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Popular young Marvel hero Ironheart is returning in her own upcoming one-shot comic, and Marvel’s advance tease for the issue indicates that her recurring antagonist, Khem, will also return – with a “connection to a classic Iron Man villain,” as both characters take the next step in their evolution, ahead of the Disney+ Ironheart series coming this summer.
As announced by Marvel Comics, Ironheart: Bad Chemistry – written by John Jennings, with art by Jethro Morales – is the next step in the rivalry between Ironheart, known as Riri Williams outside of her suit, and the mysterious Khem, whose backstory Marvel promises to “shed light on” in the issue, while stating that this confrontation will “cement her as Riri’s fiercest adversary.”
With Bad Chemistry, Marvel once more emphasize its investment in new heroes and villains alike, as the next generation of Marvel Comics stars continues to take shape in 2025.
Ironheart: Bad Chemistry – Written By John Jennings; Art By Jethro Morales; Main Cover By Eder Messias
Ironheart is among the most notable Marvel heroes introduced in the past decade, and her appearance in the MCU’s Wakanda Forever solidified her popularity even further, introducing her to a wide commercial audience and immediately proving her potential for continued greatest across various mediums, from Marvel Comics to the screen. While the Disney+ Ironheart series provides the next chapter of her cinematic journey, Ironheart: Bad Chemistry furthers her comic book arc, as well as that of her adversary Khem, who has a pivotal role to play in the upcoming story.
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Khem has proved to be an exiting antagonist in her own right, having gone toe-to-toe with Ironheart several times now, and Bad Chemistry – notice the title’s play on words, as well as on the villain’s powers as an “alchemical transformer” – will apparently center her as much as its protagonist. According to author John Jennings:
When Marvel asked me to revisit working on Ironheart and expanding her rivalry with Khem, I was overjoyed! I got a chance to revisit their conflict and really explore Khem’s background and motivations. I had a blast working on this book with such amazing talent and I hope the fans enjoy the ride!
Most notably, Marvel’s suggestion of a connection between Khem and an existing villain in the Iron Man mythos points toward an intriguing progression of her place in the Marvel Universe.
What Is Khem’s “Connection” To An Iron Man Enemy – And Who Is It?
Ironheart: Bad Chemistry – Variant Cover By Godtail; Available April 2, 2025 From Marvel Comics
Beyond the initial hint at Khem’s ties to a familiar Iron Man foe, nothing else is known at this time. By design, Marvel wants to kick fan speculation into full gear, getting readers to wrack their brains trying to come up with the best fit for the story between now and the Ironheart: Bad Chemistry’s springtime release. It seems likely that more clues will be forthcoming as the issue approaches, but in the meantime, it is wide open to interpretation – effectively providing a great hook for the comic ahead of time.
Both [Ironheart and Khem] are merely at the beginning of a long, storied tenure in Marvel lore, and the connection between new and classic Iron Man villains is a tantalizing next step for that ongoing project.
In both Marvel Comics, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Riri Williams, as Ironheart, has the opportunity to be a new kind of Iron-hero for a new generation. The publisher – and its Marvel Studios arm – clearly recognize that potential, and have put a great deal of faith in the character. By extension, this has led Khem to be elevated to a position of prominence, suggesting that both are merely at the beginning of a long, storied tenure in Marvel lore, and the connection between new and classic Iron Man villains is a tantalizing next step for that ongoing project.
Source: Marvel, Ironheart: Bad Chemistry announcement
Iron Man
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.
“}]] Marvel teases a major Iron-foe’s return. Read More