Tony Stark and Emma Frost: A History of Their Dates and Disputes

It should come as no surprise that Tony Stark and Emma Frost have history. Putting aside their respective roles in the Avengers and X-Men, they’re both powerful business moguls who share a taste for the finer things in life. And although their relationship hasn’t always been pleasant, there’s no denying the chemistry between them whenever they cross paths. With FALL OF X rapidly approaching to upend Krakoa as we know it and Feilong—one of mutantkind’s most ruthless foes—in control of Stark Unlimited, it’s high time for the two to rekindle their bond.

In today’s INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2022) #4 by Gerry Duggan and Juan Frigeri, Tony approached Emma and proposed a new alliance that could save them both. Will this partnership stay strictly business, or is Tony invested in a romance with the White Queen as well? Find out what to expect by looking back at some of their most notable interactions over the years.

The Hellfire Club

The Hellfire Club is an exclusive group for the world’s wealthy elite—so naturally, Howard Stark was a member. Tony inherited his Hellfire Club membership and, while he never involved himself in the group’s more shadowy schemes, he’s never one to turn down a good party.

As seen in UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL (2009) #2, he first met Emma at one of the club’s infamous soirees. Unfortunately, he wasn’t on his best behavior that night and failed to make a good impression. Still, the two often reference their times cavorting around the globe together, so perhaps there was a spark after all…

Civil War

In the groundbreaking Marvel Comics crossover event CIVIL WAR, the Super Hero community was torn asunder when the government passed the Superhuman Registration Act. Leading the pro-registration forces, Tony was in desperate need of new allies and paid Emma a visit at the Xavier Institute. Emma coldly rebuffed his request for the X-Men’s support, reminding him that during mutantkind’s darkest days, Iron Man and the Avengers were nowhere to be found. The two parted ways, promising to stay out of each other’s business for the time being.

The Heroic Age

Timed passed, and brighter days came for both the X-Men and Iron Man. For the first time in ages, mutantkind had hope for the survival of their species, while Iron Man enjoyed a new lease on life after recovering from a near death experience and reuniting with the Avengers.

In UNCANNY X-MEN (1963) #526, Tony and Emma enjoyed a swanky dinner together to heal their old wounds and celebrate their newfound blessings. They toasted to a stronger bond between the Avengers and X-Men with more communication and less secrets. If only that were to last…

Avengers Vs. X-Men

To the X-Men, the return of the Phoenix Force was a symbol of rebirth, but to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, it was a world-ending disaster waiting to happen. As the cosmic force made its fateful approach towards Earth, an intense war broke out between Marvel’s two biggest Super Hero teams in the epic crossover event AVENGERS VS. X-MEN.

Emma and Tony confronted each other directly during the saga’s opening battle on Utopia. Tony came prepared and took down Emma with anti-telepathy tech, but that didn’t stop her from switching to her diamond form and delivering “the most expensive punch in history.” The fighting only escalated when Tony’s attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force led to Emma becoming a host herself as part of the Phoenix Five.

In the wake of the event, Emma had no choice but to join Cyclops and his band of mutant revolutionaries. When this outlaw X-Men team had a showdown with the Avengers in UNCANNY X-MEN (2013) #3, Emma and Tony got into a passionate debate over which of them was to blame for the tragedies that unfolded during the Avengers and X-Men’s conflict. Neither of them would accept responsibility, and it seemed that any fondness the two had for each other was long gone.

Krakoa and Beyond

The founding of Krakoa gave mutantkind a chance to succeed like never before. From terraforming Mars to achieving immortality, they’ve been flexing their dominance left and right—and with each accomplishment, Tony has grown more uneasy.

At last year’s Hellfire Gala, Tony expressed his concerns openly to Emma, warning her that Krakoa’s power moves could have dangerous repercussions. Unbothered, Emma assured him that mutantkind would survive without his help just like they always have, but even she was rattled when Tony implied that certain members of the Quiet Council had been playing dirty.

To make up for putting a damper on the night’s festivities, Tony invited Emma to a private dinner in T.E.S.T. KITCHEN INFINITY COMIC (2022) #2. Thanks to his new chef Anna’s exemplary culinary skills, he was able to impress even Emma’s refined palette, but they still have a long way to go to make amends.

Do you think Tony and Emma make a good match? Read these issues and more on Marvel Unlimited today, and see what the future holds for the pair in upcoming issues of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2022).

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