With Captain America: Civil War set to hit theaters on May 6, we take a look at Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, The Avengers, that have decided to align themselves with either Captain America or Iron Man. Now that we’ve seen Team Cap, let’s take a look at those siding with Team Iron Man, the members of whom appeared Wednesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Those who have aligned themselves with Team Iron Man are in favor of the Sokovia Accords and government regulation. According to Tony Stark himself, not agreeing to the Accords or any other form regulation makes them no better than the villains they fight. More than anything, Civil War could also show an interesting side of Stark we haven’t seen, one that feels guilt over the destruction he wrought by creating Ultron and the consequences of rash, impulsive actions that have been seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe up to this point.
Tony Stark, “Iron Man”:
A self-defined “genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist,” Stark is the quintessential genius of all things technological when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this has especially been so since he joined the Avengers. If Captain America could be defined as the heart of the Avengers, then Stark is the brains of the operation, designing everyone’s suits and equipment to their maximum efficiency and always improving them. (That may include Spider-Man, as we’ll explain more below.)
Of course, providing the technological brains doesn’t mean Stark can’t bring out the best of his own technology himself, as seen by his Iron Man suit. Each and every movie, there is always something upgraded with his suits, whether it’s a new weapon, design, or customized feature. Stark and his Iron Man suit are one. In Civil War, Stark looks to continue that trend. Of course, beating Cap in combat won’t be easy, but considering he’s held his own against Thor, Stark can take plenty of hits. Whether it’s the flight, enhanced strength, or multitude of weapons, Stark will have plenty of surprises in store for Team Cap, and likely plenty of close calls that he’ll bail himself out of.
https://twitter.com/Genius_Knight/status/708003457966481409
James Rhodes, “War Machine”:
Effectively the “Falcon equivalent” of Team Iron Man, Rhodes’ mastery of the War Machine suit has made him an effective member of the Avengers, particularly considering he can use the suit as well as Iron Man can. While he’s been playing more a supporting role thus far, Age of Ultron saw Rhodes introduced into the Avengers roster.
As a best friend of Stark who has had trouble reigning Stark in before, particularly when it came to the government regulation of his Iron Man suits, the lieutenant colonel has proven himself a capable soldier and right-hand man to Iron Man. He is the only one that can effectively pilot Stark’s suits just as well as he can, and is basically a de facto second Iron Man. An experinced Air Force soldier experienced in both flight, unarmed combat, and military weaponry, Rhodes’s operation of the War Machine armor gives Team Iron Man another huge boost in overall strength and firepower. Based on what we’ve seen from the trailers, Rhodes can be expected to take on more of a physical and intense role this time around.
Natasha Romanov, “Black Widow:”
The one Avenger some may have been surprised to see side with Stark, given their initial friction and her deeper bond with Cap. As for her reasons? Maybe her actions and past as the Black Widow have made her see this as a means of redemption and getting the alleged “blood off her ledger.” Continually haunted by her past life in Russia, her allegiances are certainly going to be torn, especially as two of her closest friends in Cap and Hawkeye team up against the Accords. Romanov’s conflict is certainly going to be an interesting plot thread to follow, especially given that she, as a highly trained spy without any kind of enhanced abilities, is the obvious outlier among the towering figures of her fellow team members.
But what Romanov lacks in superpowers, she makes up for in skill. She bested Hawkeye in combat when he was controlled by Loki in the first Avengers film, outsmarted Bucky Barnes and caught him off-guard several times in Winter Soldier, and has proven herself worthy of the title Avenger. Against a Team Cap roster that features former spies and assassins, Black Widow’s vast expertise in espionage, an area which Stark’s team lacks and Cap’s team excels in, is a quality many should not be quick to underestimate. Like Cap, she is also able to quickly process information and is an excellent tactician and strategist, which also fills a much needed role that Stark may not necessarily fill.
[Gif] Spot Captain America Civil War #BlackWidow pic.twitter.com/ELFxU8UpRm
— stripped (@cevansculture) February 8, 2016
T’Challa, “Black Panther:”
One of the most anticipated introductions in Civil War, the leader of the African Nation of Wakanda makes his official Marvel debut, despite not having his first solo film until 2018. T’Challa’s role in the film is still unclear, as is his reasoning for siding with Stark. But what he does bring is a set of eyes not firmly rooted in the Avengers or its internal struggles and could bring about a different point of view than either Stark or Cap. He also brings forth an interesting unknown agenda into the mix, one that may not align him completely with Stark, but not completely with Cap either. He is the quintessential unknown, in regards to his motives and whatever his goals are.
