Comic books have a long and proud history of subverting expectations, and rewriting the history of their most popular characters. As comic narratives have become a source of mainstream media, creators have been able to pick and choose unique storylines to adapt.Dead Space RemakedeveloperEA Motive recently began work on anIron Mantitle, though few details have been shared surrounding its gameplay and narrative. Since many mainline stories have already been adapted for screens, EA Motive’sIron Mancould work wonders by focusing on an obscure storyline and character, pitting Iron Man against a villain with whom he shares a deep and troubling history.
EA Motive’sIron Manwas first rumored to be in development in August 2022 before EA Motive’s name was attached a month later. Given the critical and commercial success of Motive’sDead Space Remake, fans are excited to see the title’s flight and combat evolve for Marvel’s billionaire playboy. However, this newIron Mantitle could choose to adopt a dark and mysterious storyline featuring Tony’s discovery and ultimate conflict with another version of Iron Man, his brother Arno Stark.
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The History of Arno Stark
Of thestory arcs that EA Motive’sIron Mancould adapt,The Secret Origin of Tony Starkis likely among the most unique and obscure. In the arc, Tony comes into contact with a Rigellian Recorder, a sentient robot used to scout the universe. This Recorder, called 451, reveals to Tony that it had met his parents before Tony’s birth. Howard and Maria Stark were having trouble conceiving, so Howard rescued 451 from an alien race, the Greys, for it to assist using genetic modification.
451 determines that the remaining Greys pose a significant threat to Earth’s survival, and determines that a child of the Starks could be Earth’s protector as it achieves a means of intergalactic defense. 451 reveals thatTony Stark’s originsare that of a human who was genetically modified to pilot a nuclear deterrent called the Godkiller Armor. However, Tony is unable to pilot the armor and returns to Earth looking for answers. He discovers a recording, in which Howard reveals that he meddled before the birth of his child, causing him to become terminally ill. Out of fear of the Rigellians, the Starks hid their true biological son Arno away, before adopting a SHIELD agent’s son, naming him Tony and raising him as their own. While intending to meet Arno, 451 unearthed the true origins of Tony and set a conflict in motion.
Arno Stark’s Iron Man
Marvel comics have endured two Civil War arcs, in which heroes battle each other over the issues of regulation and identity. In the second, Tony is killed by Captain Marvel before miraculously returning. However, Tony soon reveals that he believes himself to be an AI simulation of the real Tony Stark, paving the way for Arno to supplant him as Iron Man 2020. At the time, AI rights had become a hot topic in the Marvel Universe, with two very active sides of the debate. Arno was stringently opposed, as he suffered from an overwhelming paranoia that AI called the Extinction Entity, which could destroy organic life.
Arno’s paranoia enacts a conflict between the twoIron Man personas, as Tony, believing himself to be among the artificial race, battles alongside an AI army to halt Arno’s plans to subjugate all AI beings. Whether from the perspective of Tony or Arno, EA Motive would have a unique storyline to explore. With development on the title only having recently started, fans likely have a while to wait before major details are revealed. Should Motive choose to adaptThe Secret Origin of Tony Stark, its work onDead Spaceproves it could produce a dark and mature title, unlike anyIron Mangame before it.
AnIron Mangame from EA Motive is currently in development.
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