James Rhodes

Few supporting characters in Marvel history have grown into such a powerhouse presence as James Rhodes, who first strode onto the scene in Iron Man #129 back in 1979, brought to life by the creative team of David Michelinie, Jim Shooter, and Sal Buscema during the rich Bronze Age of comics. Over nearly five decades — a remarkable 47-year span stretching from 1979 all the way to 2026 — Rhodey has evolved from a compelling co-star into a headliner in his own right, anchoring titles like Iron Man, War Machine, and U.S. War Machine with undeniable staying power. With two key collector issues to his name and over a hundred catalogued appearances, he's the kind of character whose history rewards deep diving, sharing the page across his career with titans like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. If you're building out your Marvel knowledge, James Rhodes is absolutely essential reading.