[98 Origins]Ironheart: The new Disney+ Show June..
- David @ 98 Comics
- May 20
- 3 min read
Who Is Riri Williams?
Inspired by Tony Stark—better known as Iron Man—and determined to follow in his heroic footsteps, fifteen-year-old super-genius Riri Williams builds her advanced suit of armor and launches into a life of adventure, heroism, and innovation as the tech-powered superhero Ironheart.
From a childhood shaped by tragedy to her rise as one of Marvel’s most brilliant young heroes, Riri’s story is one of intelligence, resilience, and reinvention. She’s not just Iron Man’s legacy; she’s a unique force in her own right, carving out a bold identity defined by compassion, courage, and conviction.
As the Ironheart Disney+ miniseries prepares for launch in 2025, now is the perfect time to explore Riri’s journey and revisit the key moments that built her legend.
Girl Genius: Origins and Early Steps
Riri was raised in Chicago by her mother and stepfather following the death of her biological father, Demetrius. From the age of five, her genius-level intellect was evident, while other children played with toys, Riri built machines.
Her destiny took shape after a Skrull invasion nearly claimed her life, only for Iron Man to save her. That act of heroism planted the seeds of inspiration.
Years later, tragedy struck again when her best friend Natalie and her stepfather were killed in a drive-by shooting. The grief and anger ignited her purpose: to build something that could prevent others from suffering the same fate.
By age 15, using salvaged parts from MIT labs, Riri reverse-engineered an Iron Man suit. Recognizing her extraordinary abilities, Tony Stark, then in a coma after Civil War II, mentored her through an A.I. version of himself. Riri adopted the name Ironheart, suggested by the Stark A.I., and set out to become a new kind of hero, fighting not just with armor, but with heart.
Key Comics
Invincible Iron Man #7 (2016) (First full cameo): first appearance of Riri Williams on the Last Page.
Invincible Iron Man #9 (Full first appearance): Riri is fully named, active, and takes center stage.
Invincible Iron man #1( 2017) First Cover
Invincible Iron Man #6 ( 2017): Adoption of the title Ironheart.
These are all available to read on Marvel Unlimited :).
Going Solo: Grief, Growth, and Greatness
In Ironheart (2018–2019), Riri breaks away from Iron Man’s shadow and establishes her path in her first solo series. With her armor, adversaries, and a new A.I. named N.A.T.A.L.I.E. (honoring her late best friend), Riri navigates moral dilemmas, emotional struggles, and the pressures of heroism.
Her rogue’s gallery expands to include Animax, Rhino, Lady Octopus, and Lucia von Bardas. She battles the secretive Ten Rings and even briefly becomes the temporary ruler of Latveria testament to how high the stakes have risen.
She also joins the Champions, fights back against Hydra’s fascist regime during Secret Empire, and confronts Thanos himself, barely surviving the encounter.
Undervalued Gems:
Modern Day: 2025 Miniseries & Media Expansion
Riri made her live-action debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), portrayed by Dominique Thorne. As a brilliant MIT student who invents a vibranium detector, she quickly finds herself at the center of global conflict, an introduction that captured fans' attention and excitement.
Her story continues in the upcoming Disney+ miniseries Ironheart, releasing June 24, 2025. The show will explore Riri’s return to Chicago, where she refines her armor and faces a new kind of enemy.
What to read now:
A Hero Forged
Riri Williams stands out because she isn’t just armored brilliance; she’s vulnerability in motion. Her story is one of trauma, intellect, and conviction. From MIT dropout to global defender, her armor holds memories as much as circuitry.
As Ironheart, she confronts not only villains like Thanos but also grief, impostor syndrome, and societal injustice. She builds her own identity from the wreckage of tragedy, and with N.A.T.A.L.I.E. by her side, her future burns bright.
The new series will engage with a new audience, but let us not forget the comics' history before it.
