====== War Machine ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity: A decorated military officer and Tony Stark's most trusted friend, Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes is the armored Avenger known as War Machine, serving as the critical bridge between military discipline and the unpredictable world of superheroes.**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  * **The Conscience of a Futurist:** War Machine often represents the pragmatic, duty-bound counterpoint to [[iron_man|Iron Man's]] maverick genius. While fiercely loyal to Tony Stark, Rhodey's unwavering moral compass and military background force him to question unchecked technological advancement and superhero vigilantism, making him an essential voice of reason.
  * **Military-Grade Powerhouse:** The War Machine armor is a deliberately unsubtle evolution of the Iron Man concept. Where Iron Man's suits are often sleek and versatile, War Machine's are invariably heavily-plated, bristling with conventional and advanced weaponry, including its iconic shoulder-mounted gatling gun. This makes him one of the most formidable heavy-hitters on any battlefield.
  * **Key Incarnations:** The most significant difference between his comic and MCU versions lies in his origin and physical status. In the [[#earth-616-prime-comic-universe|Earth-616 comics]], Rhodey first donned the Iron Man armor during Tony's battle with alcoholism and later received the War Machine armor as a bespoke suit. In the [[#marvel-cinematic-universe-mcu|Marvel Cinematic Universe]], he acquires a Stark suit through his military connections and is later paralyzed in the line of duty, a defining event that does not have a direct comic parallel.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
James Rhodes was first introduced to the Marvel Universe in ''Iron Man'' #118 in January 1979. Created by writer David Michelinie and artist John Byrne, with Bob Layton contributing to his visual development, Rhodes was conceived as a strong, capable supporting character for Tony Stark. He was a skilled pilot and a man of integrity, providing Stark with a grounded, reliable friend outside the glitz of his billionaire lifestyle. For years, he remained a key part of the ''Iron Man'' supporting cast.
The character's evolution took a dramatic turn during the acclaimed "Demon in a Bottle" storyline, where Tony Stark's alcoholism became a central plot point. In ''Iron Man'' #170 (May 1983), a relapsed and incapacitated Stark could no longer function as Iron Man, and James Rhodes famously stepped into the armor, becoming the new Iron Man for a significant period. This era cemented his status as a hero in his own right.
The identity of **War Machine** was officially born over a decade later. The "Variable Threat Response Battle Suit, Model J-RXL-1000," nicknamed the War Machine armor, debuted in ''Iron Man'' #281 (June 1992) during the "Armor Wars II" saga, created by writer Len Kaminski and artist Kevin Hopgood. Rhodey first piloted this heavily-armed suit in ''Iron Man'' #284. The armor's immediate popularity led to Rhodey starring in his own solo ''War Machine'' comic book series, establishing him as a distinct and permanent fixture in the Marvel superhero landscape, separate from but forever connected to the legacy of Iron Man.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
The specific circumstances of how James Rhodes became the hero War Machine differ significantly between the primary comic book continuity and the blockbuster film franchise.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
In the primary Marvel Universe, Lieutenant James Rhodes was a combat pilot for the United States Marine Corps, serving tours in Southeast Asia. During one mission, his helicopter was shot down behind enemy lines. While attempting to get his craft airborne, he encountered a fugitive Tony Stark, who had just escaped from the warlord Wong-Chu in his prototype Iron Man armor, its power failing. Rhodes, initially wary, fought alongside Stark against pursuing enemy forces. Together, they navigated the jungle, stole an enemy helicopter, and flew to the nearest American base. This shared trial by fire forged a deep, lifelong bond between the two men.
After the conflict, Stark, now a public figure as Iron Man, offered Rhodes a job as his personal pilot and chief aviation engineer at Stark Industries. Rhodes accepted, becoming Tony's closest confidant. He was one of the very few people who knew Stark's secret identity.
