played many roles in his five decades as a superhero. From his 1963 comics debut in Tales of Suspense to the recent film adaptations--The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013)--hundreds of creators have had a hand in writing the character with evolving depictions and distinct artistic styles. This collection of essays provides an historical overview of an important figure in American popular culture and a close reading of Iron Man's most iconic story lines, including his origin in Vietnam, "Demon in a Bottle, " "Civil War," and "Extremis."

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