Later on, Rhodes would do so again when Iron Man faked his death. During one of Tony's weakest moments, he accidentally revealed his identity to Rhodes, who took his friend's place in the Iron Man armor to defeat Magma. Rhodes was there for Tony when he faced Justin Hammer and the Maggia, as well as his personal demons. While Rhodes worked for Stark International, he and Stark became devoted friends. In the meantime, Rhodes had also been working with Parnell Jacobs, until he was devastated to find out his friend was gun-running for the Santo Marco dictator. Out of the Iron Man armor, Stark offered Rhodes a job as his pilot, which he took once his tour of duty was complete. After his helicopter was shot down during a mission, he was found by Tony Stark AKA Iron Man, after the latter's own situation had gone awry. He became particularly close to fellow Marine Parnell Jacobs, who he even introduced to his childhood friend Glenda they fell in love and later married.ĭespite his military background, Rhodes hated taking lives and it took a toll on him. He served for several tours in Southeast Asia, while also studying to become an aviation engineer. Later in life, Rhodes joined the Marines. However, when he gravely injured another child in the process, Rhodes was sent to a juvenile correctional facility

Despite his hardship, he remained noble and good, even forming a close childhood bond with a girl named Glenda Sandoval and defending her from other children. While growing up in South Philadelphia, James Rhodes was frequently bullied, and he longed to forge a new life for himself by moving away. Although he initially took on the role when Stark was dealing with his demons, Rhodes has reprised the role over the years. Tony Stark's best friend, James Rhodes, is one of the few to wear the Iron Man armor, other than Tony Stark himself.

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