Stark Industries, later also known as Stark International, Stark Innovations, Stark Enterprises and Stark Resilient, is a fictional multi-national conglomerate appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Frans Robert Bernstein, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby, the company first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 (April 1962).[1] Stark Industries is depicted as being owned and run by businessman and namesake Tony Stark, who is also known as Iron Man, and was founded by Tony's father, Howard Stark, from whom he inherited the company.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stark Industries has a logo modeled after the defense contractor Lockheed Martin[2] and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as SIA. During the press conference scene, Stark is seen entering a building that resembles the entrance to Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works facility. An airplane similar to the Lockheed YF-22 stood as a statue in front of the Stark Industries facility, much like the prototypes on display at the Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California.
Stark Industries was founded in 1939 by Howard Stark, and then headed by his son Tony after Howard's death. Over the years, through bankruptcy, Tony's "death", Tony's return and hostile takeovers, the company has gone through many name changes including Stark International[4] (later Stane International[5]), Stark Enterprises,[6][7]Stark/Fujikawa[8] and Stark Solutions.[9]
Stark Industries
Functions
Stark Industries is primarily a defense company that develops and manufactures advanced weapons and military technologies. The company manufactures the armor worn by Iron Man and War Machine. It builds the helicarriers used by S.H.I.E.L.D, and it produces the Quinjets used by the Avengers
Harmon Furmintz – Member of Stark Industries' biochemical division.[12] He worked for Genetech and was born around 1918. He was a child prodigy and was recruited as candidate for Super Soldier Project, but was rejected due to having hemophilia. He attempted to gain the power of Terrax, but his body and mind were destroyed by Shafear and reformed into duplicate of his own.[13]
Project: Caribbean (staff unknown)[19] – Stark Industries made an effort to start a plant in Haiti, however it was destroyed by Night Phantom.
Stark International
Originally Stark Industries, the name was changed when the company ceased manufacturing munitions, with Tony handing over the CEO position to Pepper Potts. Eventually, the company was taken over by Obadiah Stane after a hostile takeover and he renamed it Stane International.
Yvette Avril[21] – Worked for the French branch of Stark International and was brought to the US to become vice president of the Long Island facility. She unsuccessfully attempted to save the company when Tony Stark went on a major drinking binge and quit after takeover by Obadiah Stane.
Morley Erwin[22] – Owned Circuits Maximus as well as working Stark International. He is the brother of Clytemnestra Erwin. He also assisted Jim Rhodes in learning to use the Iron Man armor, helped form Circuits Maximus, killed when Obadiah Stane had the Circuits Maximus building bombed[23]
Abe Klein – Director of Engineering.[24] – Tony Stark's old electrical engineering professor. Killed by Mordecai Midas.[25]
Kristine "Krissy" Longfellow – Secretary.[27] She posed as Tony Stark's secretary to be close to him without involving him with a criminal.
Harold Marks (Techno-Killer) – A research technician.[28] He left to work for author James Spencer; built an armor to gain respect and vengeance from perceived lack of appreciation
Vincent "Vic" Martinelli – A security guard.[29] He was a former soldier and architect who worked for Williams Innovations before working at Stark International. He remained with Obadiah Stane after his hostile takeover due to difficulty in finding a new job.
Artemus "Artie" Pithins – Director of Public Relations.[30] He is currently a White House Press Secretary. Quit Stark International after Obadiah Stane took over.
Cherry Wood – A scientist.[29] She studied Doctor Octopus' Adamantium arms and dated Stark. She was taken hostage by Doctor Octopus.
Stane International
After driving Tony Stark back to alcoholism, Obadiah Stane wrested control of Stark International from James Rhodes after a hostile takeover and renamed the company after himself. Stane renewed the munitions manufacturing. However, after Stane was killed, the company was run by a mysterious cartel which was eventually bought out and reabsorbed by Stark Enterprises.
James Rhodes – Former CEO (when Stark was in suspended animation following his first "death"; quit upon Stark's revival); former pilot
Rothvichet Poch[37] – Former lawyer, vice-president and CEO. Alvarez defended Tony Stark in the trial of Kathy Dare.
