Warning! This review contains SPOILERS for Ironheart season 1, episodes 1-3.I’m enjoyingIronheartso far. TheMarvel Cinematic Universe’s latest series focuses on one of the franchise’s new characters, who was introduced in the Multiverse Saga, Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams. While I liked what I saw of Riri in2022’sBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, I was not necessarily cheering for an Ironheart series to be made. But after the show’s first batch of episodes, I feel confident that Marvel truly found a story worth telling, and it showcases just how exciting Riri can be.
WithRobert Downey Jr. now back in the MCU, albeit as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man, the next few years should be big on Tony Stark influences. While the actor is not in the show — at least in the first three episodes that have been released — Iron Man’s presence can be felt throughout. Riri might not be directly connected to Stark like in the comics, but they are through their work. In a lot of ways, she is just like him, and I love howIronheartmakes Riri Williams Iron Man’s fitting MCU replacement.
Iron Man’s MCU Replacement Enters The World Of Crime
Episode 1 Ends With A Shocking Reveal
Ironheartepisode one might not be the show’s best, but it is a solid introduction to the series, with a deeper dive into Riri Williams' world. From the start, there are already many connections and references to the larger MCU, which I appreciate, and we see that Riri is on a mission to “continue Mr. Stark’s legacy and revolutionize safety.” I love how there is a push and pull as to how successful she is at being a good steward of Iron Man’s legacy or not, which continues throughout the first three episodes.
Parker Robbins is charismatic, and he convinces her to work for him in exchange for the money for her suits, which will, of course, inevitably backfire.
Being expelled from MIT leads Riri back home to Chicago, and we discover her supporting cast and more details about her tragic past. The main event is her connection to Anthony Ramos' villain, Parker Robbins (aka, The Hood). The character does not seem so villainous in his debut, even though he traps Riri in an elevator in what feels like something straight out of aSawmovie. Parker is charismatic, and he convinces her to work for him in exchange for money for her suits, which will, of course, inevitably backfire.
The world of superheroes is often black and white, and while I love some of the characters who operate in that dynamic, I’m also quite interested in morally gray characters. Riri Williams must find her path to being a hero, and before she can do that, she’ll descend into the criminal world. It is honestly not what I would have expected for Iron Man’s MCU replacement, but it is an exciting story setup. In the first three episodes, the CGI on the Ironheart suit is fantastic, and the final reveal of AI Natalie, a version of Riri’s dead sister, changes the show.
Alden Ehrenreich’s MCU Debut Is Perfect
Episode 2 Sees Riri Find A New & Old Friend
I’ve been a fan of Alden Ehrenreich for quite some time, so seeing him make his MCU debut was a treat.Ironheartepisode 2 sees the actor give life to Joe McGillicuddy, a seemingly average “Joe” — pun intended — who hides quite the genius-level intellect. I loved how much chemistry Joe and Riri displayed in this episode, becoming fast friends even though their dynamic started with her blackmailing him for parts to put her Ironheart armor back together. Despite his black market connections, Joe wants to help people with tech instead of focusing on weaponry.
That relationship very much starts to feel like the heart of the series.
I like how the character adds a nice counterpoint to Riri. Ironheart is doing whatever it takes to get the money she needs to build the best suit of armor she can, and that includes shady jobs with the Hood, while Joe notes just how dangerous tech can be and how some things are just not right. Besides their dynamic, episode 2 shows just how exciting Natalie’s expanded role is, with the AI slowly befriending Riri and learning more about the real Natalie. That relationship very much starts to feel like the heart of the series.
Ironheart Makes A Major Decision That Questions Her Superhero Status
Joe’s Secret Identity Makes For An Exciting Twist
Ironheartepisode 3 is the big one out of the first half of the season. One of the episode’s major moments is the reveal of Joe’s secret identity. I already had my suspicions back in episode 2 when he talked about his dad and how he felt close to him when he was connected to technology. Those suspicions were confirmed when it was revealed that Joe is not the real name of Ehrenreich’s character, who is actuallyEzekiel “Zeke” Stane, son of Obadiah Stane, the MCU’s first villain, who fought Tony Stark in 2008’sIron Man.
Jeff Bridges gave life to Obadiah Stane inIron Man.
Despite his dad’s past, Zeke is nothing like him, which makes him even more interesting. Episode 3 features the biggest heist the Hood’s crew has gone on so far. I felt Riri was right to try and get a piece of the Hood to understand Parker’s powers, as she could always end up dead like Stuart/Rampage, and Ramos' character had given her plenty of reason to fear him. That said, she should have been more careful. Joe made it perfectly clear to her that if he was going to help her, it could not be traced back to him.
Well, Riri left his bio-mesh behind, which means Joe’s life could change for the worse soon, and I’m afraid of what that could mean. That said, the episode’s most shocking moment is whenRiri lets John, the Hood’s cousin, suffocate to death at Heirlum, so he does not alert Parker that she turned on them. It is quite a choice and not something a hero would typically do. It’ll probably backfire, as the Hood’s lord, whoever that might be, shows him the shadow of Ironheart’s suit in connection to John’s death. Things are about to heat up.
Ironheart’s first three episodes are now streaming on Disney+, with the final three episodes releasing on Tuesday, July 1st at 9 PM ET.
