From Avengers (2018) #51.

I hate, hate, hate the stupid retcon of Thor's parentage (just like I hated the adoption retcon for Tony). But there is one silver lining: it prompted the above scene (from Avengers 2018 #51), in which Tony follows Thor to Asgard to be a good bro. <3

Another reason to like Tony Stark, Ant Man? It appears Aaron is setting him up for a classic redemption arc. I really, really hope he manages to stick the landing!

Quick Note: This is my last post for 2021. Updates will resume after the holidays. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

One reason to really like Tony Stark, Ant Man? He's an alcoholic with a killer case of the usual Stark-brand self-loathing. The fact that he could temporarily wield Mjolnir "freaks" him out because he doesn't believe he's worthy of the honor in the first place. Ah, yes: that's the good stuff! And it's more quintessentially Tony than, say, a Cosmic Iron Man who declares himself one of the world's preeminent minds. (Ahem. Not that I have a grudge against another Iron Man writer who shall be left unnamed or anything...)

I'm not a big fan of Jason Aaron's Avengers run. But this opening to the new event, Avengers Forever, actually did manage to win me over. I sincerely want to learn more about this version of Tony Stark. And I really hope he turns out to be precisely the hero this first issue suggests he is. (Click the above to embiggen!)

Sadly, in the modern era, this is quite true. (From Avengers 2018 #47)

Tony motivates himself with reminders of Howard's disappointment. (Avengers 2018 #45)

From Avengers 2018 #43.

Tony rejects a chance to rid himself of his frailty. Very nice! (Avengers 2018 #31)

Tony doesn't believe in God -- but he does believe in the devil. In Tony's world, absolute evil is real -- but there's no hope - no absolute good - to challenge it. Ouch! Imagine what that must do to his inner peace... (From Avengers 2018 #31)

More from the best scene in Avengers 2018 #31.

 

Occasionally, the modern writers capture Tony perfectly. (Avengers 2018 #31)

Tony Stark and his well-known daddy issues, ladies and gentlemen! (From Avengers 2018 #15)

Ok, I'm sorry, but I have to go back and buy Avengers 35 just for Tony panicking over a baby.

Forgive my weakness, bros.

— The Right Geek (@TheRightGeek) August 20, 2020

A thread in which I squee over some Tony scenes in Avengers (2018) #32 & #35. Tony gets emotional over his recent time traveling travails -- and panicks adorably while babysitting, swearing up and down that he is not father material while vividly demonstrating that he is.