Even though Captain America has known Iron Man for years, he still falls in love with the oldest armor trick in the book – which Stark likes to use in the MCU.
Warning: contains spoilers for Thor #25!
marvel’s Captain America may be smart, but he still falls in love Iron Man’s the greatest armor trick in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, again and again. Steve Rogers has known Tony Stark for decades and the two have fought side by side countless times (and even fought each other in times like 2006 Civil war crossover event). But recent events in Thor #25 proving that Captain America doesn’t know his friend at all and keeps falling for Tony’s oldest trick in the book.
Bruce Banner is suspected of killing seventeen innocent people at a bar in El Paso, Texas, and the Avengers have gathered to interrogate him – or, if a peaceful option fails, attack him with all their might. But Thor, who recently suffered the loss of his father Odin, took it upon himself to face Banner alone, armed with his reforged hammer (with Odin’s spirit trapped within). As Hulk and Thor battle fiercely in new series Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of Warsome of the other Avengers seek to end violence… even through violence.
In Thor #25, written by Donny Cates with art by Martin Coccolo, the Avengers tracked down the Hulk’s location via the ravens Huginn and Muninn from Thor (formerly Odin). Captain America and Captain Marvel agree that the team should let the fight go until the Hulk is defeated or sufficiently weakened. “No, I’ll go fight him.” said Tony. He is apparently preparing for a launch sequence even as he remains in the conference room. Captain America is finally putting the pieces together, saying “Wait, are you there?” “I’m never at these meetings, Cap,” Iron Man responds as massive armor takes off from a mountain. Captain America and the other Avengers were talking to a remote-controlled suit during the entire meeting.
This isn’t the first time Tony has done this stunt: Iron Man #290 threw in a remote-controlled telepresence suit that Tony could use (and there was no space for a pilot, meaning he could only be operated as a drone). Iron Man is particularly fond of using this tactic in the MCU; iron man 3 and Spider-Man: Homecoming involve Iron Man scenes seemingly saving the day as the Avenger while Tony Stark uses the suit safely from miles away. Captain America counts Stark as one of his closest friends and allies, and Steve Rogers really should have guessed earlier that Tony wouldn’t attend any “boring” meetings in person.
In all fairness, Tony Stark is a genius and possesses an intelligence only (occasionally) surpassed by Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. This only applies to scientific knowledge, however; tactically, Stark lags behind Captain America and others who have had real military training. Thereby, Captain America should be smart enough to easily spot Iron Man’s remote combination tower; as long as Stark’s visor remains closed, there remains the possibility that the real Stark isn’t actually there.
