Marvel Tried Giving Tony Stark a Happy Ending in 2024, but I Think It Was a Living Hell Instead

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Iron Man has always led a complicated life, but his experiences in the alternate future of Avengers: Twilight complicated the circumstances of his death and afterlife, as well. After being confined to one of the most horrifying existences I can imagine, his head preserved and mined for ideas, Tony died to save the world – only to end up in alcohol-soaked Valhalla, never knowing what real peace feels like.

Avengers: Twilight – written by Chip Zdarsky, with art by Daniel Acuña – was among the most tragic timelines I can recall in Avengers lore, but Tony bore the brunt of it. At the final hour, he had the chance to save the world for his loved ones, but the reward for his service ended up being a nightmarish eternity.

Rather than let his friend go, Thor secures a spot for Iron Man in Valhalla.On paper, it sounds exquisite, but all I can see is a hellish reality where Tony spends forever battling his biggest demons.

Iron Man’s Admission Into Valhalla Was A Reward, But It Puts Him In An Endless Battle With Addiction

Avengers: Twilight #6 – Written By Chip Zdarsky; Art By Daniel Acuña; Lettering By Corey Petit

Tony Stark built his identity around his brilliant mind, which allowed him to become an avid inventor with incredible skill. By my count, his low points are just as defining as his greatest achievements, though. Despite becoming one of the world’s best-known heroes, Iron Man’s struggle with alcoholism has always been one of his biggest internal battles, and he’s fought it for most of his life. Shortly after arriving in Valhalla, he mentions being laughed at for asking for a non-alcoholic drink, immediately showcasing that his warrior’s reward actually just means spending the afterlife receiving eternal temptation.

In many ways, Tony Stark is often his own worst enemy, and I struggle to think of a character who gets in the way of their success quite as much as him. Between addiction, ego, and plain impatience, he’s set himself up for failure nearly as much as the enemies he fights. By the same token, he’s incredibly resilient, and I think his battle with and recovery from alcoholism is one of Marvel’s most admirable stories. In a timeline where he’s already suffered so much, it feels cruel to welcome him into the afterlife by taking a jab at his hard-won sobriety.

Iron Man Will Spend Eternity In Paradise Fighting His Biggest Demons, And I Don’t Think That Feels Right

Marvel Sends A Mixed Message With Tony Stark’s Twilight Fate

Valhalla exists to honor Asgardian warriors, and it’s built with them in mind; unfortunately, what passes for celebration and joy for them is wildly different from what I imagine Tony Stark viewing as a good time. As a scientist and technological pioneer, he’s constantly searching for his next idea. It’s always been a fundamental part of who he is, even though Red Skull so cruelly used it against him throughout the series. In Valhalla, he’s completely removed from that life. I see no room for engineering and innovation among fallen Asgardian warriors, and I imagine the novelty will quickly wear off.

After sacrificing himself to stop Red Skull, Tony’s life on Earth is over, meaning there’s no real way to step outside of what Valhalla offers. He’s a guest there, by personal request of Thor, and the realm won’t rearrange itself just for his benefit. It’s intended for Asgardians, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it will quickly go against any and everything Iron Man might deem as rewarding, or even interesting. I struggle to find something he’d enjoy about countless days without tinkering and experimentation –two of the biggest things that drove him forward – when there’s no end in sight.

Iron Man Entering Valhalla Is A Great Honor – But It Isn’t Right For Tony Stark

Not The Reward Tony Deserves

Although Avengers: Twilight gave Stark plenty of joy in his early life by marrying the Wasp and having his son, he spent decades as an unwilling, barely conscious pawn. It’s difficult to imagine a worse way to live. Arriving in Valhalla, especially in the company of former Avenger and fellow scientist, Bruce Banner, is likely a relief in comparison. It took great kindness from Thor to send him there, but that doesn’t change what I believe is a difficult reality: Thor gave Iron Man the highest honor an Asgardian can receive, but that doesn’t make it the right fit for him.

With all the agony Tony endured in this particular timeline, the kindest thing to give him is rest. I don’t believe he’ll find that in Valhalla, and true death may be the biggest kindness of all. In this particular afterlife, he’ll continuously face some of his biggest struggles in a place meant to honor those who’ve fought and died bravely. There is no peace or solace to be found in any long-term sense. Thor honored Iron Man by sending him to Valhalla, but in doing so, I think he trapped Tony with his lifelong demons, with no way out.

Avengers: Twilight #6 is available now from Marvel Comics.

“}]] Iron Man’s “happy” ending is actually a nightmare.  Read More