Regardless, T’Challa’s skill in combat is invaluable on a team like Stark’s that falls short of that. He is strong enough to clash with both Cap and Bucky Barnes in the film, and possesses enhanced strength, speed, and senses thanks to his inheritance as the Chieftain of Wakanda. His suit is unique in that it is bullet proof, and likely made in part from vibranium, the same metal used in Cap’s shield. In hand-to-hand combat, he’s arguably the best on Team Iron Man and is much needed to match the combat prowess of Team Cap.
“Spider-Man, Ant-Man & Black Panther kill it.” @eeisenberg https://t.co/jNQ2tLNwfX #CaptainAmericaCivilWar #TChalla pic.twitter.com/PKBeRK5tiS
— We Are Wakanda (@WeAreWakanda) April 9, 2016
Vision:
Easily the turning point for the Avengers’ victory over Ultron, Vision is now a regular part of Avengers’ and human life now. It’s clear to see why he’s siding with Stark in this one and his logical option for regulating powerful superheroes. Vision is someone who, while certainly all-knowing, could be naive at the same time, particularly as it relates to human emotions and behaviors. In a sense, he is still learning about what he is and his place in the world. As an Avenger for Team Iron Man, Vision will certainly be one to keep an eye on in the midst of the fallout between Stark and Cap.
Powered by the Mind Stone, one of the six Infinity Stones, Vision possesses a vast amount of mental and psionic abilities, which could allow him access to people’s thoughts and dreams. Couple that with the intellect provided by Stark’s previous A.I. known as J.A.R.V.I.S., and Vision is certainly the most dangerous of Iron Man’s roster. His powers are very similar to Scarlet Witch in this regard, and he is certainly the only means they have of countering chaotic abilities. The little we’ve seen of Vision thus far shows him struggling against Scarlet Witch in one of what could be several confrontations between the two. Even though Hulk and Thor weren’t present for this movie, they were not truly needed for it, especially with the mystic abilities of Vision and Scarlet Witch on full display.
https://twitter.com/ILove_Cinema/status/718135829328224256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Peter Parker, “Spider-Man:”
The prodigal son’s makes his official entrance into the MCU in what could be perhaps Marvel’s best movie to date. Parker’s allegiance, which we’ve seen lies with Iron Man, offers a number of questions. What is his relationship with Stark? What could he have said to Parker to get him to his side? And did Stark potentially give him a new suit? In his trailer debut, Parker’s eyes narrowed once he made his long-awaited introduction, so the possibility is likely that his suit is enhanced to match his already potent abilities.
Regardless, many are all too aware of the young web-slinger’s abilities, from shooting webs, superb reflexes, and his “Spider-Sense,” many will be happy enough just seeing Spider-Man alongside his fellow heroes in the MCU verse. Another wise-cracking voice to play off of Stark is going to fun to watch. Outside of the trailer reveal, Marvel has kept Parker’s role in the movie under wraps, and how much of a part he plays, especially with his solo movie debuting next summer, remains to be seen. For now, fans can rejoice at the day Spider-Man made the internet explode with joy.
https://twitter.com/ChiefOrator/status/708140482279444481
Conclusion:
On paper, Team Iron Man certainly has the brunt of technological power on their side thanks to Stark, not to mention the aid of the Wakandan Chief and New York’s favorite web-slinger backing him. With Stark and Rhodes, they have plenty of firepower and the advantage in the air, and having the Vision on their team is a huge trump card. Not to mention, they have more plenty of intellect between Stark, Vision, and T’Challa, who is a respected genius both in Wakanda and on a global scale.
If Stark’s team has any concerns, it’s their ability to work together and coordinate their attack with one another. Team Cap runs like a well-oiled machine and their teamwork and chemistry with one another in the field looks very well done. Despite his ability in combat or the lab, Iron Man hasn’t been the on-field leader coordinating attacks and strategies the way Cap has, nor do they have the combined military training and expertise of Team Cap’s members. In many ways, Team Iron Man is the antithesis of Team Cap, with more of its members acting as “head thinkers” compared to the “heart thinkers” of Team Cap. But despite that, Team Iron Man has the intellect to pull it out over Team Cap, and if there’s someone who can think up the solution to a problem, it’s Tony Stark.
