REVIEW: 'The Insurgent Iron Man #7' Has Questionable Motives
- Sarah Angelo-Haight
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for ‘Insurgent Iron Man #7’.
The Merchant of Death, Tony Stark, has made a shocking return to his roots: Stark Unlimited is back in the weapons business. As part of the ongoing One World Under Doom event, Stark has chosen a path that is as controversial as it is bold. Instead of assembling the Avengers, Tony has decided to fight from within the system. He’s using his vast wealth, resources, and corporation to directly influence the global impact of Doctor Doom’s uprising. Stark’s reasoning for this decision is typically rooted in his sense of responsibility, as he believes that someone with his power should step up and play a role in shaping the future. His actions, however, raise a number of questions and doubts.
Tony is faced with significant opposition, not only from Melinda May but also from Doom’s emissary, Lady Victorious. Their protests are valid, given the morally questionable nature of Tony’s decision to return to weapons manufacturing and, even more controversially, to provide those weapons not to Latvarian freedom fighters, but directly to Doom. To the outside world, it may appear that Stark is aligning himself with a dictator. This is a concerning development, especially considering Stark’s own position as a billionaire oligarch, both as the head of Stark Unlimited and as the director of SHIELD. Given his influential role in global politics and his vast personal wealth, it’s not entirely unreasonable to suspect that Stark could be shifting allegiances to maintain his power, even if it means compromising his principles.
Stark’s attempts to keep his true motives hidden only exacerbate the situation. Instead of gaining the trust of his allies, he comes across as sneaky, secretive, and self-serving—someone who might be waiting for the perfect moment to further his own interests. His natural paranoia only works against him, making it harder for him to explain his actions and justifications, especially to Lady Victorious, who sees through his facade.
It’s difficult to take Tony Stark at his word in this situation. Although he’s supposed to be the hero of his own story, his questionable decisions and morally ambiguous actions make it appear as if he’s playing both sides. Some, however, are not entirely opposed to Stark’s return to the weapons business, especially those who see him as a disruptor of the status quo. Writers Spencer Ackerman and Julius Ohta cleverly highlight Stark’s complicated relationship with the public by having him announce his company’s shift in direction at the New York Stock Exchange. In-universe, Stark’s new “anti-woke” agenda garners praise from certain factions, showcasing how his actions are both celebrated and critiqued.
The tension between Tony Stark’s dual identity as Iron Man and as a billionaire industrialist has never been more apparent. As both the director of SHIELD and Iron Man, Tony is more than capable of dealing with Doom’s global dominance, but his approach seems to be driven by a political, capitalistic agenda rather than by pure heroism. Stark’s involvement in world politics feels far more self-serving than heroic, and his decision to use his corporation to influence the world’s power dynamics complicates his standing as a hero. In the end, Stark’s actions raise the question of whether he can truly be trusted to fight for the greater good, or if he’s merely using the chaos of the moment to further entrench his own power.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
About Insurgent Iron Man #7
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Written by: Spencer Ackerman
Art by: Julius Ohta
Cover by: Alessandro Cappuccio & Frank Martin
Page Count: 23
Synopsis: THE IRON SELLOUT! After witnessing firsthand the devastation of war, Tony Stark famously divested his company from the weapons trade. Then Orchis and Feilong came along, and a furious Iron Man watched them dismantle his legacy. Now Stark Unlimited is going back to its roots as Tony publicly announces a FULL-SCALE RETURN TO WEAPONS MANUFACTURING! What?! Why is Iron Man meeting with rebels outside Latveria? Why is the Winter Guard after him (this time)? Why is Doctor Doom sending angry emissaries to Stark's door? WHAT IN ALL HELL IS TONY STARK DOING?!
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