Okay, so: as it turns out, I still have more to say about Iron Man #2. 

(Previous posts here and here.)

Why? I've been watching and reading a lot of other commentary on that issue, and said discussions have only further highlighted the casual cruelty of that scene with Patsy. Yes, that's right: I said cruelty.

Let's pop open a WikiHow on recognizing the warning signs of suicidal ideation and check in on dear Tony, shall we?

Mental and Emotional Warning Signs:

"There are a number of thought patterns that are often present among those who attempt suicide. If someone tells you they are experiencing one or more of these issues, this may be a matter for concern. For example: * Suicidal individuals frequently dwell on a thought obsessively, unable to stop thinking about it."

Huh. Yes, Tony seems to be experiencing this.

"Similarly, suicidal individuals frequently experience troubled emotional states that can lead them to drastic actions. For example: *Suicidal people often experience strong feelings of guilt or shame, or the sense that they are a burden to others. *Suicidal people often experience a sense of loneliness or isolation, even when among other people, and may also exhibit signs of shame or humiliation."

This one's a little less obvious, but arguably, you can see it in the hangdog way Tony's being drawn -- and in the way he's taking hits without really fighting back.

"There are many verbal cues that might signify that someone may be experiencing these types of distress and may be planning to take their own life. For example, if someone talks a lot about dying, this may be a warning sign if it's not something that person normally would do."

Does Tony talk about dying? Yes! And he's not even subtle about it.

Behavioral Warning Signs:

"People planning suicide may take measures to settle their affairs before proceeding. This is a major warning sign since someone tying up loose ends probably has a suicide plan in place. Someone who is suicidal may do one or more of these to get ready: *Give away their prized possessions."

Or, I don't know, sell off his multi-million-dollar Malibu mansion perhaps?

"Since suicidal people feel no reason to live, they may take risks that could lead to death, like driving recklessly or while impaired."

So far, Tony has deliberately placed a foolish bet on a drag race...

... allowed himself (apparently) to be beaten up on live television...

... and - oh yes! - severely mangled his body by throwing himself at an impenetrable sphere at top speed.

Given all of the above, I'd say "reckless, self-destructive behavior" is a definite check.

 

"Avoiding friends, family, or coworkers is common among suicidal individuals, who often quietly withdraw from normal social interactions."

In issue one, Tony breaks up with Janet with basically zero fanfare...

... and arranges a gathering at his brownstone for the express purpose of breaking ties with former associates. The only person spending any time with him now is Patsy. His other, closer, longer-term friends are conspicuous in their absence.

"Note any extreme changes in routine. If someone suddenly stops going to their weekly pick up basketball games or their favorite game nights this could be a warning sign."

If abandoning your business, your California home, and your usual social milieu doesn't count as an "extreme change in routine," I don't know what does.

Risk Factors:

"Consider life history and current circumstances."

Most recently, Tony was murdered by someone he considered a friend and resurrected via technological means. That's pretty damned traumatic.

"Of particular concern is whether a person has tried to commit suicide before. Someone who has previously attempted suicide is likely to try again. In fact, one-fifth of the people who die by suicide have made a previous attempt."

Has Tony thought about or attempted suicide before? Yes. Below is one example.

Iron Man #182, a.k.a. Tony's attempted suicide via exposure.

And for the final relevant bullet point:

"Consider the individual's mental health. The presence of an underlying mental health disorder, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia, or a history of such disorders, is a major risk factor."

Tony has a documentable history of major depression (which even manifested with elements of psychosis at one point; see also the Director of SHIELD run) and substance abuse that certainly puts him at high risk for suicide now.

RG's Conclusion: Tony's flying several red flags that he is emotionally unwell and at least borderline suicidal. 

Thus: Patsy's lecturing Tony about his privilege and chiding him for stroking his ego is offensive because it completely mischaracterizes Tony's actions and motivations as a superhero (as I covered in the initial review) -- but it is also offensive because it callously dismisses the signs that Tony may need a professional psychological intervention. Tony says, essentially, "I think I need to die to be worth something." Patsy says, essentially, "Stop whining, white dude. All you're doing is showing off."

Also, the appropriate response when a character expresses a wish to die (even in a heroic blaze of glory) is NOT to dismiss him as a "white dude with a God complex." It's to put him on a 72 hour hold and get him professional counseling.

— The Right Geek (@TheRightGeek) October 27, 2020

Yeah: this gets uglier the more I think about it. Poor Tony. 

(And poor Patsy too. She's basically being assassinated for the sake of some stupid writer's hate-on for the rich.)