Rhodey's first stint as an armored hero came when the villain Obadiah Stane masterfully manipulated Stark's business and personal life, causing Tony to relapse into severe alcoholism. Unable to function, Tony drunkenly revealed his secret to Rhodey and relinquished the mantle of Iron Man. Rhodey, with reluctance but a strong sense of duty, donned the armor to defeat the villain Magma. For an extended period, he served as the official Iron Man, even joining the West Coast Avengers. However, the armor's cybernetic interface, calibrated for Stark's brainwaves, began to give Rhodey severe headaches and cause erratic, aggressive behavior. He eventually stepped down when a sober Tony Stark returned to the role.
Years later, when Tony was believed to be dead, he left Rhodey in charge of Stark Enterprises and bequeathed him a new, heavily-weaponized suit: the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit. This gray and silver armor was specifically designed for all-out warfare. Rhodey adopted the callsign **War Machine** and embarked on a solo career, fighting for justice on his own terms and even leading his own superhero team, Force Works. This established his heroic identity as distinct from, yet parallel to, that of Iron Man.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
In the MCU, Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes of the U.S. Air Force is introduced in the film ''Iron Man'' (2008). He is Tony Stark's close friend and the primary liaison between Stark Industries and the Department of Defense. Unlike his comic origin, they were already longtime friends before Tony's capture in Afghanistan. Rhodey is deeply concerned by Tony's cavalier attitude but remains a loyal and grounding presence. He witnesses the birth of the Iron Man armor and, upon seeing the silver Mark II prototype in Tony's workshop, famously remarks, "Next time, baby."
This foreshadowing pays off in ''Iron Man 2'' (2010). With Tony's health failing due to palladium poisoning from his own arc reactor and his behavior becoming increasingly reckless, a frustrated and concerned Rhodey confronts him at a party. The conflict escalates into a physical fight between an intoxicated Tony in the Mark IV armor and Rhodey, who dons the Mark II armor to subdue him. Following the brawl, Rhodey, acting under military orders, confiscates the Mark II armor and delivers it to Edwards Air Force Base.
There, the armor is weaponized by Stark's rival, Justin Hammer, who outfits it with an arsenal of (mostly malfunctioning) weaponry, including a shoulder-mounted minigun. Dubbed the **War Machine** armor by the military, Rhodey pilots it under government command. He is initially an antagonist to Iron Man before they team up to defeat Ivan Vanko.
This event sets the template for Rhodey's MCU journey. He operates as a fully sanctioned government superhero, often having to navigate the conflict between his duty to his country and his loyalty to the Avengers. This conflict culminates in ''Captain America: Civil War'' (2016), where he sides with Tony in support of the Sokovia Accords. During the airport battle, he is accidentally shot down by a blast from Vision. The fall from a great height shatters his spine, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. This catastrophic injury becomes a central part of his character, as he later walks again using advanced Stark-tech leg braces, a constant physical reminder of the cost of being a hero.
===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality =====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
==== Personality ====
Rhodey's personality is forged in the crucible of military service. He is disciplined, pragmatic, and possesses an unshakeable sense of duty and honor. He is the ultimate "by-the-book" soldier, which often puts him at odds with Tony Stark's improvisational and anti-authoritarian nature. Despite their differences, he is fiercely loyal and one of the few people who can—and will—call Tony out on his failings. He is not a showman; he is a soldier who sees the armor as a tool to accomplish a mission, not a symbol of celebrity. This often gives him a more serious and grounded demeanor compared to other heroes.
==== Natural Abilities ====
  * **Expert Aviator:** As a former U.S. Marine, Rhodes is an exceptionally skilled pilot, proficient in flying everything from helicopters to advanced fighter jets and, of course, powered armor.
  * **Military Strategy & Tactics:** His military training gives him a profound understanding of battlefield tactics, strategic planning, and threat assessment.
  * **Skilled Combatant:** Rhodes is trained in military hand-to-hand combat, making him a capable fighter even without his armor.
==== Equipment: The War Machine Armor ====
The War Machine armor has gone through numerous iterations, but its core philosophy remains consistent: overwhelming firepower and enhanced durability.
