Charlie stared at the screen in wide-eyed disbelief.
The shock hit him like a bolt of lightning. This wave of shipments wasn't just good—it was jaw-dropping. Iron Man? He couldn't have imagined something like this in his wildest dreams. His excitement was palpable, but he was so overwhelmed that he found himself momentarily speechless, unable to express the sheer elation bubbling up inside him.
Iron Man—Tony Stark himself.
It was a name that needed no introduction. Since 2008, when Tony Stark had first graced the big screen in that iconic red-and-gold armor, Iron Man had transformed from a comic book hero into a global phenomenon. He had become a symbol, a legend, a character so ingrained in popular culture that his name was spoken alongside Superman and Batman. Charlie had always admired him—not just for his combat skills, but for everything he represented.
Tony Stark was more than just a superhero. His character was multi-faceted, full of depth and humanity. He wasn't born a hero; he had earned it. He started as an arrogant, self-absorbed billionaire who saw the world as a playground for his wealth. But through the trials of life, through pain and sacrifice, he became a protector of Earth—a man driven by responsibility and an overwhelming need to make up for his past mistakes. "I love you 3000" wasn't just a line; it was a testament to the love and devotion he carried for the people he cherished.
But that wasn't what had originally drawn people to him.
No, what grabbed people's attention from the start was the sheer spectacle of it all. Whenever Tony Stark appeared on screen, it felt like you could smell the burning cash that went into creating those scenes. Every frame was filled with dazzling special effects—shining metal, glowing arc reactors, powerful repulsors, and sleek armor designs. Each iteration of the Iron Man suit felt like a technological marvel, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible, both in fiction and reality.
And those suits. God, those suits.
The Iron Man armor had become a cultural icon overnight. Whether it was the sleek Mark III or the Hulkbuster, Tony Stark's arsenal was a visual feast that no one could get enough of. The armor wasn't just a suit of high-tech gear; it was a symbol of ingenuity, a representation of what could be achieved through human brilliance and creativity. Iron Man had become the designated "budget warrior" of the MCU, a hero whose every scene was a testament to the massive resources it took to bring him to life.
But all that expense was worth it. Every single penny.
The combat power of Iron Man's suit was top-tier. Tony Stark, with his sharp intellect, had designed some of the most formidable technology in the universe. He was an unstoppable force on the battlefield, even when faced with alien invaders, gods, or otherworldly threats. And now, all that power was in Charlie's hands.
Charlie leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The MCU had shown time and time again that leading scientists in comics weren't just brilliant minds—they were walking disasters waiting to happen. Their motto? "The greatest offense is the deadliest defense." Tony Stark fit right into that mold. When the world was on the line, Stark could unleash hell. But left alone in his lab, tinkering away? He could also create world-ending problems in his spare time.
And that was what made him so fascinating.
Tony Stark was the embodiment of contradictions. On the one hand, he was a genius who could solve almost any problem thrown his way. On the other, he was a man whose creations had a habit of spiraling out of control, leading to more problems than solutions. His Iron Man armor was a reflection of that—the pinnacle of Earth-based technology, yet constantly evolving, constantly being pushed to its limits.
Even though Stark's suits were built using Earth's technology, they had evolved far beyond anything the planet could produce. By the later stages of the MCU, Stark's armor was capable of taking on alien fleets and cutting through enemies like they were nothing more than weeds. He had surpassed the ceiling of Earth's technology by leaps and bounds, to the point where his advancements were generations ahead of what the planet's greatest minds could comprehend.
[TL Note - Ehhh... let's see what Reed Richards has to say about it]
For Charlie, this wasn't just an upgrade. It was a game-changer.
The addition of Iron Man to his roster wasn't just a simple boost to his frontline combat power—it was a massive leap forward. Iron Man's versatility, his adaptability, and his sheer strength made him a force to be reckoned with. Unlike the Batwing, which had incredible firepower but was limited in terms of flexibility, Iron Man's suits were multi-functional. He could be a stealthy assassin, a heavy hitter, or even a battlefield medic. Whatever the situation, Tony Stark had a suit for it.
Charlie's mind raced as he thought of the endless possibilities. In terms of sheer performance, he estimated that Iron Man was now standing toe-to-toe with his version of Batman. Both were at the peak of the B-level hero pool, essentially representing the ceiling of combat power in that category.
But there was a catch.
Power always came at a price, and in Iron Man's case, that price was energy consumption.
