20 Years Later, Iron Man Hears The 5 Devastating Words Fans Have Waited 2 Decades For

Published Oct 17, 2026, 7:08 PM EDT

Jared is a writer, editor, and Communications Studies graduate who loves popular nerd culture (almost anything to do with Marvel, DC, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings) and the interactive storytelling medium. Jared's first console was the PS1, wherein he fell for Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot.

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Outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the stories that Iron Man may be most well-known for in recent memory are Civil War and Civil War II, two of the most heavily criticized Marvel Comics crossover events in the last 19 years. And, in terms of Iron Man’s development between both, it’s widely agreed upon that they badly assassinated Tony Stark’s character, whether or not some readers felt as if this at least layered interesting textures into the fabric of his lore.

Regardless, these civil wars are inseparable chapters of Iron Man’s past, and they should cling to him, as well as color other characters’ perceptions of him, forever. That’s why, when Iron Man confronts one of Marvel Comics’ most polarizing antiheroes about their role in society now that they’re suddenly back, it isn’t surprising in the slightest that they throw Tony’s skepticism and lack of trust back in his face.

Eddie Brock Just Clocked Iron Man’s Tea, No Symbiote Needed

Charles Soule and Tommaso Bianchi’s Venom (2026) #1 starts out with some growing pains as Eddie Brock and the symbiote re-establish themselves in their classic glory as a hulking goo monster with a large white wraparound spider symbol and no more abhorrent human-like teeth (thank God). But while readers may be pleased that they’ve finally reunited as Venom and the era of MJ as the All-New Venom is finished, it’s the rest of Marvel Comics’ Earth-616 universe and the superheroes who reside in it that they have to convince it’s a good idea.

After Eddie meets with New York City mayor Luke Cage and is confronted by Iron Man, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Invisible Woman, and Wolverine, following a fight against Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects’ Hazmat. Eddie argues that he never threw the first punch, to which Iron Man replies, “No. But you weren’t exactly a pacifist either.” To this, Eddie scoffs:

Whatever man. Go start another civil war.

The symbiote later commends Eddie on this line, despite it being low-hanging fruit. To be fair, Eddie doesn’t do much to make a compelling argument as to why he should be trusted in Venom #1, and deliberately antagonizing every hero he comes across in this issue doesn’t help his case at all, especially when he challenges Luke and says “%#&@ you people” to the do-gooders.

Venom Can’t Decide If They’re Good Or Bad, And Marvel Superheroes Are Sick Of It

Ironically, either Eddie may be quite prophetic, or Marvel Comics took this relaunch’s debut issue as an opportunity to further tease what’s in store for the wider Earth-616 universe, as Civil War 3 might indeed be right around the corner. Preview pages for Avengers: Armageddon #5, which is scheduled to be released on October 21, tease that another civil war might be brewing.

As for Venom, it’s unknown whether Eddie’s words have cut Iron Man to his core or not. But if Venom can’t prove that they’re genuinely back together for the right reasons and ready to transcend being an antihero in order to legitimately be a full-fledged superhero, then Marvel’s actual superheroes will be right to have come at him with so much paranoia. The solicitation for Venom #2 reads as follows:

SHE’S WITH THEM?! Eddie Brock is back bonded with his original symbiote, and THEY ARE VENOM, now and forever! But wait, what’s this — could it be that the pair have found themselves a new lady love? Who is this mystery woman... and is she snared in their web, or are they snared in hers?

Venom #1 is out now.

Anthony "Tony" Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is a Marvel Comics superhero who has enjoyed several years of the spotlight and has become a mainstay in several Marvel media franchises. After suffering a critical injury, Tony creates a specialized armored suit powered by an arc reactor, which keeps him alive. Egotistical but good-hearted, Tony utilizes his super intellect and inventions to fight to protect humanity from various threats, eventually becoming a founding member of the Avengers. In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was kicked off with the film Iron Man, which starred Robert Downey Jr. as the superhero.