Stark Tower
Stark Tower is a location that features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
History
Stark Tower was a tall building situated in Manhattan in New York City that was built by Tony Stark who spent four years in its construction. It was considered one of the dream projects of his life. Initially, he intended to use it as his new home but following the creation of a new incarnation of the Avengers then the top three floors were used as their base of operations rather than Avengers Mansion. (New Avengers v1 #3) Ultron targeted the tower as part of a contingency plan to deal with the Sentry by eliminating his wife Lindy Lee leading to a battle that damaged the Tower. (Mighty Avengers v1 #6) It was then being repaired as the Mighty Avengers were deployed on their next mission to deal with a Symbiote bomb that infected New York City inhabitants. (Mighty Avengers v1 #7)
When the Hulk returned to Earth, he brought about the events of World War Hulk as he sought revenge against those responsible for sending him to Sakaar. Upon arriving, he battled Iron Man in a Hulkbuster Suit where their battle took them into Avengers Tower that was heavily damaged in the process. This saw Hulk tackle Tony Stark through every floor of the skyscraper and emerge with the defeated Iron Man in hand. (World War Hulk v1 #1)
Following the Skrull Invasion, the alien attackers were killed leading to Norman Osborn being chosen to replace Tony Stark as the new head of a law enforcement agency. Osborn thus formed H.A.M.M.E.R. that replaced S.H.I.E.L.D. in this role and formed his own team of Dark Avengers that were headquartered at Avengers Tower. With it under Norman's control, he found a vault within the building and sought access to the StarkTech inside of it. To access it, he hired the Ghost to open it whereupon he found that it held the various Iron Man Armors made by Stark with Norman using it to build his Iron Patriot suit. (Dark Avengers v1 #1)
As Ronin, Clint Barton infiltrated the Tower on his mission to assassinate Norman Osborn where he created a distraction by throwing Mac Gargan out the window. This caused chaos allowing for Ronin to deal with various members of the Dark Avengers whilst evading others when the security lockdown came into effect. He snuck into Osborn's office where he fired his gun but Norman was equipped with a personal shield that delayed Ronin long enough for Ares to apprehend Barton who was taken captive as it was to be interrogated to find out the location of his New Avenger compatriots. (Dark Reign: The List - Avengers v1 #1)
During a secret meeting of the Cabal, Doctor Doom met with Osborn where he demanded him to bring forth Namor. Director Osborn did not appreciate the threat and unleashed the Void to fight against the Latverian ruler causing a battle that devastated Avengers Tower that was covered up by Norman. The building was evacuated and after Doom was fought off the H.A.M.M.E.R. forces along with the Dark Avengers returned to occupy it once more. (Dark Avengers v1 #15)
With the Siege over, Osborn and his allies were arrested for their crimes allowing for the heroes to return to Stark Tower. It was there that the Asgardians wanted to symbolise their unity with Earth's superheroes by creating an embassy at the top of Avengers Tower with this replacing the Sentry's former Watchtower. This was to signify that if anyone ever endangered Midgard that the world could call upon the aid of Asgard. (Siege v1 #4) In the aftermath, Tony Stark rebuilt the tower with improvements where it once more served as the headquarters of the Avengers as worldwide celebrations were held at its completion. (Avengers Assemble v2 #1) Steve Rogers formed a new incarnation of the Avengers that came to be based at Stark Towers. At that time, Kang the Conqueror appeared before them leading to a battle with the villain who warned them of the threat of Ultron who ruled a future where the Avengers children were the only survivors. (Avengers v4 #1) They were then attacked by a time-displaced alternate reality version of Apocalypse and his Horsemen who were delayed long enough until they were sent back into the time-stream. (Avengers v4 #3) During Fear Itself, the Thing by the hammer of Angrir: Breaker of Souls and became one of the Worthy who caused terror on the Earth. In that time, he battled the Red Hulk where Nul was responsible for destroying Avengers Tower. (Avengers v4 #14) After its destruction, Stark lacked the funds to rebuild the tower and felt that this was a sign to leave it gone but Captain America convinced him to make it again by requesting access to Asgard's treasures from Thor. In the mean time, with Avengers Tower gone, the Avengers team temporarily based themselves back at Avengers Mansion alongside the New Avengers. (Avengers v4 #18) The Tower resumed being the Avengers headquarters in the aftermath of the Avengers versus X-Men conflict with Wonder Man attempting to make amends for his past actions by meeting Captain America at the skyscraper. (Avengers v4 #31)