Charlie frowned as he considered the two major concerns regarding energy consumption. The first was the energy required by the suit itself. The Iron Man armor, as powerful as it was, needed a massive energy source to function at peak capacity. In the movies, Stark had solved this problem by creating the arc reactor—a piece of technology so advanced it bordered on science fiction. He had built the first one in a cave with nothing more than scrap metal and ingenuity, a testament to his brilliance. But even the arc reactor wasn't a perfect solution.
No matter how advanced the reactor was, Stark's suits occasionally faced energy shortages during extended battles. Whether it was in the movies or comics, there were moments where the suit would run dangerously low on power, forcing Stark to make split-second decisions on how to allocate his remaining energy. Charlie would have to keep that in mind during prolonged combat encounters.
The second issue was the energy consumption on Charlie's side.
The game itself was already demanding, constantly pushing Charlie to his limits. Every time he thought he had gained enough strength to handle the next level, the game threw him a curveball—his heroes would power up in response, making it clear that the journey was far from over. There was always a new challenge waiting around the corner, and Charlie knew he couldn't afford to become complacent.
That said, Iron Man had one unique advantage: the variety of his suits.
Unlike other heroes who had static powers or abilities, Tony Stark had dozens of suits, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. And while some of these suits consumed massive amounts of energy, others were far more manageable.
For example, the early Mark I or the suitcase model Mark V were far less taxing. Charlie knew that with his current energy levels, he could operate these suits indefinitely without feeling the strain. In the early days of Stark's career, the Iron Man suits hadn't yet reached their god-tier levels. Back then, they were still rooted in relatively modern technology, which made them more accessible for Charlie.
In the MCU, Stark's progression over the years had been one of the most dramatic in terms of both character development and power scaling. His armor evolved with each movie, becoming more advanced, more capable. Whether it was the sleek, streamlined designs of the early suits or the incredible technology in the later models, Tony Stark's growth was a qualitative leap forward.
Charlie couldn't wait any longer. His hands trembled with anticipation as he logged into the game and selected Iron Man as his hero. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the chance to see what Tony Stark could really do.
But the moment the game loaded, Charlie realized something was different.
Unlike most heroes, who started in random environments, Tony Stark appeared in a very specific place: his laboratory.
Charlie's in-game perspective opened to reveal Stark standing confidently in his lab. He wasn't wearing the suit yet, but instead his signature black undershirt, with the glowing arc reactor on his chest casting a soft blue light across the room. Holographic displays flickered to life around him, showing diagnostic data, suit schematics, and weapon systems.
Just like Batman's Batcave in the game, Stark's lab served as a central hub, a place where Charlie could access a wealth of resources and equipment. The lab housed dozens of Iron Man suits, all designed for different purposes—stealth missions, deep-sea exploration, space travel, heavy combat, and more. Whatever the mission, whatever the scenario, Stark had a suit for it.
As soon as Stark appeared, Friday's familiar voice chimed in.
"Sir, welcome back. All systems are online, and you now have access to the full range of Iron Man suits. Shall I assist with combat preparation?"
Charlie smiled. He had been waiting for this. Friday, the AI assistant who had been originally designed by Stark himself, was now in her element. While she had been able to interface with the Batcave earlier, this was her true home—the lab where she had been born.
Friday could directly access the lab's network and link up with all of Stark's equipment. From stealth suits to heavy artillery, Charlie now had access to a vast array of options. The thought made him giddy with excitement.
He wasted no time. He immediately began exploring the lab, his attention drawn to the row of suits standing at attention in the underground armory.
As he controlled Stark to approach, his eyes widened. There were more than seventy suits to choose from. Each suit, carefully rendered in-game, looked as realistic and detailed as it had in the movies. From the clunky, cave-built Mark 1 to the sleek, cutting-edge Mark 43 from Avengers: Age of Ultron, they were all there.
Charlie marveled at the collection. These suits had become so iconic in the MCU that they had even made their way into the comics, where they had been integrated into Stark's backstory. But it wasn't just the movie versions—there were also several suits from the comics themselves.
Charlie had initially thought the comic versions of Iron Man's armor would be far stronger than the movie versions, given how overpowered many comic book heroes were. But to his surprise, the early comic versions were weaker than their MCU counterparts. Some of the early armors weren't even full exoskeletons. Stark had worn a tight golden suit underneath, with red armor plates attached to his body like a patchwork.
It wasn't until Stark injected himself with the Extremis virus, merging with his armor on a molecular level, that his comic book suits reached their true potential. But Charlie realized that this version of Iron Man—the one with superpowers—wasn't available in the B-level pool. For now, the most powerful armor in the lab was the Mark 43.
"Sir, Daredevil's Auto-Hack time is over," Friday said. "Would you like to review the benefits and missions triggered during this period?"
"Absolutely," Charlie replied, his excitement rising again. "Show me."