Iron Man vs Sam Wilson: Why Is Marvel So Eager to Kickstart a New Civil War?

[[{“value”:”

Warning: Contains potential spoilers for West Coast Avengers #6!

Marvel Comics seems to be teasing yet another take on the publisher’s famous Civil War crossover between its two Avengers teams, only with Iron Manfacing off against Sam Wilson’s Captain Americathis time around. Tony Stark still remains as a member of the main Avengers team, but the revamped West Coast offshoot that he’s leading might have just found themselves going toe-to-toe with Marvel’s premier team of powerful heroes.

In the solicitation for West Coast Avengers #6 – written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Ton Lima – Marvel suggests that this version of the team will soon be disrupted by the actual Avengers. Ben Harvey’s stunning cover even features Tony Stark and Sam Wilson recreate the iconic shield clash between Cap and Iron Man in Civil War.

The art shows other match-ups, including Storm vs Spider-Woman, and a powerful techno-battle between Vision and Ultron. Though it uses a direct reference to the devastating and dramatic crossover on the main cover, it’s still unclear why Marvel is proposing another hero-on-hero brawl.

Avengers Divided: Why Are Captain America & Iron Man Fighting Again In 2025?

West Coast Avengers #6 – Written By Gerry Duggan; Art By Ton Lima; Cover By Ben Harvey; Available April 2, 2025

Civil War is one of the most well-known Marvel Comics crossover events, spawning a sequel and MCU adaptation, but each version of the storyline has ended in catastrophe for the Avengers, and some controversy among audiences. Introducing a moral debate between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes divides those in the universe and makes readers choose sides between their favorite heroes, so there must be a good reason for Marvel to tease a war brewing between its Avengers teams. Although Ultron’s new role as an Avenger seems like a likely explanation, the issue’s synopsis hints that another issue could be fueling the fight.

Tony’s team has a renewed focus on rehabilitating Avengers villains, with Ultron and a low-level jerk like Blue Bolt, aka Killerwatt, added to the ranks of the team. Although this seems like a questionable enough decision to cause the dispute between the West Coast Avengers and the universe’s main team, Duggan’s series is seemingly introducing an all-new reason for Tony and Sam’s fight. With the two teams running concurrently, it would make sense for there to be a bigger difference between them than just which coast they stay on, especially since the Avengers are a global team anyway.

Another Civil War Might Be The Last Thing Fans Want From Current Avengers Comics

But Could This Be Another Cover Fake-Out?

Though the shield clash between Captain America and Iron Man might just be an homage to Civil War, it could still signal a major rift coming between Sam Wilson and Tony Stark. However, there’s still a real possibility that this is all a misdirection from Marvel. The Avengers series recently teased another high-stakes comic crossover revamp with Avengers vs X-Men, but the actual issue saw the two teams solidify their bond as allies. Avengers #21 – written by Jed Mackay, with art by Valerio Schiti – subverted the narrative, proving that unified superheroes can be just as exciting as them going head-to-head.

With this fight only teased for one issue of West Coast Avengers, it’s pretty much guaranteed that it won’t have the massive scale of either previous Civil War storyline. Still, if the confrontation between Sam Wilson and Tony Stark is more than just a fun reference for the issue’s cover, their rivalry could mean major consequences for both teams, but hopefully it’s not as dire for the heroes as it has been in other crossover events. If Iron Man and Captain America are really preparing to go to war yet again, Marvel’s iconic Avengers might be disassembling in 2025.

West Coast Avengers #6 will be available April 2, 2025 from Marvel Comics!

“}]] Are the Avengers going to war again?  Read More