Black Cat and Iron Man's Complicated Relationship

The Black Cat might be best known for her schemes involving Spider-Man, but the talented thief has crossed paths with a number of the Marvel Universe’s iconic heroes and villains. Always on the prowl for high-octane action, Felicia Hardy came into Tony Stark's orbit after setting her sights on Iron Man’s expensive gadgets and toys. 
 
Like many of Black Cat’s introductions, Felicia’s first formal meeting with Tony started off decidedly on the wrong foot, with Iron Man finding himself on the other side of her latest score. Over the years, however, Felicia and Tony embarked on several memorable adventures together.  

As the pair crosses paths once again in AVENGERS (2023) #22 by Jed MacKay and Farid Karami, let’s take a look at the Black Cat’s complicated history with Iron Man. From high-powered showdowns, to death-defying heists, to reluctant team-ups with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, here is everything you need to know about Black Cat and Iron Man. 

Earliest Encounters

One of Black Cat and Iron Man’s earliest encounters occurred in MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN (2004) #11. In this issue, Spider-Man and Black Cat faced off against the Sinister Twelve, the largest super villain team assembled specifically to destroy the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler.

The Sinister Twelve overwhelmed Spidey and Black Cat, resulting in a last-minute rescue effort by the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and other local heroes. Iron Man was among their number.

The next encounter between Iron Man and Black Cat took place in HEROES FOR HIRE (2006) #2, as a new iteration of the team came together in the wake of the Superhero Registration Act. Iron Man tasked this ensemble, which included Black Cat, to hunt down villains that refused to register with the new law.

Full Metal Black Cat

Despite their brief dalliances in the past, Black Cat and Iron Man properly introduced themselves to one another in BLACK CAT (2019) #11.

As Black Cat looked for a way to rob the Thieves’ Guild’s extra-dimensional vault, she realized she needed a dimensional resonator, a valuable and experimental piece of tech. Felicia understood that only someone with the resources of Tony and his latest corporate venture, Stark Unlimited, could possess such technology.

Undeterred by the prospect of getting on an Avenger’s bad side, Felicia disguised herself as an investigative reporter and arranged a meeting with Tony. She then lured him away from his office by planning a false attack on Stark Unlimited’s corporate headquarters.

As Iron Man leapt into action, Felicia took advantage of Stark Unlimited's Nanoforge to construct her own power armor, the Iron Cat. Flying high in her new suit of armor, Black Cat led Iron Man further away from his building.

Iron Cat used her armor to attack the current head of the Thieves' Guild, Odessa Drake, at her home. Iron Man quickly realized that Felicia was remotely piloting the Iron Cat armor all along. Working quickly, Black Cat whisked away the tech she obtained at Stark Unlimited and evaded Iron Man. 

Iron Cat

While Black Cat designed Iron Cat as an elaborate ruse to keep Iron Man distracted, she believed this spectacular incident was the last time either of them would ever see the bespoke armor. Both Tony Stark and Felicia Hardy were therefore surprised to see the Iron Cat armor back in action with Felicia’s vengeful ex-girlfriend, Tamara Blake, at the helm in IRON CAT (2022) #1.  
 
Iron Man agreed to help Black Cat take down her ex, but Tamara sought her own backup in the form of the malevolent artificial intelligence program, Madame Menace. However, Madame Menace double-crossed Tamara and seized control of Tony Stark’s systems, including his Iron Man armors. Iron Cat and Black Cat put aside their differences and worked together to stop the rampaging program.

Outfitted with her own Iron Man armor, Felicia fought Madame Menace as Tony cleaned out the computer system. Though Iron Man begrudged the fact that Tamara escaped with the Iron Cat armor, he conceded that he and Black Cat had saved the world together in IRON CAT (2022) #5. 

Mary Jane & Black Cat

After Mary Jane Watson developed super-powers and attracted dangerously unwanted attention, she and Black Cat teamed up in MARY JANE & BLACK CAT (2022) #1. Outgunned, Black Cat turned to her reluctant new buddy Iron Man for help.

As Mary Jane's powers grew out of control, Black Cat asked Iron Man to send whatever help he could. Caught in the middle of his own super-powered crisis, a frustrated Iron Man agreed to help his old friend and associate, MJ.  
 
As Iron Man's drones got Mary Jane's family to safety, Black Cat considered asking him for more help. However, Tony Stark hung up the phone as soon as possible.

Kang's Casino Job

Black Cat's hunger for a thrill took her to new cosmic heights at the Grandmaster's intergalactic casino. There, she became a headache not only for Iron Man, but for the rest of the Avengers too.

In AVENGERS (2023) #22, Earth's Mightiest Heroes plotted a heist of their own. The Avengers planned on stealing a device that used to belong to Kang the Conqueror but now rested in the possession of the Grandmaster in his interstellar casino.

However, Kang put together a scheme to recover his property, enlisting the help of Black Cat and her time-displaced master thief father, Walter Hardy. With this incredible conniving talent by his side, Kang quickly derailed the Avengers’ plans and retrieved the coveted codex first.

When Iron Man learned about Black Cat’s involvement in Kang’s heist, he recalled how Felicia outmaneuvered him in the past and panicked. The Avengers confronted the Black Cat and Kang to try prevent them from escaping with the codex.

However, Black Cat stayed one step ahead of the Avengers, as expected from a thief of her caliber. While the Avengers chased Felicia and Kang down, Walter Hardy escaped with the prize.

Outraged, Tony asked Black Cat why she would ever work for Kang. The answer was rather straightforward. Felicia simply could not refuse the opportunity to carry out a heist with a time-displaced version of her father at his cat burglar prime. 

How will this heist conclude? Find out in AVENGERS (2023) #24 by Jed MacKay and Farid Karami, available March 19!

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