Iron Man's Big Criticism of Reed Richards Shows Why Earth Needs them Both

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Being one of the smartest people in the Marvel Universe comes with a heavy toll, as Iron Man's biggest criticism of Reed Richards showed the hero's two different approaches when it comes to hope. In Avengers #44 by Marvel Comics, Captain America confronts Tony Stark about knowing of the Earth's pending destruction and not saying anything. The armored hero calls out Reed, revealing he was smart enough to know that the end was near himself, but hope blinded him. The moment shows why both heroes are needed despite their often at-odds philosophies.

In the comics, Iron Man and Reed Richards running into conflict isn't anything new, as the Marvel heroes have butted heads as their egos and intellect collided on numerous occasions. Both heroes often mean well but can let innovation and technological advancements stand in the way of humanity. However, one of the pair's biggest clashes came when the Earth was on the verge of being destroyed. Tony Stark's biggest criticism of Mr. Fantastic showed why Earth needs both genius-level characters because they approached the world-ending situation.

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Before the events of Secret Wars, Iron Man and the Illuminati were faced with the impossible decision of destroying parallel Earths as a terminal incursion event was about to take out their own world. In Avengers #44 by Jonathan Hickman, Kev Walker, and Stefano Casello from Marvel Comics, during the final confrontation between Tony Stark and Captain America, Steve Rogers deduces that his fellow hero lied to him when he said there was a chance of stopping the incursion. As Rogers tries to get Stark to admit he lied, Iron Man criticizes Reed Richards, saying that the