[[{“value”:”
The latest entry in Marvel Studios‘ line of Disney+ shows, Ironheart, is finally here and everyone is curious to see what the one and only Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) is going to do in her first solo journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. People are definitely anticipating this one, too, with the big rumor that the long-awaited Marvel villain Mephisto is going to make his appearance.
Due to Ironheart being a relatively more recent character, only being introduced in 2016, most people in the general audience/fandom are pretty uneducated about the character’s history. For those who are looking to dive deeper into Riri Williams to get more context about the kind of hero she is, as well as the stories being told in Ironheart and whatever comes next, there are plenty of comics available to read.
Ironheart
Release Date
June 24, 2025
Network
CBS
Genius teenage inventor Riri Williams creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.
10
Ironheart #12 (2019)
Written by Eve Ewing and Art by Geoffo and Luciano Vecchio
For a short time, from 2018 to 2019, Riri Williams got her very own comic book series in the form of Ironheart (2018). In the final issue, Ironheart #12 (2019), she goes through a story somewhat similar to the one she did in her first MCU appearance, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After fighting alongside General Okoye, Shuri, Silhouette, Riri is bestowed an incredible title.
…Riri was granted full access to Wakanda, which is big for the isolationist country.
After gaining the respect of these three (a high bar to reach), she is bestowed what is known as the Circlet of Bast, one of the highest, if not the highest, honors in Wakanda. Not only that, but Riri was granted full access to Wakanda, which is big for the isolationist country. She made strides in the Marvel universe with this achievement, and it very much reflects the story arc in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
9
Champions #16 (2018)
Written by Mark Waid and Art by Humberto Ramos
It’s growing increasingly clear that the MCU is building up to the formation of the Young Avengers (hopefully) and the team is very clear, which includes the likes of Ironheart. One of two after-credits scenes in The Marvels made it crystal clear that Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) is bringing together a team of young heroes and one of the most obvious choices, especially with Ironheart happening, is Riri Williams.
It’s in Champions #16 (2018) that Ironheart is brought in and recruited by the youthful coalition.
Riri is part of a similar team in the Marvel Comics universe, The Champions, which is essentially the modern Young Avengers (but, honestly, way cooler). It’s in Champions #16 (2018) that Ironheart is brought in and recruited by the youthful coalition. The Champions had just suffered quite a loss and when they decided they needed more firepower, one of the first heroes they reached out to was this iron gal, obviously.
8
Invincible Iron Man #12 (2016)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Art by Mike Deodato
The “Civil War” story arc in 2006 is one of the most influential crossover stories of all time. So, of course, they had to do a follow-up of some sort named, shockingly, “Civil War II”. Yet again, Tony Stark was a leading figure in this arc and went through a lot in his solo book at the time, Invincible Iron Man (2015). It was during said event that Tony Stark got to meet Riri Williams for the very first time in Invincible Iron Man #12 (2016).
…Riri Williams is pretty much mentored by Tony Stark in the comic books.
While MCU fans unfortunately won’t get to see this on screen, Riri Williams is pretty much mentored by Tony Stark in the comic books. While this most certainly won’t, and can’t, happen in the massive cinematic universe, it’s still a vital part of her character and elements of that relationship very much could transfer into Ironheart through another mentor of some sort.
7
Invincible Iron Man #1 (2016)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Art by Stefano Caselli
After the events of “Civil War II”, Riri Williams stepped into the protagonist role of the Invinicble Iron Man (2016) book, via a Volume 4 relaunch.After something so devastating and influential as “Civil War II,” it made sense that the status quo was going to shift in the Iron Man franchise and Riri was 100% the way to go.
After the events of “Civil War II”, Riri Williams stepped into the protagonist role of the Invinicble Iron Man (2016) book…
It’s also in Invincible Iron Man #1 (2016) that she gains an A.I. hologram version of Tony Stark to become her mentor. This issue is also very heavy on the point that there is a lot of pressure and expectations that come from stepping into Iron Man’s jet boots. This is something that, hopefully, will be addressed in Ironheart.
6
Ironheart #11 (2019)
Written by Eve Ewing and Art by Geoffo and Luciano Vecchio
During her time teaming up with the Wakandans, Ironheart did some pretty incredible things and not only did she end up gaining the Circlet of Bast in the issue to come after, it’s in Ironheart #11 (2019) where she achieves one of her biggest feats during her heroic tenure. The foes that Riri, Shuri, General Okoye, and Silhouette were none other than the menacing Ten Rings.
