Iron Man/Tony Stark characterization: comics, or movies?

[Monty_Cristo]

Why is Tony Stark not engaged/married to PEPPER POTTS like in the films?

because the Pepper in the books isn't all that likable?

[Monty_Cristo]

While I applaud Downey Jr's take on Tony Stark, it's just that, his take on the character. It's a very funny character, likeable even, and there is no doubt that there's a lot of Tony Stark in him, however, it's also a mildly bi-dimensional character, with few nuances. It comes out more as a facade then as a full character. Tony Stark is a highly complex and multi-layered character. I don't think Downey's take captures that at all. IMHO, the Micheline / Layton version should still serve as the template for all to follow.

Peace

i agree with this guy. but i think comic book tony is currently just as glib as he's ever been. he's always doing that goofy sawyer-smirk thing. he got drunk with an elf. he's really not taking his current dilemma very seriously. i mean Mandarin has him by the balls. there's a spy in his ranks. and i don't know that Downey's less serious Stark works in a long-term format. bad stuff has to happen to tony in the books because the story is ongoing. Downey is doing one-and-dones. it's the difference between going on a few dates with someone and living with them. you see more of a person's moods when you live with them.

[matthewaos]

I can't vote. I like the movie characterization, while I also love some comic characterization, but it really depends on who is writing.

[TonyStark1012]

Tony always was joked around, been a playboy and talked trash when he fought. It's just since RDJ took it up a notch so incredibly have they also took it up more in the comics.

[Monty_Cristo]

Tony always was joked around, been a playboy and talked trash when he fought. It's just since RDJ took it up a notch so incredibly have they also took it up more in the comics.

i love watching Robert Downey jr do Tony. but i have to say that he's not as smooth as i've imagined comic book Tony Stark to be. movie Stark is quirky. and he's attached to the hip with Pepper. Michelinie Stark basically never slowed down. he wasn't a quirky genius; behavior-wise. he dated frequently; seemed to juggle relationships most of the time. movie Tony seems to have grown out of it.

[TonyStark1012]

i love watching Robert Downey jr do Tony. but i have to say that he's not as smooth as i've imagined comic book Tony Stark to be. movie Stark is quirky. and he's attached to the hip with Pepper. Michelinie Stark basically never slowed down. he wasn't a quirky genius; behavior-wise. he dated frequently; seemed to juggle relationships most of the time. movie Tony seems to have grown out of it.

Sure there are little differences. Tony was always a playboy, but now in the movie he is with Pepper. I think thought that RDJ gets the core of Tony. The brillaint genius, who has father issues. alcohol issues, can be reckless, but always has a plan. Also with wanting to do things on his own without help. RDJ has added nuances, but overall it's Tony Stark IMO.

[Monty_Cristo]

Sure there are little differences. Tony was always a playboy, but now in the movie he is with Pepper. I think thought that RDJ gets the core of Tony. The brillaint genius, who has father issues. alcohol issues, can be reckless, but always has a plan. Also with wanting to do things on his own without help. RDJ has added nuances, but overall it's Tony Stark IMO.

yes. undoubtedly. i was basically just looking for the differences because Stark interests me as a character study. 80s stark played close to the vest; rarely vocalized what he was really thinking (unless he was drunk). movie Tony seems to almost nervously rattle on. i guess what i'm saying is that movie-Tony is like a perpetually inebriated comic book Tony. but i guess you can also say that he was with Bethany Cabe in the same way that movie-tony is with Pepper. Bethany was good for him. but she has moved on. i can't really read his current relationship with comic book Pepper. i don't think Fraction does intimacy well. and, despite all of the horrible things she's done, i think Maya was probably his best match; intellectually. poor poor Rumiko.

[Cap10kirk]

I never was a big fan of the Avengers or Iron Man, but I read their titles often enough. I love RDJ's Tony Stark. He's hilarious. But not for the comics. RDJ's characterization doesn't work for me in the comics. That's what we have Spiderman for. On a related note, the part where Stark zaps Banner then looks into his eyes was priceless.

[Vic Vega]

I've always thought that RDJ's Tony was an amalgam of Millar Ultimate Tony and the 90's Heroes Reborn Tony and a part of RDJ himself.

They dialed up the preening egotism and the wisecracking but dailed down the sense of responsibility of the comic version Stark.

It is pretty clear that Movie Stark Industries doesn't actully run his company and hasn't for awhile. In IM1 Stane ran Stark Industries and it looks like Peppers been running the show since then.

Comic Stark doesn't roll like that. He made sure that he ran the show as long as he was physically able to (even when he deligated the job to Rhodey in the comics he gave himself an out).

But, Movie Stark is a free spirit who isn't trying to lead anybody or be led.

Something like the Superhuman Registration Act RDJ would just laugh off.

I will say that Fraction and Bendis are trying to make comic Stark more RDJ like.

[KurtW95]

I definitely prefer to see him as a former drinker, now sober. I really hope Fraction doesn't throw that away just to match him with the movies.

[Vagabond]

Monty pretty much said what I was gunna say so... that saves me some typing. So, uh... what he said!

[XPac]

I've always thought that RDJ's Tony was an amalgam of Millar Ultimate Tony and the 90's Heroes Reborn Tony and a part of RDJ himself.

They dialed up the preening egotism and the wisecracking but dailed down the sense of responsibility of the comic version Stark.

It is pretty clear that Movie Stark Industries doesn't actully run his company and hasn't for awhile. In IM1 Stane ran Stark Industries and it looks like Peppers been running the show since then.

Comic Stark doesn't roll like that. He made sure that he ran the show as long as he was physically able to (even when he deligated the job to Rhodey in the comics he gave himself an out).

But, Movie Stark is a free spirit who isn't trying to lead anybody or be led.

Something like the Superhuman Registration Act RDJ would just laugh off.

I will say that Fraction and Bendis are trying to make comic Stark more RDJ like.

That's another subtle difference I suppose.

The movie Stark was less a business man and more an inventor working in the lab all day long while the day to day stuff was handled by suits. And thats in addition to any other extra stuff they throw in there, like being Secretary or State or Director of SHIELD.

In comics they can give someone 50 different day jobs, or have them on multiple teams. But in movies, I think they want to make it feel a bit more real. Plus, toning down the suity aspects of the characters I think makes it easier to amp up the fun quirky side that RDJ embraced.

In some ways, he was closer to Slotts Mighty Avengers version of Pym than the comic book version of Iron Man. He had more of a zany quirky energy about him.

[DeadXMan]

Movie Tony Is early 616 Tony. Seriouly pick up some Pre Demon in a Bottle Iron Man comics

[nosocialize100]

Movie Tony Is early 616 Tony. Seriouly pick up some Pre Demon in a Bottle Iron Man comics

I was thinking the same thing.

[OkieDokiLoki]

I like Movie and Comic Tony but I like the Movie version a little better, I guess. XD
RDJ does a good job and you can tell he's having a lot of fun with the role. =)