In the vibrant landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man’s legendary armors have undergone numerous transformations. The latest enhancement comes from the recently released season 3 of What If…?, which presents a spectacular evolution of one of his most iconic designs. This season, which aired over a span of eight days, introduces fresh variants within the MCU, including intriguing characters like a Celestial Agatha Harkness, an Avenger Red Guardian, and Storm’s incarnation as the Goddess of Thunder. Notably, it also debuts the Mech Avengers, who exhibit a striking new take on Iron Man’s formidable designs in the very first episode titled “What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?”.
Throughout his tenure in the MCU, Tony Stark has crafted a multitude of Iron Man suits, each presenting improved technology and advanced capabilities. While many of these armors faced destruction during the battle against Aldrich Killian in the critically acclaimed Iron Man 3, Stark’s ingenuity remained undeterred as he continued to innovate. Remarkably, some of his most impressive designs made their appearance post-Iron Man 3, and one of these standout creations received a noteworthy upgrade in the latest season of What If…?, enhancing a design that has been around for nearly a decade.
The Hulkbuster: Iron Man’s Premier Creation
The Hulkbuster’s Debut in Avengers: Age of Ultron
Tony Stark first unveiled Veronica and the Hulkbuster armor in the 2015 blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron. Designed to subdue the uncontrollable Hulk, the Hulkbuster armor allowed Stark to match Bruce Banner’s formidable strength during a chaotic duel orchestrated by the Scarlet Witch’s manipulation. This iconic battle in Johannesburg highlighted the Hulkbuster as one of Stark’s most impressive creations, ultimately bringing the Hulk to submission.
Watch the duel here
In a later storyline, the Hulkbuster returned for the climactic battle in Avengers: Infinity War. With Hulk hesitant to emerge following his clash with Thanos, Bruce Banner donned the Hulkbuster armor, allowing him to fight alongside his friends. This armor was not only a powerful tool but also a pivotal element in defeating Cull Obsidian, a fierce challenger from Thanos’ Black Order. The strength of the Hulkbuster became even more pronounced in the premiere of What If…? season 3.
What If…? Season 3: Reinventing the Hulkbuster Armor
The Mech Avengers and Their Enhanced Hulkbuster Armor
In the debut episode of What If…? season 3, the original Avengers are tasked with battling colossal Hulk monsters. To aid them in this formidable endeavor, Tony Stark enhances the Hulkbuster armor, creating massive mech-suits customized for each Avenger. This transformation allows the heroes to engage the Hulk-sized foes using machines reminiscent of Power Rangers Zords. Remarkably, this innovation extends to the new Avengers team, enabling their mech-suits to combine into what they call the Mighty Avenger.
The evolution of the Hulkbuster armor showcases Stark’s unparalleled genius within the MCU, revealing his ability to amplify an already formidable design into something extraordinary. As fans speculate about the future of the MCU, the potential transition of the Mech Avengers into live-action in Phase 6 would be an exhilarating development. It would mark a bold return of Iron Man’s impressive Hulkbuster armor in a new context.