Summary
- Cap and Iron Man’s friendship is built on respect, banter, and understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Even in tense situations, Cap and Tony know how to tease each other while showing genuine care and support.
- Their dynamic has always been a mix of humor and sincerity, proving that their friendship can stand the test of time.
Captain America and Iron Man are two of Marvel’s most popular Avengers on their own, but they’re truly fantastic together. Steve Rogers is a man out of time, known for being straightforward, polite, and just. Tony Stark is a man of the future, always prepared with both the perfect tech and the perfect quip.
The two butt heads frequently, but the reason they’re both so good at getting under each other’s skin is that they have a wonderful friendship. They respect each other both as superheroes and civilians, and the rivalry between the two stems from that respect for the strengths and weaknesses they see in each other and themselves. They’re also both very funny when prodding each other, knowing the exact buttons to hit. Below are 10 of the funniest moments of Captain America and Iron Man’s friendship in Marvel Comics.
“I can last five minutes on my own, but it won’t be as entertaining without you.” – Captain America
10 Tony Taunts Steve For Getting in Trouble
Magneto: Not a Hero #1 (2012) by Skottie Young and Clay Mann
Captain America and Iron Man’s most famous fight was Marvel’s Civil War, where each stood on a different side of a disagreement about the U.S. government’s role in controlling superheroes. In 2012’s Magneto: Not a Hero, they’re both working with Washington DC, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for them to get in a few taunts at each other. After Magneto apparently massacres an anti-mutant group, the President chews out Steve Rogers for assuring everyone that the mutant was now on the side of good.
Tony Stark, of course, has a far greater reason to distrust Magneto, and enjoys Cap’s dressing down as a vindication for his friend trusting the villain Iron Man has nightmares about. After Steve is finished, having just gotten reamed by his boss, Tony says, “You’re walking a little funny, Steve. Next time you should establish a safe word.”
9 Steve Serves Tony a Taste of His Own Medicine
Magneto: Not a Hero #1 (2012) by Skottie Young and Clay Mann
Turnabout is fair play, of course. In the same issue of Magneto: Not a Hero, Captain America and Iron Man meet with Cyclops and Magneto to discuss the attack. True to his knowledge of safe words, Tony shows up in a rubber version of his Iron Man suit, assured that Magneto can’t crush him in his armor. Steve and Tony present the evidence they have that Magneto committed the crime, though Erik insists on his innocence.
Tony, thinking himself safe, can’t stop taunting Magneto. He has underestimated the mutant, however. When it’s suggested they won’t let him leave, Magneto reveals that he’s picked up and is levitating all the cars on the block, promising to release them once he walks out the door. After the two mutants leave, Steve repeats Tony’s joke back to him: “You’re walking a little funny, Tony. What was that you were saying about a safe word?” Clearly not amused, Tony replies, “Hilarious.”
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8 Steve Rogers Likes Ohio and Tony Stark
Captain America/Iron Man #2 (2021) by Derek Landy and Angel Unzueta
One of the reasons Captain America and Iron Man are so funny together is that the two men know each other so well. In 2021’s Captain America/Iron Man series, the two Avengers are on the hunt for a rogue agent and an alien, and cross paths with a local group of low-level superheroes. They’re part of the United States’ “Fifty State Initiative,” which assigned a team of heroes to each state. Tony balks at the idea of getting assigned to Ohio, but Steve admits he likes the state.
Continuing to quip as they come across some thugs, Steve asks Tony to stop putting himself down. Some people think Iron Man is a narcissist, but that’s because it’s the persona Tony presents to the world. Cap knows the real him, the real hero, and the real friend. Tony is thrown off by Steve being nice to him. “Of course I am. You’re my friend,” Cap says, leading Tony to retort, “You’re being weird. Quit it.“
“You know, I always liked your pep talks.” – Tony Stark
“When they come from Captain America, they’re just talks.” – Steve Rogers
7 Tony and Steve Save Each Other from A.I.M.
Captain America and Iron Man #635 (2012) by Cullen Bunn and Barry Kitson
When A.I.M. steals a drive full of Stark tech, Cap and Iron Man are on a mission to take it back before they can cause real damage. However, A.I.M is prepared for them, and infects Tony and his armor with a nanotech virus. With the two up against M.O.D.O.K. and some other heavy hitters, it looks like the heroes are backed into a corner.
Tony has cobbled together a suit out of stray weapons he was able to find, which is why he’s not in his usual armor. The two quip during battle, but you can feel the love behind their jokes. As Steve Rogers says, “I can last five minutes on my own, but it won’t be as entertaining without you.”
6 Captain America and Iron Man Have ALWAYS Been Like This
Avengers (1963) #144 by Steve Engelheart and George Pérez
Some superheroes have become sassier and funnier as the years go on, but this classic issue of Avengers from February 1976 shows that Iron Man and Captain America have always been like this. Tony calls Steve “Winghead,” and takes credit for flying Cap and Patsy Walker (Hellcat) to safety. When he asks what they would’ve done if Iron Man hadn’t been there, Captain America shows rare arrogance: “Oh, I’d have thought of something!”
Patsy is an excellent witness to their unusual banter. The three of them, plus Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Beast are trapped in a Brand corporation factory, being attacked by missiles and thugs. However, the boys keep the mood light. When Patsy starts running away, Steve follows, as he respects the democratic voting process. Even while running, she thinks, “How can they joke at a time like this?”
