Episode 6 of Marvel's What If...? has significant implications for Tony Stark's motivations throughout the entire MCU, essentially retconning his reason for becoming Iron Man. The show, which imagines an alternative scenario in which Stark is rescued by Killmonger, includes several different possible paths for MCU stalwarts. However, Stark's fate not only has serious implications for the episode's alternate reality, but also reveals something crucial about his character.
The episode opens with the attack on Tony Stark first documented in the original Iron Man movie. In this scenario, however, Stark evades capture by the 10 Rings organization thanks to the intervention of Eric Killmonger. Over the course of the episode, Killmonger is revealed to be using Stark's friendship as a way to manufacture his return to Wakanda, even going so far as to murder the inventor in his own home. Eventually, Killmonger succeeds in getting back to his homeland, becoming a new Black Panther.
Perhaps the most notable thing about the episode is the revelation that, without his apprehension by the 10 Rings, Stark would never have found the motivation to become Iron Man. At first, this might seem like it makes sense, since it was only as a result of his incarceration that he created the first Iron Man armor and fought his way to freedom. However, the truth is that Stark's continued pursuit of a hedonistic lifestyle, even after a near-death experience shows that, beneath his apparent heroism, there is a much darker motive at play – revenge.
In the original Iron Man film, the audience is led to believe that, after witnessing the destruction caused by Stark Industries weapons, Stark undergoes a change of personality and changes his ways. What If...?, however, reveals that this isn't the most significant factor at play. In the opening scene, Stark still witnesses the damage caused by his weapons, yet doesn't feel the need to develop a heroic alter ego. This suggests that it's only the torment he suffers at the hands of the 10 Rings that provides his biggest motivation, implicitly suggesting that, despite his heroism and often praiseworthy intentions, he is ultimately fuelled by anger.
Hints around this element of Stark's personality can be seen scattered throughout the MCU. For instance, his propensity towards rage after discovering the murder of his parents by Bucky Barnes during Captain America: Civil War is a clear indication of his character. Similarly, during the first Avengers movie, Stark explicitly tells Loki that he will "avenge" the earth if his plan succeeds, again suggesting violent, vengeful action.
Even within the What If...? episode itself, Stark's disposition towards revenge is on full display. Upon his return from Killmonger's rescue mission, Stark explains how his experience has made him even more determined to build bigger weapons and increase America's firepower. This again suggests that it was only necessary that caused him to create the Iron Man armor – the one constant remains his burning capacity retribution. Tony Stark is still undoubtedly an emblematic figure in the MCU. However, What If...? episode 6 provides a stern reminder that he, just like everyone else, is far from perfect.
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