They say that all good things must come to an end. Opinion is split as to whether the marriage of Emma Frost and Tony Stark qualifies as “a good thing.” However, Invincible Iron Man #20 makes it clear that both heroes value one another, even as they end their marriage.
Written by Gerry Duggan with art by Andrea Di Vito, Invincible Iron Man #20 focuses on Tony Stark in the aftermath of Orchis’ defeat. Tony and Emma Frost originally got married so the White Queen could hide in plain sight from the anti-Mutant organization. However, something grew between the two heroes as they pretended to be a couple.
Ever the ice queen, Emma Frost hides her feelings regarding the marriage. She does acknowledge Tony as “the lone bright spot” during the darkest time of her life. However, Emma says she needs some time alone to process all that has happened. She walks out on Tony’s effort to convince her to stay, her tears hidden behind designer sunglasses.
Love not enough to save Iron Man’s marriage
Any doubt that the White Queen and Iron Man love each other is eliminated by the issue’s end. Emma Frost gives Tony a check for several billion dollars, restoring the fortune he lost fighting Orchis. He presumed this was the scavenged treasury of the now-defunct Hellfire Club. It turned out to be that, plus the end result of Emma robbing multiple supervillains in the biggest act of insider trading ever.
Tony, for his part, was less dramatic but no less heartfelt in showing his feelings. At Emma’s request, he personally constructed a memorial for “those who paid the ultimate price to fight fascism.” He also surprised her with a recovered scrapbook, which Emma Frost had presumed lost on Krakoa. Their marriage may have started out as a sham, but it is clear the two heroes truly came to love each other.
Invincible Iron Man #20 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