^ **Armor Model / Iteration** ^ **Key Features & Armaments** ^
| **Variable Threat Response Battle Suit** | The original and most iconic War Machine armor. Features a carbon-composite matrix plating over a molecularly-aligned crystalline armor. Much bulkier and more weaponized than contemporary Iron Man suits. \ - **Shoulder-Mounted Weaponry:** Interchangeable pod system, most famously housing an M134 Minigun. \ - **Wrist Gauntlets:** Double-barreled cannons and repulsor technology. \ - **Chest Beam:** A powerful Unibeam projector. \ - **Laser Blade:** A retractable plasma blade housed in the right gauntlet. |
| **Eidolon Warwear** | A symbiotic, bio-armor of alien origin that Rhodes briefly bonded with. It could shapeshift its weaponry and was far more advanced than any human technology. |
| **Sentinel Squad O*N*E Armor** | A less advanced, human-piloted mech that Rhodes used while serving as the commander of a government unit tasked with policing the mutant population after M-Day. |
  * **Iron Man 2.0 / "Stealth" Armor** | A more streamlined suit utilizing advanced stealth technology, including chameleon modes, holographic projections, and ghost tech to become completely invisible and intangible. It was less about brute force and more about surgical strikes and infiltration. |
| **Cyborg Enhancements** | Following catastrophic injuries, parts of Rhodes' body were replaced with cybernetics by dark forces. For a time, he was a cyborg, integrating with and controlling drones and various armors, but eventually, his human body was fully restored. |
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
==== Personality ====
The MCU's Rhodey, portrayed by Don Cheadle (and initially Terrence Howard), shares the comic version's sense of duty and loyalty. However, he is given a sharper, more sarcastic sense of humor, often engaging in witty, rapid-fire banter with Tony Stark. He is the exasperated but devoted best friend, constantly trying to keep Tony's ego in check. His defining trait is the internal struggle between his role as an Air Force Colonel, loyal to the chain of command, and his role as an Avenger, an independent agent. This struggle is the very heart of his arc in ''Captain America: Civil War''. His paralysis adds a layer of vulnerability and resilience, showing his determination to continue serving despite life-altering injury.
==== Natural Abilities ====
  * **Decorated Air Force Officer:** An accomplished pilot with a distinguished military career, Rhodes possesses strong leadership skills and strategic acumen.
  * **Expert Marksmanship:** He is highly proficient with a wide range of military firearms.
==== Equipment: The War Machine / Iron Patriot Armor ====
Rhodey's armor in the MCU is directly derived from Stark's Iron Man technology, evolving with each appearance.
^ **Armor Designation** ^ **Film Appearance(s)** ^ **Key Features & Distinctions** ^
| **War Machine Armor: Mark I** | ''Iron Man 2'' | A retrofitted and weaponized version of the Iron Man Mark II. Outfitted by Justin Hammer with a shoulder-mounted M134-style minigun, wrist-mounted machine guns, and a "bunker buster" missile nicknamed the "Ex-Wife". |
| **Iron Patriot Armor: Mark I** | ''Iron Man 3'' | The War Machine Mark I armor, given a red, white, and blue paint scheme for PR purposes. It was presented as the U.S. government's "iron soldier." |
| **War Machine Armor: Mark II** | ''Avengers: Age of Ultron'' | A sleeker, less bulky design with a more integrated look, closely resembling the Iron Man Mark XXII "Hot Rod" armor. Features updated repulsors and weaponry. |
| **War Machine Armor: Mark III** | ''Captain America: Civil War'' | An upgraded suit with more powerful weapons, including a non-lethal stun baton. This is the suit that was critically damaged by Vision's errant mind stone blast, leading to Rhodey's paralysis. |
| **War Machine Armor: Mark IV** | ''Avengers: Infinity War'' | A significantly bulkier and more modular armor, designed for heavy combat. Features a large back-mounted weapons pack that can deploy a barrage of missiles and bombs. |
| **Iron Patriot Armor: Mark II** | ''Avengers: Endgame'' | A massive, powerful suit reminiscent of the comic's "Iron Man 2.0" design but with the Iron Patriot color scheme. It is extremely large and heavily armed, designed for the final battle against Thanos's forces. Also referred to as the War Machine Armor Mark VI. |
| **War Machine Armor: Mark VII** | ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'', ''Secret Invasion'' | A slightly refined version of his previous armors, appearing more grounded and practical for government operations and public appearances. |
| **Stark-Tech Leg Braces** | ''Captain America: Civil War'' and onward | Not armor, but a crucial piece of equipment. These advanced exoskeletal braces allow Rhodey to walk and function despite his spinal injury, directly interfacing with his nervous system. |
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  * **[[tony_stark|Tony Stark / Iron Man]]**: The defining relationship of Rhodey's life. In both universes, they are best friends, brothers in arms. Rhodey is Tony's anchor to reality, his moral compass, and often, his conscience. Their friendship is tested by alcoholism (616), opposing ideologies (MCU's Civil War), and the immense pressures of their heroic lives, but their bond remains unbreakable. Rhodey is the person who knew Tony best, both the genius and the flawed man.