The foes that Riri, Shuri, General Okoye, and Silhouette were none other than the menacing Ten Rings.
There’s a pretty good chance that Riri won’t go toe-to-toe with the Ten Rings in the MCU, but Ironheart #11 (2019) is a great example of the kind of power she can bring to the battle. With the question of whether she’ll appear in Avengers: Doomsday or not, a book like this is important for readers to look at, because she more than proves herself here.
5
Infamous Iron Man #8 (2017)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Art by Alex Maleev
Infamous Iron Man (2016) is a story many people have looked to in the years leading up to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, as it features Victor von Doom taking over the Iron Man armor doing, well, all the terrible things Doctor Doom usually does. Due to Tony Stark being in a coma post-“Civil War II,” he’s not there to defend his title. Riri Williams is though.
…It features Victor von Doom taking over the Iron Man armor doing, well, all the terrible things Doctor Doom usually does.
If Ironheart does, in fact, end up appearing in Avengers: Doomsday, it’d be incredibly interesting to see a similar moment come to life on the big screen. Not only that, but Infamous Iron Man #8 (2017) shows off how strong-willed she is. She was willing to step up to one of the greatest comic book villains of all time just to defend Iron Man’s honor. That’s true heroism.
4
Champions #5 (2021)
Written by Eve Ewing and Art by Bob Quinn
Funny enough, there’s something happening in the MCU right now that’s somewhat similar to the story that ends with Champions #5 (2020). During the first five issues of this new Champions (2020) run, they encountered the conflict of teen heroes being completely outlawed in a story called, suitably, “Outlawed”.
…Riri took a bit of a center stage here, which proves how well she can thrive among heroes who are objectively bigger than her…
While Riri is in Chicago in the MCU and the current illegalization of vigilantes by the villain, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) in Daredevil: Born Again, who knows how this story will impact the future of the cinematic universe? Due to it being still developing, anything could happen. Aside from that possibility, Riri took a bit of a center stage here, which proves how well she can thrive among heroes who are objectively bigger than her, like Miles Morales and Ms. Marvel.
3
Champions #10 (2019)
Written by Jim Zub and Art by Steven Cummings
The final issue of the Champions (2019) run was one for the books, for sure. With the prior issue featuring the villain known as Blackheart—son of Mephisto—controlling Riri Williams and turning her against the Champions, Champions #10 (2019) features the team going toe-to-toe with the evil mastermind.
With the prior issue featuring the villain known as Blackheart—son of Mephisto—controlling Riri Williams and turning her against the Champions…
There have been countless rumors that Mephisto is going to be in Ironheart and giving power to the primary villain, the Hood (Anthony Ramos). A similar situation to the one in Champions (2019)‘s final arc could very well be coming soon for the young genius in her solo series. It’s tech vs. magic here and the same is the case with Champions #10 (2019).
2
Invincible Iron Man #3 (2016)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Art by Stefano Caselli
After Riri Williams took on the main title mantle with the fourth volume of Invincible Iron Man (2016), she didn’t start out with shiny, pristine armor—the one most people think of when they see her. She still donned her big, clunky, silver armor, which she’s also wearing in the new Ironheart series. It wasn’t until Invincible Iron Man #3 (2016) that Riri suited up for real.
It wasn’t until Invincible Iron Man #3 (2016) that Riri suited up for real.
She finally develops her own Iron Man-style armor, which would be known as the first real Ironheart armor, despite holding the Invincible Iron Man (2016) title. There’s pretty much no doubt that (most likely near the end) she’s going to go through a similar suit-up scene in the Disney+ show, which will be awesome, of course.
1
Invincible Iron Man #9 (2016)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Art by Mike Deodato Jr.
While Riri made her first appearance as herself in Invincible Iron Man #7 (2016), she finally suited up in her Mark I armor two issues later in Invincible Iron Man #9 (2016). This, of course, is an extremely important issue for her, as it’s her first real time in action in the comic books. While fans have seen her in action in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, they haven’t seen her in these first Mark I stages.
Based on trailers, that’s clearly the era of her career they’re taking the most inspiration from…
Based on trailers, that’s clearly the era of her career they’re taking the most inspiration from, which means Invincible Iron Man #9 (2016) is pretty much necessary reading for people wanting to dive deeper into her lore. It’s a very interesting issue and will most definitely be taken in Ironheart for their plot.
NEXT: 10 Superhero Movies That Are Bangers From Start to Finish
“}]] Before the latest MCU Disney+ series Ironheart debuts, we recommend reading comics like Invincible Iron Man #9 to explore Riri Williams’ lore. Read More