David Bridges
Following the epic events of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is actively exploring which heroes will rise to prominence in the absence of the original cast. In terms of Iron Man’s legacy, the answer is becoming clearer with the character of Spider-Man; however, avid readers of Iron Man’s comics know that his true successor is Riri “Ironheart” Williams, a character who first appeared in 2016, created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato, Jr.
Marvel introduced Riri into the cinematic universe in 2022 through Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, signaling her future as the star of her own spinoff series. To date, this is the sole narrative thread from that film that has successfully materialized into a full-fledged project. Despite the three-year wait in reality, the transition from Wakanda to the Ironheart series feels seamless. As the series debuts, we find Riri (portrayed by Dominique Thorne) still deeply passionate about constructing Iron Man-like suits of armor, having gained firsthand experience during her time in Wakanda. She adeptly utilizes the resources available at MIT, as well as the financial support of her peers, to pursue her ambitious dreams.
In the opening moments of the pilot episode, viewers are treated to the remarkable ingenuity of Riri as she takes her latest suit for a test flight immediately after being expelled from MIT. Her exhilarating flight evokes nostalgic memories of Iron Man’s inaugural flight, infused with the youthful exuberance reminiscent of recent Spider-Man films. The suit itself is notably impressive, especially considering the constraints of a television budget. It possesses a tangible weight and realism that has been notably absent from the franchise for a considerable time, enhanced by its frequent appearances throughout the series.
Riri’s exhilarating flight home, which ends in a crash on a city street, captures the attention of Anthony Ramos’s character, Parker Robbins. He leads a gang of thieves and possesses a red hood that grants him mystical abilities. Parker quickly recognizes Riri’s need for financial backing and fame and manipulates these desires to coax her into joining his crew, which consists of various specialists handpicked by him and his trusted lieutenant John (played by Manny Montana). The members of Parker’s gang are also misfits, each driven by personal ambitions that necessitate financial support, yet unlike Riri, they openly embrace their criminal identities.
This dynamic creates an intriguing tension as Riri aids them in executing heists targeting the affluent of Chicago while simultaneously becoming increasingly suspicious of Parker’s true motives. While Riri may not embody the morally ambiguous traits typical of the latest iterations of the New Avengers, her journey raises significant ethical questions about her involvement in the crew’s criminal activities, despite her noble intentions. Thorne delivers a captivating performance, much like her portrayal in Wakanda, allowing Riri to evolve through a more intricate hero’s journey than most younger heroes in the MCU have experienced in recent times.
In contrast to characters like Kamala Khan or Peter Parker, Riri possesses neither a superhero mentor nor a desire for one to help her navigate challenges. Her brief, humorous response to a “call Wakanda” scenario showcases Thorne’s comedic prowess. Despite sharing part of a name, Ironheart intentionally moves away from exploring whether Riri will succeed Iron Man. Instead, series creator Chinaka Hodge focuses on the emotional weight of Riri’s experiences in Wakanda and her subsequent return, which profoundly impacts her relationships with loved ones, including her mother, Ronnie (Anji White), and her friend, Natalie (Lyric Ross).
Ironheart is being presented in two sets of three episodes, yet viewers may quickly find themselves wishing for a more cinematic experience. This critique applies broadly to most live-action MCU series, but it resonates here due to the supporting cast frequently appearing without fully developed character arcs, merely reacting to the actions of Riri and Parker. While Riri is a well-crafted character, the portrayal of Parker is more ambiguous; Anthony Ramos exhibits sufficient charm to convince viewers of his leadership over the assembled team, yet the mystical hood fails to project genuine menace, revealing that he was likely introduced as a stepping stone toward future character developments.
At this juncture, it remains uncertain when or if these characters will reappear, especially considering Marvel’s recent patterns and their broader narrative strategy as they approach their next significant culmination. Among the latest additions to the MCU, Ironheart boasts enough appealing elements that it would be gratifying to witness Riri and her companions return in a format that truly suits their narrative potential.
The first three Ironheart episodes are currently available for streaming on Disney+.
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Brandon Fletcher
