7 Essential Ironheart Comics You Need to Read

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Riri Williams, a brilliant young inventor, debuted in Marvel Comics’ “Invincible Iron Man” (Vol. 3) in 2016, created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. With aspirations to create her own Iron Man suit and join the ranks of superheroes, Riri lacked both finances and technological resources. She ingeniously obtained these from MIT University’s Science Center, which eventually drew the attention of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Impressed by her talent, he offered to support her heroic endeavors, leading her to become part of the young superhero team, The Champions.

Riri Williams, a new character introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, worked alongside Shuri (now the Black Panther) against Namor. As Ironheart now stars in her own Disney+ series, it’s worth diving into some of her most notable comic book stories to grasp why Ironheart stands out as such a unique Marvel character.

1) Invincible Iron Man (Vol. 3) #12

In this comic book, it was by sheer chance that Iron Man crossed paths with Ironheart for the first time. Riri Williams had created her own armor to halt a prison break, but in the process, it got damaged. To avoid being arrested for stealing MIT’s equipment for repairs, she found herself in trouble. During one of Tony Stark’s visits, he learned about her predicament and decided to investigate. Upon reaching her residence, he demanded a demonstration of her work. Riri Williams was only 15 years old, but she managed to impress Iron Man with her ingenuity. It was during this encounter that he bestowed his approval on her, setting her on the path towards heroism.

2) Invincible Iron Man (Vol. 4) #1

In summary, the original Iron Man series concluded only two issues following Tony Stark’s encounter with Riri Williams. Subsequently, Tony fell into a coma following the happenings of Civil War II. This marked the beginning of a new series titled Invincible Iron Man, but this time focusing on Ironheart as the primary character. This change is significant as it delves into Riri Williams’ past, including the tragic deaths of her stepfather and best friend at the hands of a drive-by shooter when she was just 12 years old. The inaugural issue also presents Tony’s last gift before his coma – an AI designed to aid Riri with her armor.

3) Invincible Iron Man (Vol. 4) #9-10

> As Ironheart, I found myself thrust into the limelight when I spearheaded the liberation of Latveria from the iron grip of dictator Lucia Von Bardas. At SHIELD’s behest, I ventured to Latveria and, with a bold proclamation, claimed the throne. The ensuing confrontation between Latverian forces and SHIELD was tense, but I skillfully negotiated a peace treaty, paving the way for Latveria’s first free elections. In that moment, I realized that my intellect was every bit as formidable as any suit of armor I’ve ever crafted. Amusingly, I reflected on the fact that this was merely my fifth battle.

4) Champions (Vol. 2) #19

During the “Secret Empire” storyline, Riri Williams (Ironheart) initially teamed up with her first group. This was when Captain America was exposed as being with Hydra and took control of the U.S. government. Alongside The Champions and The Underground, Riri fought against Hydra’s rule. Following that period, as things started returning to normal in the country, Ironheart officially became a member of The Champions. She joined at the same time as the new Wasp. This marked a significant moment for her because it was the first time she felt like she truly belonged to a superhero family.

5) Ironheart #9

Fans of Marvel Cinematic Universe can’t wait for the collaboration between Ironheart and Shuri, which initially occurred in the comics when Riri Williams traveled to Wakanda on a mission and encountered Shuri for the first time. In this encounter, Riri was impatient and somewhat rude due to her urgent need for assistance, but Shuri didn’t immediately grasp the urgency of the situation. Despite their initial disagreements, they eventually found common ground and developed a strong friendship that enabled them to tackle Shadow Monsters together, making them an entertaining duo.

6) Champions (Vol. 4) #5

In the narrative of “Outlawed,” Ironheart played a significant role. This series established a rule that forbade underage superheroes from operating independently without an adult hero as their sponsor. Any violator of this rule would be apprehended by CRADLE, led by Dum Dum Duggan. However, it was the sinister Roxxon Corporation who orchestrated this law to suppress the Champions. When her identity became public, Riri decided to step down and retire her armor. Yet, when CRADLE threatened her friends, she returned to action. The pivotal moment was in “Champions” (Vol. 4) #5, where the team, with Ironheart as their ally, successfully thwarted Roxxon’s plans and overturned the law.

7) Iron Man (Vol. 7) #4-5

To stay updated on Ironheart’s heroic exploits as she matures within the Marvel Universe, a two-part collaboration in Iron Man (Vol. 7) #4-5 demonstrates just how much of a true hero she has become. With Iron Man struggling and his armors no longer functioning effectively, he enlists the aid of Ironheart. An aged adversary, Lucia von Bardas, reappears, forcing Ironheart to protect the citizens of Chicago. In the end, it’s Ironheart who steps up to save the day, not Iron Man.

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2025-06-27 17:10