Irom man: Metal coping mechanism Article by Stafffighter, 10:46 PM 11th Aug Disclaimer: The following opinions are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the other endless crew staff. In fact they all disagree with me and persecute me regularly. Quick overview: Inventor and industrialist Tony Stark was demonstrating a new piece of gear to soldiers in the field when he was wounded and captured. He escaped death by both his shrapnel and his captors by inventing a powered armor suit. Being a man of no small vision he held onto the suit, tinkered with is as is an inventors way and most of all put it to use as the hero Iron Man. While most in the costumed adventurer business have issues about the blur between two identities Tony is unique in that Iron Man is always a part of him. The chest plate of the armor is what constantly keeps his heart wound from becoming fatal. While the other pieces can be removed at will, situation allowing, the chest plate remains and thus does Iron Man. Humankind, in some respects at least, is a remarkably adaptable animal. One of these respects is the tolerance for change in the body. Every day people adapt to lost parts, lost functions and even artificial parts. While someone could become very adept and fully functional with a wheelchair or prophetic arm they never forget they are there. The nature of adjustment is that one must have a clear view of what a situation has become and react to it accordingly. Naturally some adjust more easily than others. When one cannot adapt fully it is common for them to seek chemical comfort. The pressures of running his company and the constant reminder of his heroic responsibly drove Tony to a bout with alcoholism. The explanation here is as simple as it is tragic, he spread himself too thin and rather than actual comfort all he could find was numbing. When things are hard that can seem like enough. Life continued to be hard and Tony continued to drink to the point of dependence. He was too busy to even see the situation being too busy got him into. Eventually he came to learn through the humbling experience that he simply could not take on so much alone. It has been said in various ways that one of the truest measures of a man is the company that he keeps. Iron Man has kept esteemed company to say the very least. As one of the founding members of the Avengers he has worked alongside powers of wildly differing origins, some of witch dwarf his own. This team dynamic allowed a certain freedom that up to that point had been lacking in his life. All of the responsibility was no longer on him. He was allowed to feel like a meaningful contribution had been made without holding the entire weight of the function on his own. Being around other super types also served a much more down to earth function, it let him know he was not alone. One of the most important factors in adjustment is the acceptance of those around you. When one feels they have become something different it is vital that they feel as though they are understood and this case is no exception. This principle can go from simply not shutting someone out of activities do to their status, acting as if there is no difference in how they fit into the lives of others or the support of others who have gone through the same. The Avengers serve as a kind of support group for Tony. With them he knows that neither his wounded heart nor the devices that keep him whole make him anything less than a complete person. Disagree? Bring it up on the forum. Suggestions? E mail me. But don’t write an essay. If I use who you suggest I’ll only say what I have to say Back to Rants