Afterwards, Tony Stark decided to sell the Tower to Qeng Enterprises with various Avengers being asked to recover any personal effects. (Avengers v6 #0) This was due Stark suffering from financial issues at the time and the need to sell assets. (All-New, All-Different Avengers v1 #1) Upon its purchase, Qeng's owner Mr. Gryphon had all the items present within it removed but during the removal an item was disturbed that allowed the Chitauri Warbringer to materialise at the site. (All-New, All-Different Avengers v1 #2)
Despite the sale, the Tower was seemingly returned back to Tony Stark who continued to make it his corporate headquarters. (Amazing Spider-Man v5 #8)
Overview
It was considered a gleaming beacon of modern architecture. (New Avengers v1 #3) Tony Stark had said that he was very proud of the building. (Avengers v4 #18)
The building consisted of 67 stories that had retail shops, offices and luxury apartments topped off with a penthouse level and rooftop garden. (Iron Man v3 #1) The top three floors were initially intended to be his new place of residence. (New Avengers v1 #3) It was noted that the tower was guarded against spying technology due to the use of Starktech. (New Avengers v1 #25)
It was located in the heart of New York City. (New Avengers v1 #14) The tower was located 10 blocks from the Baxter Building. (New Avengers v1 #7)
Occupants
- Tony Stark :
- Robert Reynolds :
- Norman Osborn :
- Lindy Lee :
Notes
- Stark Tower was created by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch where it made its first appearance in New Avengers v1 #3 (March, 2005).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Stark Tower appeared in the setting of the animated television series where it was the corporate headquarters of Stark International.
- In The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Stark Tower appeared in the setting of the animated television series. It was shown as being the headquarters of Stark Industries with Tony Stark using it during his day-to-day dealings with his company. The building housed the corporation's ARC Reactor that provided clean and unlimited energy to the tower.
- In Avengers Assemble, Stark Towers appeared in the setting of the animated television series where it became the new headquarters of the Avengers after the destruction of Avengers Mansion.
Films
- In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stark Tower made a number of appearances in the shared continuity setting.
- In The Avengers, it made its first appearance in the live-action film.
- In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Stark Tower made a brief appearance in the live-action film.
- In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Stark Tower made a return appearance in the live-action film.
- In Doctor Strange, Stark Tower made a brief appearance in the live-action film.
- In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Stark Tower made an appearance in the live-action film. It was shown that Tony Stark was selling the building and moving all of its equipment to upstate New York to the new Avengers Compound.
Video games
- In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Stark Tower featured as the first headquarters in the game for the player.
- In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Stark Tower featured in the game with the area around it serving as a safe zone for S.H.I.E.L.D. who sent civilians to the site to protect them from Symbiote infection.
- In Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Avengers Tower appeared in the campaign and was an arena stage in the fighting video game. It served as the headquarters for the superheroes of the merged Capcom and Marvel universe where they sought to fight the attacks of Ultron. The building was protected by a powerful shield but this was later pierced by Ultron Sigma who sought to claim the power of the Infinity Stones.
- In Marvel Heroes, Avengers Tower served as a hub for the players as a place to meet up or train or get equipment and to be given missions.
- In Marvel Avengers Academy, Stark Tower appeared as a feature in the mobile video game.
- In Marvel: Future Fight, Stark Tower featured in the game where Ultron attacked it.
- In Spider-Man, Stark Tower appeared in the setting of the 2018 video game where it was a landmark on the map.
- In Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, Avengers Tower appeared in the setting of the Wii video game. It was shown as the headquarters of the Avengers where it was used to study and contain the Infinity Stones along with the mysterious ISO-8 crystal.
Appearances
- New Avengers v1:
- Iron Man:
- World War Hulk v1:
- Dark Avengers v1:
- Savage She-Hulk v2:
- Dark Reign: The List - Avengers v1:
- Avengers Assemble v2:
- Siege v1:
- Avengers v4:
- Amazing Spider-Man v5:
External Links
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