In the pages of an obscure 1984 miniseries readers were introduced to an Iron Man from the year 2020. Although, the man inside the armour wasn’t Tony Stark. Instead, it was Arno Stark, a relative of Tony’s who inherited the armour and uses it for personal gain.
When Marvel introduced Arno Stark in the present day a few years back, readers were curious to see if we would ever get to see how he would become Iron Man. Now that we are in the year 2020, we finally get to see it in Marvel’s first event for the year Iron Man 2020.
With all the tie-ins, comic book events like this can be confusing to read – but don’t stress. The Iron Man 2020 Reading Order Guide is here to save the day. It includes the recommended reading order, background reading, release dates, and much more. Soon you’ll be able to read this high-tech story with no issues at all!
Do I Need To Read All Tie-Ins?
While the main story is told in Iron Man 2020, there are also a bunch of tie-ins to this event. These tell stories that run parallel to Iron Man 2020 and show events of other characters. As a result, they’re a great way to expand the story if you’re enjoying.
They’re not essential to read in order to understand the main story so it’s up to you to decide which ones you want to read. Chose the tie-ins that appeal to you the most whether it be the creators, characters, or situations involved.
Background Reading
Machine Man (1984 series) #1-4 (aka Machine Man 2020)
Written by Tom DeFalco. Art by Herb Trimpe and Barry Windsor-Smith.
This 1984 series is where the seeds of this story begin, with the Iron Man of the year 2020 introduced when he visited the present. It’s worth noting that this Iron Man is not Tony Stark, but Arno Stark.
Kieron Gillen’s Iron Man Run
In a slightly convoluted manner, Keiron Gillen introduces Arno Stark, Tony’s long lost brother, into the present-day continuity.
The issues you will want to read are Iron Man (2012 series) #1-28. These have been collected in the following trade paperback collections:
- Iron Man Volume 1: Believe
- Iron Man Volume 2: The Secret Origin of Tony Stark Book One
- Iron Man Volume 3: The Secret Origin of Tony Stark Book Two
- Iron Man Volume 4: Iron Metropolitan
- Iron Man Volume 5: Rings of the Mandarin
Leading Into Iron Man 2020
The Ultron Agenda
Written by Dan Slott and Jim Zub. Art by Valerio Schiti.
The Ultron Agenda is the story arc which leads directly up to Iron Man 2020. If you’re looking to read how Iron Man 2020 is set up then read Tony Stark: Iron Man #16-19.
Don’t stress if you haven’t read it as Marvel will give you call of the information you need to know in Iron Man 2020 #1.
Iron Man 2020 Reading Order
Iron Man 2020 #1 (of 6)
Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage. Art by Pete Woods.
Available January 15th.
Iron Man 2020 #2 (of 6)
Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage. Art by Pete Woods.
Available February 12th.
2020: Machine Man #1 (of 2) (Tie-In)
Written by Christos Gage and Tom DeFalco. Art by Andy MacDonald and others.
Available February 19th.
2020: Force Works #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Juanan Ramirez.
Available February 26th.
2020: Rescue #1 (of 2) (Tie-in)
Written by Dana Schwartz. Art by Jacen Burrows.
Available March 4th.
Iron Man 2020 #3 (of 6)
Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage. Art by Pete Woods.
Available March 4th.
2020: Iron Age #1 (One-shot) (Tie-in)
Written by Tom DeFalco, Christopher Cantwell, and Fonda Lee. Art by Nick Roche, Matt Horak, and Damien Couceiro.
Available March 18th.
2020: Machine Man #2 (of 2) (Tie-In)
Written by Christos Gage and Tom DeFalco. Art by Andy MacDonald and others.
Available March 18th.
2020: Force Works #2 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Juanan Ramirez.
Available March 25th.
2020: Ironheart #1 (of 2) (Tie-in)
Written by Vita Ayala and Danny Lore. Art by David Messina.
Available May 20th.
Note: 2020: Ironheart #1 and #2 will be released digital-first and later in trade paperback.
2020: Force Works #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Juanan Ramirez.
Available June 3rd.
Note: 2020: Force Works #3 will be released digital-first and later in trade paperback.
2020: Ironheart #2 (of 2) (Tie-in)
Written by Vita Ayala and Danny Lore. Art by David Messina.
Available June 17th.
Iron Man 2020 #4 (of 6)
Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage. Art by Pete Woods.
Available June 24th.
2020: Rescue #2 (of 2) (Tie-in)
Written by Dana Schwartz. Art by Jacen Burrows.
Available June 24th.
iWolverine #1 (of 2) (Tie-in)
Written by Larry Hama. Art by Roland Boschi.
Available July 15th.
Note: iWolverine was first announced as 2020: Weapon.EXE in early announcements.
Iron Man 2020 #5 (of 6)
Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage. Art by Pete Woods.
Available July 29th.
iWolverine #2 (of 2) (Tie-in)
Written by Larry Hama. Art by Roland Boschi.
Available August 26th.
Iron Man 2020 #6 (of 6)
Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage. Art by Pete Woods.
Available August 26th.
Collected Editions
Prefer to read in trade paperback? These are the collections you will need to track down.
Iron Man 2020: Robot Revolution
Collects: Iron Man 2020 #1-6.
Iron Man 2020: Robot Revolution – Force Works
Collects: Force Works 2020 #1-3, Machine Man 2020 #1-2, and Iron Age 2020 #1.
Iron Man 2020: Robot Revolution – iWolverine
Collects: Rescue 2020 #1-2, Ironheart 2020 #1-2, and iWolverine 2020 #1-2.
Have Your Say!
Will you be reading Iron Man 2020? Have you found this reading order helpful? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
2020: Rescue #1 (of 2) The intro of this issue mentions the events of Iron Man 2020 #3 (of 6). I would think you should read issue 3 first.