Summary
Iron Manmade the case that Mister Fantastic might be smarter, but only because of his powers. Reed Richards is widely considered the Marvel Universe’s most intelligent character – but it remains up for debate whether Tony Stark is smarter. Certainly, both are among thesmartest characters in Marvel Comics, and while most would rank Reed higher than Tony on that list, Stark offered an interesting caveat to the debate.
The Invincible Iron Man (2008)#4 – written by Matt Fraction, with art by Salvador Larroca – features an exchange between the two heroic colleagues, in which Tony suggest thatReed’s brain power comes from his superpowers, suggesting Mister Fantastic can stretch his brain in order to increase his intellectual capacity.
In theory, it actually seems plausible, but whether that is an accurate way to think about Richards' brain power or not, there’s something impressive about the fact that Tony is able to outsmart Reed shortly after making this assertion.
Here’s Everything That Makes Reed Richards Fantastic, In A Single Issue
While there are countless story arcs dedicated to casting Reed Richards as a villain, all of his heroic traits are distilled here into a single issue.
Tony Stark Offers A Surprisingly Simple Explanation For Why Reed Richards Is Smarter Than Him
The Invincible Iron Man (2008)#4 – Written By Matt Fraction; Art By Salvador Larroca; Color By Frank D’Armata; Lettering By Chris Eliopoulos
Reed is dumbfounded when Tony puts him in simultaneous checkmate in every game of chess they have on their boards. Tony doesn’t answer how he did that, but he does walk away with a smile on his face.
This storyline takes place at a time after Ezekiel Stane – son of Tony’s longtime rival, Obadiah, a.k.a. Iron Monger,the MCU’s first villain– set off a series of superterrorist attacks over the world. As he plans his next move, Iron Man makes time to regroup with Mister Fantastic as the two decide to play several games of chess at once. Tony takes a moment in his monologue to admit Reed is the only man alive that’s smarter than him, butonly because the"cheater"can stretch his brain to make his brain physically bigger.
The two start discussing chess, and Tony reveals he never picked up the game until he met Obadiah Stane, believing that understanding the game would bring him closer to understanding Stane, which by proxy would help him defeat the villain. Moments later, Reed is dumbfounded when Tony puts him in simultaneous checkmate in every game of chess they have on their boards. Tony doesn’t answer how he did that, but he does walk away with a smile on his face, saying,“That’s how I’m going to win. That’s how I’m going to beat Stane.”
Iron Man Jokingly Calls Reed Richards A “Cheater,” But He Acknowledges His Friend’s Intellect
While Showing Off His Own
Tony Stark will go out of his way to find a way to win, just so he could have at least one opportunity to assert his dominance.
This series of panels perfectly exemplifies whoTony Stark is as a character. He becomes practically obsessive about the things he can’t understand, and the games he can’t win. Worse than any battle he’s had with alcohol,Iron Man’s real addiction is war, and he’d go to great lengths to win at any costs. He taught himself the intricacies of chess just so he could say he defeated Obadiah Stane, and it appears he’s applied the same notion to Reed Richards. Surely, he takes personally the very idea that anyone could be smarter than him.
That’s why it’s tricky to say for sure that Iron Man is smarter than Reed Richards. He outsmarts him miraculously, yes, but outsmarting someone in a moment doesn’t necessarily mean one is smarter. What it does mean, however, is thatTony Stark will go out of his wayto find a way to win, just so he could have at least one opportunity to assert his dominance. All he needs isone moment of tricking the smartest man alive forIron Manto have the validation of saying he outsmarted such a man, arguing for his superiority.
Invincible Iron Man (2008)#4is available now from Marvel Comics.
Iron Man
Anthony “Tony” Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is a Marvel Comics superhero who has enjoyed several years of the spotlight and has become a mainstay in several Marvel media franchises. After suffering a critical injury, Tony creates a specialized armored suit powered by an arc reactor, which keeps him alive. Egotistical but good-hearted, Tony utilizes his super intellect and inventions to fight to protect humanity from various threats, eventually becoming a founding member of the Avengers. In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was kicked off with the film Iron Man, which starred Robert Downey Jr. as the superhero.
