Katarzyna Petru
Tomorrow at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET), the first three episodes of the new Marvel series – “Ironheart” – will debut on the Disney+ platform. The production follows the story of Riri Williams, a young inventor who, much like Tony Stark did in the past, builds her own suit and begins her journey toward becoming a superhero. But before this new chapter starts, it's worth recalling the origins of the character Ironheart, what we already know about her from the Marvel cinematic universe, and how she differs from her comic book counterpart.
Who is Ironheart? The Legacy of Tony Stark
Riri Williams is a brilliant teenager from Chicago who got into the prestigious MIT at just 15 years old. She has the mind of an engineer on par with Tony Stark himself, and his fate serves as her greatest inspiration. She first appeared in Marvel comics in 2016, created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato, and later developed by Eve L. Ewing.
In the comic book world, Riri builds her own version of Iron Man's suit while still a student, and eventually adopts the alias Ironheart. After the death of Tony Stark (who then exists as an AI), she takes on part of his mission and ideals, creating a new approach to heroism – more youthful, idealistic, but no less effective.
Ironheart in the MCU – Film Beginnings
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) introduced Riri in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022). In this version, Riri is studying at MIT and working on her own projects in her spare time. Her greatest achievement becomes a device for detecting vibranium – an incredibly valuable metal from Wakanda. This invention accidentally attracts the attention of Namor, the ruler of the underwater kingdom of Talokan, who sees Riri as a threat.
Later in the film, Riri is captured by Namor's people and ends up in his kingdom alongside Shuri, before escaping to Wakanda, where she constructs her first fully-fledged battle suit. Together with the Black Panther, she participates in the fight against the forces of the water empire. The film's ending leaves an open door for further adventures of the heroine — and this is precisely what the plot of the new series is based on.
What will the series “Ironheart” be about?
The new production from Marvel Studios brings Riri back to Chicago. After the events in Wakanda, the young inventor drops out of college and returns to her family. Viewers will meet her loved ones: her mother Ronnie (Anji White) and childhood friends, including Xavier Washington (Matthew Elam), the brother of her late friend Natalie.
But it's not just a story about returning home. Riri enters a new phase of her life when she meets Parker Robbins, known in the underworld as Hood (played by Anthony Ramos). He is a mysterious villain with his own moral code, who gathers a team of outsiders fighting for “justice on their own terms.” Also on the horizon is Joe McGillicuddy (Alden Ehrenreich) – a loner and engineer who, like Riri, admires Tony Stark's legacy.
The series tells not only of suits and fights, but primarily about the clash of youthful ideals with harsh reality. Riri faces the consequences of her inventions, new relationships, and decisions that could weigh heavily on her future as a hero.
MCU vs Comics – What's Changing?
As is usual with Marvel adaptations, the film version differs from the comic book original. In the comics, Riri had no connection to Wakanda, and her suits were constructed in secret, without the involvement of other superheroes. In the MCU, however, she receives strong support from Shuri, and her debut is immediately intertwined with a broader global conflict.
The character of Parker Robbins / Hood also deviates from the comic book counterpart, where he was a character closely associated with magic – his cloak granted him the ability to teleport and was of demonic origin. In the series, he will likely be grounded within the more realistic confines of the MCU, though we will only learn the full details in upcoming episodes.
What’s next in the Marvel world?
The premiere of Ironheart is just the beginning of a new chapter for Marvel Television. On August 6, the animated series “Eyes of Wakanda” will debut, and an animated series “Marvel Zombies” is planned for Halloween. Another live-action premiere is scheduled for December: “Wonder Man”, featuring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the main role and Ben Kingsley returning as Trevor Slattery.
The first three episodes will be available tomorrow – June 25 at 9:00 PM ET on Disney+. The final three episodes will hit the platform on July 1 at the same time.
