R.V.I.S.

As Seen In: Iron Man (2008)

Why It's Cool: Who doesn’t want to be dressed by robots?

If It Had Been Batman:
It would be Robin who dressed him.

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.