The Infinity Saga sure left its mark in the hearts of many, thanks in no small part to Robert Downey Jr.’s grasp on the Iron Man suit ever since he put it on for the first time and it’s precisely that what made Tony Stark’s final moments so epic and look just as epic in comic cool style.
Although voiced by Mick Wingert instead of Downey Jr. in the new What if…? series, MCU fans will get to see Iron Man at least a couple of times in the animated series, as the show’s many trailers and teasers foreshadow Stark being rescued by Killmonger in Afghanistan. It’s still not clear when that episode will air, but it will definitely leave a better taste for Iron Man fans who recently saw Stark meet his during the third episode, albeit in a far less glorious manner than in Avengers: Endgame.
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To capture this fine MCU moment, South Carolina-based actor and artist John Black (@john.black) was inspired by the same print art style that made Marvel Comics’ the pop culture phenomenon they are today. Despite Iron Man making his debut in 1963, alongside most of the first wave of Avengers, the character reached peak popularity for leading the MCU’s Avengers from 2008 until his 2019 snap of the Infinity Gauntlet.
It’s amazing how the artist has captured the emotion from Downey Jr.’s performance so masterfully, yet while managing to incorporate the actor’s likeness to an older design of Iron Man and replacing the dazzling CGI background from the Battle of Earth with something that looks as if taken straight out of an older issue. Black’s Instagram features plenty of similar artwork showcasing both classic scenes from the comics and newer content created by Marvel Studios, such WandaVision and What If…?’s Captain Carter.
Traditionally, Iron Man did meet his definitive end in the comics, and that death was even more shocking as it came at the hands of Captain America prior to 2015's Secret Wars saga that the MCU has been somewhat teasing with carefully placed easter eggs and plot clues spread out in Shang-Chi and the rest of the show planned for Disney Plus. Don't count on Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role in the future though, because it's probably safe to say Marvel Studios won't' have Doctor Doom revive Iron Man like he did in print format.
Nevertheless, the MCU still hasn't found its new Tony Stark replacement, after already dedicating an entire show to Sam Wilson’s journey to inherit Captain America’s shield, though the way Doctor Strange is mentoring Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home’s trailer certainly has the sorcerer pinned as favorite to succeed Iron Man. However, the way Phase Four is shaping with Kang the Conqueror as its villain, whoever steps up as the Avengers' new leader will have their work cut out for them.
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Source: @john.black|Instagram