Marvel Officially Crowns The New Tony Stark With Armored Hero 'Cavalry'

Published Sep 28, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.

Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.

Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.

Marvel is officially replacing Iron Man, as Tony Stark's place is taken by Marvel's Melinda May, who will become new armored hero 'Cavalry.' Here's what you need to know about the swap.

Since 1963, Tony Stark has been Marvel's Armored Avenger, however historically other people have taken his place. James Rhodes took the title in the 1980s, with Doctor Doom becoming the Infamous Iron Man following Tony's death in 2017.

Now, as Tony Stark is arrested and thrown out of his own comic, a group of armored heroes are literally taking his place.

Melinda May Is Iron Man's New Armored Hero 'Cavalry'

In new solicit information shared by Marvel, it's been revealed that Tony Stark is being replaced in his own comic. Iron Man #13 will retitle the series as 'WAR MACHINES,' focusing on a trio of armored heroes. The heroes in question will be War Machine, Iron Patriot and Cavalry, with former SHIELD agent Melinda May taking on the latter superhero identity.

Introduced as part of the MCU spin-off show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (played by Ming-Na Wen), May was added to comic canon in 2014. The show is where May first got her 'Cavalry' nickname, the result of a solo rescue mission that forced her to kill an innocent, leading to her disliking the nickname.

Iron Man #13
Release Date:	December 16, 2026
Writer:	Joshua Williamson
Artists:	Gleb Melnikov
Cover Artist:	Ryan Stegman, J. P. Mayer and Frank Martin
WAR MACHINES, PART 1 OF 4! While Tony's away, the WAR MACHINES play! James “ Rhodey ” Rhodes leads a new team of armored heroes with one goal: taking down A.I.M.! MELINDA MAY embraces her future as CAVALRY, while a familiar face takes on a new mantle as IRON PATRIOT! This trio of armor warriors are hellbent on eradicating the thorn in Tony's side, no matter the cost! Each month is blasting us toward IRON MAN #700 in 2027!

Now, 'Cavalry' goes from nickname to codename, as May becomes Marvel's latest armored hero. But if Melinda May is taking Iron Man's place, where is Tony Stark?

Tony Becomes The 'Incarcerated Iron Man'

With the War Machines taking over every other issue of Marvel's Iron Man series, Tony will become the 'Incarcerated Iron Man,' with issues switching between the new team and Tony's imprisonment in the Vault. The arc will see Tony at the mercy of the villainous Moonstone, who will act as warden of the super-prison.

Recent issues have seen a cabal of heroes questioning Tony's actions, with hints that it may be the Fantastic Four (in alliance with Captain America) who have Tony arrested. The exact details aren't yet known, but seem tied to the mysterious Citizen V, who was recently revealed to be Tony's old friend Happy Hogan, back from the dead...

Cavalry Isn't Iron Man's Only New Armored Hero

Happy Hogan seemingly died in 2006 as part of the Civil War event, having been left in a coma by Spymaster. Tony appeared to use his technology to switch off Happy's life support, honoring his old friend's wishes. However, recent issues saw Happy return, alleging that Tony abandoned him.

With Iron Man #13's reveal that 'a familiar face takes on a new mantle as IRON PATRIOT,' it seems that Happy Hogan may also be one of the heroes taking Tony Stark's place. In recent issues, it appeared that Happy was working as an agent of the heroic cabal to keep an eye on Tony.

Iron Man's life is about to be destroyed, as Tony Stark is locked up for unknown crimes. As he serves his time, Iron Man will be replaced by three armored heroes as the 'War Machines' fly high, with Melinda May's Cavalry and the new Iron Patriot taking on a heavy heroic mantle.

IRON MAN #13 is coming December 16 from Marvel Comics.

Iron Man