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Iron Man is a Marvel Comics superhero. Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Don Heck, he first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 (1963).
Iron Man possesses a suit of powered armor that enhances his strength, keeps him safe from external harm, and allows him to fly, via rocket jet boots. He has also created an array of add-on weapons that boost the armor's abilities. His secret identity is Tony Stark, a billionaire and military contractor, known for his playboy lifestyle. Other people who have assumed the Iron Man identity include James Rhodes, a close associate of Stark's.
A wealthy American industrialist of incredible ingenuity and inventive genius, Iron Man was originally an anti-communist hero. Throughout the character’s comic book series, technological advancement and national defense have been constant themes, but Stark has gained a more complex worldview and flawed character, as he battled alcoholism and personal failure.
Writers often portray Iron Man as a symbol of humanity's creativity as well as its frailties. He is often placed in contrast with his close friends Captain America and Thor, the former as a comparison between interventionist and cooperative attitudes, and the latter comparing science and the supernatural. Throughout most of his career, Iron Man has been a member of the all-star group The Avengers and has been featured in several incarnations of his own comic book series.