6 Reasons Ironheart Is a Better Hero Than Iron Man

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In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ironheart is the freshly introduced armored hero, while comic book enthusiasts have been familiar with her for quite some time. Riri Williams emerged in comics back in 2016. This prodigious young woman had decided as early as kindergarten that she wanted to become a scientist, determined to match the genius of Tony Stark. After a tragic drive-by shooting took the lives of her stepfather and best friend Natalie, Riri’s aspirations shifted towards becoming a hero. At just 15 years old, she constructed her initial suit of armor, eventually earning Tony Stark’s approval after using her armor to save numerous lives.

In the Marvel Comics, Ironheart and Iron Man developed a strong bond of alliance, with Iron Man taking on a mentoring role for her. However, Ironheart chose to keep her distance and demonstrated remarkable heroism without needing his support. In fact, she has accomplished feats that suggest she could outshine Iron Man’s heroic deeds in the Marvel universe.

1) She Made Her Armor With No Money Or Experience

In the Ironheart series on Disney+, Riri Williams’ statement that she surpasses Iron Man sparked controversy among fans. She argued that her armor was superior because it was self-constructed without any financial resources or wealth, unlike Iron Man who had access to money and technology. However, Iron Man had an edge due to his exceptional education and training as a Stark, which Riri lacked growing up. While Riri struggled to obtain the technology that Tony Stark later used to create his advanced armor, she was resourceful and self-taught, even going so far as to acquire equipment from M.I.T. Nonetheless, Riri in the comics started with nothing and built everything herself, albeit taking shortcuts along the way. Despite her lack of a privileged education, she taught herself and ultimately succeeded on her own merits.

2) Ironheart Fights For The People

In simpler terms, Iron Man is a character known as an Avenger, often saving the world from various perils. He participated in both the “Civil War” and “Civil War II,” standing firm by his convictions, regardless of which side was considered righteous. It’s clear that he is a hero, but his battles are largely driven by personal motivations, and many of his choices stem from his oversized ego. Ironheart shares this self-assured nature, but her ego manifests differently. Both characters are convinced they are right and ready to prove it through fights. However, the reasons behind their heroic actions differ. Tony Stark battles because he feels the world requires a hero like him. On the other hand, Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart, fights to protect people similar to her friend Natalie, who was a victim of a drive-by shooting. Ironheart prioritizes the common folk on the streets, while Tony focuses on larger threats.

3) Ironheart Wants To Create Technology To Help Others

Tony Stark hails from a lineage of weapon creators. His life took an unexpected turn when he was abducted, wounded, and compelled to assume the role of a superhero due to his unquenchable passion for crafting arms for monetary gain. Despite his efforts to distance himself from that past and abandon the industry, it significantly shaped his existence for numerous years. At its essence, Iron Man was essentially a sentient weapon, with Tony aiming to manufacture similar creations. In contrast, Riri Williams embodies a more altruistic spirit. She is Ironheart not because she yearns for profit or power, but to aid humanity. Additionally, she sought ways to employ the Ten Rings for humanitarian purposes instead of utilizing them as weapons, as they were originally intended.

4) Ironheart Withstood The Temptation Of The Ten Rings

In the comics, the Ten Rings were tools wielded by the character Mandarin. Over an extended period, the conflict between Iron Man and Mandarin was a clash of science versus magic, as the Ten Rings possessed magical abilities. In issue #24 of Iron Man (Vol. 6), Ironheart managed to persuade Tony Stark to let her retain the Ten Rings so she could study their mechanics and utilize them for humanity’s benefit. Stark consented due to his faith in her, but he was also mindful of the potential danger they posed, as they had previously corrupted him. However, Ironheart holds an advantage over Iron Man because she can withstand the spectral influence of the Ten Rings when they attempt to manipulate her. Eventually, she discarded them with Forge’s assistance from the X-Men in Invincible Iron Man (Vol. 5) #14.

5) Ironheart Is More Loyal To Her Friends

One consistent aspect about Iron Man throughout his history has been that he’s hard to fully trust. For instance, in the movie “Civil War,” he advocated for all superheroes to register with the government, or else face arrest and imprisonment in a Negative Zone facility. In the comic “The Crossing,” he deceived the Avengers by working secretly as Kang’s pawn for years. His tendency to lie to his companions has earned him a less-than-favorite status among many Marvel Comics fans.

On the other hand, Ironheart may find it challenging to connect with others, but when it concerns her friends, she stands unwaveringly by them. In the “Outlawed” storyline, she resigned to safeguard her family, yet when the government targeted her fellow Champions, she once again donned her suit and took up arms to shield those she cherishes.

6) Ironheart In No Way Wants Authority Power

One key factor that keeps Iron Man from truly embodying the role of a selfless hero is his insatiable hunger for power. This trait was particularly evident during Civil War, as he imposed his leadership on others, making him an unlikable character. His thirst for control persisted even when he took over SHIELD, with only the mighty, like Thor, managing to challenge his authority. Conversely, Ironheart emerges as a superior hero due to her desire to focus solely on her own life and not seek power or leadership. Instead, she strives to protect people and develop technology aimed at improving the world. Unlike Tony Stark who yearns for control, Ironheart simply aims to be an effective hero, which sets her apart from Iron Man.

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2025-07-04 19:11