Iron Man: Armor Wars Omnibus

Background. 'Armor Wars' (originally titled 'Stark Wars') ran through Iron Man #225–232 in 1987–88 and immediately established itself as a defining moment for the character. The premise — Tony Stark learns that spy Justin Hammer has been selling stolen Stark tech to villains and rogue governments — forces him into a unilateral military campaign that alienates his allies and raises genuine questions about corporate responsibility and technological hubris.

What's inside. The complete Armor Wars arc by Michelinie and Layton, including all eight core issues and related material. Tony systematically hunts down every person wearing stolen Stark technology — Stilt-Man, the Titanium Man, Controller, and most controversially, the government-sponsored hero Firepower. The arc ends with Tony faking his own death to escape legal consequences, a conclusion as morally complex as anything in mainstream Marvel at the time.

Why it's worth it. Armor Wars is required reading for any Iron Man collector — its influence on every subsequent Iron Man story, including the MCU films, is immeasurable. The omnibus format gives the arc room to breathe and includes the contextual issues that make Tony's spiral feel earned. Layton's art is at its most precise and dynamic here.

Edition details. Hardcover omnibus. US edition published by Marvel Comics. ISBN 9781302966065.