  * **[[carol_danvers|Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel]]**: In the comics, Rhodey and Carol have a deep, significant relationship. They are both Air Force pilots who understand the call of duty and the sky. They developed a powerful romance, and Rhodey was a key emotional support for Carol. Their relationship was a cornerstone of his character for many years. In the MCU, they are shown to be close friends and colleagues, bonded by their shared military background and connection to the Avengers.
  * **[[sam_wilson|Sam Wilson / Captain America]]**: In the MCU, Sam and Rhodey share a bond forged from their military service. They are both men who operate with a code and understand the chain of command, though they often find themselves on opposite sides of arguments (most notably in ''Civil War''). Their interactions in ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' show a mutual respect and a shared understanding of the weight of their respective mantles.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  * **Justin Hammer**: A key antagonist in both universes. In the comics, Hammer is a recurring corporate rival to Stark who has often targeted Iron Man and his allies. In the MCU, he plays a more direct role in War Machine's creation, as it is his company that weaponizes the Mark II armor, making him a direct, albeit incompetent, architect of Rhodey's armored identity.
  * **The Mandarin**: As Iron Man's archnemesis, The Mandarin has frequently clashed with anyone wearing the armor. Rhodey, both as Iron Man and War Machine, has fought the Mandarin and his forces on numerous occasions in the comics, representing a threat to everything he and Tony have built.
  * **Ultimo**: A gigantic, world-destroying robot, Ultimo was one of the primary threats Rhodey faced during his time serving as Iron Man. His battles against the mindless behemoth proved his worthiness to carry the mantle and showcased his ability to handle threats on a global scale.
==== Affiliations ====
  * **United States Military**: His foundational identity. Whether the Marines (616) or the Air Force (MCU), his military background informs every decision he makes. He is a soldier first, a hero second.
  * **[[avengers|The Avengers]]**: Rhodey has been a core member of the Avengers in both continuities. In the comics, he joined the West Coast branch as Iron Man. In the MCU, he is an official Avenger following the events of ''Age of Ultron'', providing a direct link between the team and the U.S. government.
  * **Stark Industries**: As Tony's closest friend, he has often been involved in the company's operations, even serving as CEO of Stark Enterprises for a time in the comics after Tony's supposed death.
  * **Force Works**: A short-lived but significant team from the 1990s comics. Following a schism in the Avengers, War Machine became the leader of Force Works, a more proactive superhero team based on the West Coast.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== Civil War (Comic and MCU) ====
In the original 2006 ''Civil War'' comic storyline, Rhodey was a staunch supporter of the Superhuman Registration Act. His military background made him a natural proponent of accountability and government oversight. He worked closely with Tony Stark to enforce the Act, often clashing ideologically with anti-registration heroes like Captain America. His role was primarily one of support and enforcement for Iron Man's side.
The MCU's ''Captain America: Civil War'' gave him a much more central and tragic role. As a government-sanctioned hero, he fully supported the Sokovia Accords, which put him in direct opposition to Captain America and his friend Sam Wilson. The ideological conflict became brutally personal during the Leipzig/Halle Airport battle. In pursuit of the Quinjet, he was accidentally struck by a misfired beam from Vision. His suit lost power, and he plummeted to the earth, suffering a catastrophic spinal injury. The event was a shocking turning point in the conflict, highlighting the devastating personal cost of the heroes' war and forever changing Rhodey's life.