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5 Captain America’s Pep Talks Actually Get Through to Iron Man
Captain America/Iron Man #2 (2021) by Derek Landy and Angel Unzueta
Like DC Comics’ Superman, Captain America is an optimistic, kind man, even if that makes him a little cringe. His pep talks are sincere and come from the heart, like everything he does. That’s why, when Tony says he’s always liked Cap’s pep talks, Steve replies, “When they’re coming from Captain America, they’re just talks.” Steve always has this attitude towards people and especially his friends. For the sarcastic, cynical Tony, it’s a huge moment of growth to admit he likes the support.
After a near-death experience, Tony Stark is reevaluating his life, looking for his place in the world. He’s downgraded to a modest Manhattan brownstone (or at least downgraded for a billionaire), and is doing some deep soul-searching. Steve congratulates him on his hard work, but tells Tony he can’t control how others see him – he can only do right by himself.
“What are you doing?” – Captain America
“I’m being nice to you. See? It’s weird, isn’t it?” – Iron Man
4 When They Argue Like Kids, They Get Treated Like Kids
Gwenpool Strikes Back #5 (2019) by Leah Williams and David Baldeón
One of the best scenes that showcases Steve and Tony’s relationship isn’t even in a book starring the two. In Gwenpool Strikes Back, Gwen Poole searches for help among Marvel’s mightiest heroes to avoid being retconned out of existence. By “search for help,” we mean she traps the Punisher in a repeating page full of bees, infuriates the Hulk, and holds an Avengers swimsuit competition.
Cap and Iron Man’s argument here is heightened for parody purposes, and so is Gwenpool’s solution to everything: cram them both in a giant T-shirt, dubbed the “We Will Get Along” Shirt until they stop bickering. It’s a comical solution many parents have used and shared, posting funny pictures of crying toddlers to social media. When they both see what’s happened to them, they get the message – argue like kids, get treated like kids.
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3 Iron Man Is Cap’s Friend, Even If It’s Weird to Say Aloud
Captain America/Iron Man #3 (2021) by Derek Landy and Angel Unzueta
When Iron Man and Captain America embark on a mission to recover a stolen Hydra weapon, they don’t expect to have strong feelings about the job. However, Steve Rogers is emotionally thrown off balance upon finding out the specifics: it’s the armor worn by the fascist Captain America from Secret Empire. Even though it wasn’t really him, he still expected his alternate reality variant to fight back against Hydra, at least a little.
Steve feels guilty for something that isn’t his fault, and Tony Stark tries to convince him otherwise in an uncharacteristically sincere moment between the two. Cap isn’t interested in talking about his feelings at the moment, wanting to get back to the job. Iron Man reminds him that he’s there for him, anytime, with a supportive shoulder grab. In a callback to the previous issue, Cap asks Tony what he’s doing, to which Tony replies, “I’m being nice to you. See? It’s weird, isn’t it?”
Marvel made waves in the comics community and beyond with 2016’s
Captain America: Steve Rogers #1
. The new series ended its first issue with Captain America killing a teammate, then saying, “Hail Hydra.” Rather than a brainwashed Steve, the character was quickly turned into an alternate version of him, created by the Cosmic Cube for Hydra.
2 When Their Guards Are Down, Everyone Picks Captain America as the Best Avenger
Avengers #21 (2018) by Jason Aaron and Jason Masters
The Avengers fight among themselves as much as they fight enemies, but after winning a huge battle against Malekith and the Frost Giants, they’re on united terms as they relax in a hot spring. Finally able to relax for even a few minutes, Iron Man and Thor express their admiration and thanks for each other, before admitting that if they could pick anyone to have their back in battle…it would be Captain America.
Steve appears on the scene and immediately shows why he’s such an asset; even exhausted by the battle, and unaware that they’re discussing a hypothetical situation, he still readily asks, “Who are we fighting? I’ve got a quinjet standing by.” Cap is aware of stragglers, threats, and cleanup that still needs to be done around the world. However, the healing waters of the hot tub let him relax for at least a few minutes, taking care of himself so he can take care of the world.
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1 “Leave Me Alone, I Am a Senior Citizen”
Avengers #34 (2010) by Brian Michael Bendis, Brandon Peterson, Mike Mayhew, and Terry & Rachel Dodson
While Tony can appreciate Steve’s pep talks, Steve brushes off Tony when he tries to give him advice by referencing his age: “Leave me alone, I am a senior citizen.” Tying into the theme from the previous entry, Captain America doesn’t allow himself to relax at a huge Avengers party, celebrating their latest success at saving the world.
When Iron Man wants to quip, Cap is ready for him, either joking back or taking the sincere route. However, when Tony gets sincere, Steve is thrown; that’s not their dynamic, and he’s always unprepared. This moment shows that even as they fight and argue, they really do care about one another’s well-being, and are happy to have each other in their lives. It’s the reason why Captain America and Iron Man’s friendship has stood the test of time.
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Captain America
Initially debuting in 1940, Captain America is the patriotically themed superhero who has shared the title with only a few individuals. Beginning with Steve Rogers, Captain America’s birth resulted from a frail man taking part in an experimental U.S. Army super-soldier trial, which imbued him with super-human abilities. The character is often depicted wielding a nigh unbreakable and aerodynamic shield made of vibranium that they use to defend and attack their foes.
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Iron Man
Anthony “Tony” Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is a Marvel Comics superhero who has enjoyed several years of the spotlight and has become a mainstay in several Marvel media franchises. After suffering a critical injury, Tony creates a specialized armored suit powered by an arc reactor, which keeps him alive. Egotistical but good-hearted, Tony utilizes his super intellect and inventions to fight to protect humanity from various threats, eventually becoming a founding member of the Avengers. In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was kicked off with the film Iron Man, which starred Robert Downey Jr. as the superhero.
