Marvel’s Ironheart Introduces Two Major Villains with Ties to Iron Man and Magic

Marvel’s new Disney+ series Ironheart brings two significant villains into the spotlight – The Hood and Ezekiel Stane. Both characters present unique challenges for young genius Riri Williams as she steps into her role as a superhero. The show connects to Marvel Cinematic Universe history while introducing fresh threats.

The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos, is a supernatural gang leader with dangerous magical abilities. His powers come from a mysterious hood linked to dark forces. Ezekiel Stane, portrayed by Alden Ehrenreich, is the surprising son of Iron Man’s first villain Obadiah Stane. While different from his comic book counterpart, he brings his own brand of technological threat.

The Hood Brings Dark Magic to Chicago

Parker Robbins, known as The Hood, leads a criminal crew in Chicago that includes explosives expert Clown, hacker Slug, and the dangerous Blood Sibs. His signature red hood grants him powers that make him a formidable opponent for Ironheart. The hood allows him to turn invisible and shoot guided bullets with deadly accuracy.

“The boots allowed him to walk on air, while the cloak turned him invisible so long as he held his breath. These new gifts gave the small-time criminal the inspiration to strike bigger and more powerful targets.”
— Inverse article on The Hood’s powers

In the comics, The Hood’s powers come from the Dark Dimension, home of the powerful demon Dormammu. The series hints at a similar dark origin, with black veins spreading across Parker’s body as he uses the hood’s magic. A scene shows him speaking to an unseen presence, suggesting the hood may be corrupting him.

Ezekiel Stane: A Different Kind of Threat

Alden Ehrenreich plays Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane, who initially appears as mild-mannered tech collector Joe McGillicuddy. The big reveal comes when he admits being the son of Obadiah Stane, Tony Stark’s first enemy who became the Iron Monger. This marks the first time the MCU has officially used the “Iron Monger” name for Jeff Bridges‘ character.

“He’s actually Ezekiel Stane, the son of ‘Iron Man’ villain Obadiah ‘Iron Monger’ Stane, and has adopted a new identity because he knows about his father’s supervillain antics and wants to avoid the same path.”
— SlashFilm article on Ezekiel Stane’s reveal

Unlike his ruthless comic book version who hated Tony Stark, this Zeke Stane is surprisingly friendly. He works as a tech ethicist and recognizes his father was responsible for his own downfall. However, cracks begin to show as others take advantage of his kindness, potentially pushing him toward villainy.

Comic Book Origins vs. MCU Changes

The comic book versions of both villains differ significantly from their MCU counterparts. The Hood’s comic origin involves stealing his powers from a demon named Nisanti, with his abilities tied to Dormammu’s dark magic. Ezekiel Stane in the comics is a violent terrorist who augments his body with dangerous technology to rival Iron Man.

“In the comics, Zeke is defined by a ruthless hatred of and disdain for Tony Stark and everything he represents. He blames Tony for his father’s death, even though that death was entirely self-inflicted.”
— IGN article comparing comic and MCU versions

The MCU makes notable changes to both characters. The Hood’s background shifts from New York to Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. Ezekiel Stane becomes more sympathetic, though hints suggest he may still develop into a threat. These changes help the characters fit better into the current MCU landscape where Tony Stark is no longer present.

Villains With Future MCU Potential

Both villains appear set up for larger roles beyond Ironheart. The Hood’s connection to dark magic could tie into Doctor Strange’s world or the rumored Midnight Sons project. Ezekiel Stane’s technological expertise and family history make him a candidate to appear in future Armor Wars or other tech-focused stories.

“I would love to expand with his character, knowing that Robert Downey Jr’s coming back as Doctor Doom, and we know in the comics that those characters kind of overlap.”
— Anthony Ramos interview with The Hollywood Reporter

The series explores how these two very different villains – one magical, one technological – challenge Riri Williams in her early days as a hero. Their presence connects Ironheart to Marvel’s past while opening doors for future stories in the evolving MCU landscape.

Also Read: Ironheart on Disney+: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and What to Expect From the Marvel Series

Credits: Information gathered from IGN, Inverse, SuperheroHype, SlashFilm

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