==== Secret Invasion (Comic and MCU) ====
In the 2008 ''Secret Invasion'' comic event, War Machine was on the front lines of the fight against the shape-shifting Skrull empire. He helped defend against Skrull infiltrators and fought in the climactic battle in Central Park, proving himself to be a vital asset in repelling the global invasion.
The 2023 ''Secret Invasion'' Disney+ series in the MCU took a radically different approach that placed Rhodey at the center of the conspiracy. The series shockingly revealed that James Rhodes had been replaced by a Skrull imposter named Raava sometime after his injury in ''Civil War''. This Skrull-Rhodey rose to become a key advisor to the President of the United States, manipulating global politics from within the White House to incite a war between the U.S. and Russia, hoping to trigger World War III for the Skrulls' benefit. The real Rhodes was held in stasis, unconscious, for years, and was only freed in the final episode. This revelation re-contextualizes his appearances in films like ''Infinity War'' and ''Endgame'', raising questions about which moments featured the true Rhodey.
==== The Crossing ====
A controversial 1990s comic storyline, "The Crossing" revealed that Tony Stark had been a brainwashed pawn of the villain Kang the Conqueror for years. The Avengers traveled back in time to recruit a teenage Tony Stark to help them fight his corrupted adult self. The adult Tony sacrificed himself to defeat Kang, and the teenage Tony took his place in the present day. During this tumultuous time, with the world believing Tony Stark was dead, Rhodey retired as War Machine, profoundly disillusioned and grieving his best friend.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
  * **Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610)**: The James Rhodes of the Ultimate Universe was vastly different. He was not a superhero but a brilliant engineering student at the Baxter Building. He was instrumental in helping to reverse the monstrous transformation of his friend Reed Richards. A separate character, an unnamed "War Machine" working for S.H.I.E.L.D. who pilots a massive mech, also exists in this universe, but he is not James Rhodes.
  * **Iron Man: Armored Adventures (Animated Series)**: This series portrayed the main characters as teenagers. James "Rhodey" Rhodes is Tony's best friend and tech-savvy confidant. He is more cautious than Tony and often serves as the voice of reason. He eventually acquires and modifies an older Iron Man prototype to become War Machine, fighting alongside Iron Man to protect the world.
  * **Marvel Zombies**: In this grim reality (Earth-2149), War Machine is seen among the zombified heroes. He participates in the zombie horde's attack on Doctor Doom's castle and is later part of the cosmic-powered zombie group that consumes Galactus, becoming a galactic plague.
===== See Also =====
  * [[iron_man]]
  * [[avengers]]
  * [[captain_america_sam_wilson]]
  * [[carol_danvers]]
  * [[secret_invasion]]
  * [[civil_war]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((James Rhodes was famously recast in the MCU. He was played by Terrence Howard in ''Iron Man'' (2008). Due to contractual disputes, the role was taken over by Don Cheadle from ''Iron Man 2'' (2010) onward. The change is humorously addressed in Cheadle's first scene, where he tells Tony, "Look, it's me. I'm here. Deal with it. Let's move on."))
((The "Iron Patriot" moniker and armor color scheme were created for the comics much later. The first Iron Patriot was Norman Osborn, who used a stolen Stark suit painted in the patriotic colors to lead his Dark Avengers and present a twisted, heroic facade to the public. The MCU version inverted this, making the Iron Patriot a sanctioned, heroic identity for Rhodes first.))
((The name of the "Ex-Wife" missile in ''Iron Man 2'' was an ad-lib by the film's writers. It was meant to be a one-off joke about a weapon that was powerful but difficult to handle.))
((Rhodey's first appearance as Iron Man was in ''Iron Man'' #170 (1983).))
((The first appearance of the War Machine armor was in ''Iron Man'' #281 (1992).))