The original Iron Man film was a gamble for Marvel Studios, since the character had always had a dedicated following in the comic books, but wasn't as well known to the general audience as, say, Spider-Man or even the Fantastic Four. Regardless, Tony Stark's big screen outings were a phenomenal success, and we've gotta assume that's at least partly down to the strong supporting cast. The ensemble that surrounds the shell head in the comics and the films is a diverse and interesting bunch, from love interest Pepper Potts to bodyguard Happy Hogan to - everybody's favourite - Colonel James Rhodes. In the films Rhodey got his own form of Iron Man armour, and suited up first as War Machine and then Iron Patriot. Which is much the same as happened to him in the comic books, but there was a time when he got to try on the original get-up, during a period where Tony was out of action. When Monsieur Stark succumbed once again to his recurring drinking problem - not the best state to be piloting a high-tech, weaponized suit of armour - it was Rhodes that took his place until he could get himself together. He did a good job, too - good enough that he managed to fight off the villainous Obadiah Stane and keep Stark Industries from being taken over. Rhodey was also rewarded with his own modified version of the Iron Man armour, the gun-toting War Machine, once Tony was finally fit to come back to work. When he fell off the map again (this time presumed dead) the role fell to James Rhodes once again, and for a second time he ably demonstrated that he's a different sort of Iron Man, but possibly a better one? Certainly a more sober one.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
