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Iron Man was remade and relaunched in the Heroes Reborn saga, which restarted the book at issue #1 (and began Volume II). He retained the identity of billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, existing in a parrallel universe, similar to, although darker than, the original Marvel Universe (616). This alternate universe reflected the changes in style and tone that had begun to seep into the comics industry at the time. (Heroes were now dark. Heroes were depressed. And they really weren't good--at least not always.) Even though the Heroes Reborn Iron Man's world was as different from his old world, as ours is from the world in which Stan Lee created Iron Man, the essence of the hero remained relatively unchanged. But it didn't last.
Iron Man soon reappeared in the Marvel Universe with Heroes Return. While not fully addressing the Iron Boy fiasco, which temporarily robbed the world of the adult Tony Stark, the new Iron Man--again restarted at #1 (Volume III, if you're playing along at home)--revolved around an adult Tony Stark, billionaire/playboy, courageous hero.
Upon his return, Tony set up a consulting shingle with a new venture, Stark Solutions. He loaned out his talent to deep pocketed clients, while funneling profits to charitible causes. Recently, however, Stark decided to take back his former companies, getting back to the business of inventing for himself and humanity. Sadly, Iron Man was soon faced his publishing foes, and a really promising run turned into years of poor stories. Volume III couldn't even be saved by a real interesting run near the end that seemed to bring Tony Stark back to his roots, and the series ended somewhat abruptly with #89.
Recently, Iron Man has returned with a new number one and new Volume (IV). Now imbedded with nanotechnology, and steeled with his fantastic armor, Tony Stark is once again plotting a course toward our future. But whatever the Volume, whatever the title of the mag, this hero symbolizes the undauntible human spirit and the forward march of technology.
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