Bambi Arbogast[6] - receptionist and former member of the US Department of Defense. "Tony stark was able to build this in a cave, with a box of scraps!"
Veronica Benning/Victoria Michelle[38] – Tony Stark's physiotherapist.
Chester "Chet" Harrigan[40] – Former chauffeur to Tony Stark.
Bert Hindel[43] – Former lawyer of Stark Enterprises. He was fired after he failed to clear up the Government civil suits brought on during the Armor Wars storyline. He also unsuccessfully defended Kathy Dare.
Dr. Cal Oakley[46] – Former employee of Cordco. Oakley assisted in rebuilding Tony Stark's nervous system following his being shot by Kathy Dare.
Marcia Jessica "Marcy" Pearson[6] – Former Director of Public Relations and later vice-president. Rhodes fired her when she resented his being named Stark's successor as CEO.
Roderick Withers[49] – Director of Public Relations
Abraham Paul "Abe" Zimmer[43] – Research director and former member of the board of directors at Accutech. He was killed by Calico.[50]
Subsidiaries
Accutech[43] – Research and Development company, based in California, that was bought out as a subsidiary.[43] The company produced and designed a Beta Particle Generator which was sabotaged by the Ghost. Known staff members include Gilbert O’Connor and Abe Zimmer.
Barstow Electronics[51]> – Subsidiary of Stark Enterprises based in California. It employed Carl Walker after Force's faked death.
Cordco[46] – Bought out by Stark Enterprises to force Dr. Cal Oakley to implant a biochip in Tony Stark's spine after he was shot by Kathy Dare. Known staff members include Addison Drexel, Edwin Cord, Dr. Cal Oakley, and Basil Sandhurst.
Stane International[52] – It was reacquired by Stark from Justin Hammer, who owned SI following Obidiah Stane's death. The company reproduced Stark's original Guardsman armor for use at the Vault. Much of Stane's operations involved disreputable business practices, leading Stark to initiate a major clean-up effort after reacquiring the company.[53]
Hot Cup Coffee – Created by Stark using the pseudonym "The Boss".
Stark/Fujikawa
Created by a merger of Stark Enterprises and Fujikawa Industries following the apparent death of Iron Man/Anthony Stark.
Staff
Kenjiro Fujikawa – CEO,[54] founder of Fujikawa Industries, father of Rumiko
Rumiko Fujikawa[54] – Daughter of Kenjiro. She was a skilled businesswoman. Played the role of party-girl to annoy her parents. She was slain by an Iron Man impostor named Clarence Ward.[55]
Morgan Stark[9] – Cousin of Tony Stark. Became general manager of Stark-Fujikawa after Tony's "death".
Subsidiaries
Fujikawa Industries[56] – The previous version of this company helped form Stark-Fujikawa. A Japanese firm which took over Stark Enterprises following the apparent death of Tony Stark. Known employees include Tso Fwon, Yu Kurin, Tobi Kanigawa and Wilson Fisk.
Oracle Incorporated[57] – Formed by Namor, the company was sold to Stark-Fujikawa. Formerly served as the headquarters of Heroes for Hire. After Tony's "death", Bambi Arbogast seconded here. Known employees include Caleb Alexander (who was killed), Carrie Alexander, Allison Grain, Jim Hammond (Human Torch), Robert Losey, Kent Maitland, Phoebe Marrs, Leon McKenzie, Namor McKenzie (former CEO), Rihanna O'Connor, Dr. Anita Savvy, Dr. Richard Savvy, Bambi Arbogast, Josef Went and James "Jimbob" Roberts.
Parallel Conglomerate[58] – Subsidiary of Oracle Inc. (which would make it a subsidiary of Stark-Fujikawa). Known employees are Captain Holten Gamble (who was killed on board an oil tanker owned by Parallel Conglomerate)[59] and Oliver Russell.
Rand-Meachum – A company formed by Harold Meachum and Wendell Rand,[60] became a subsidiary of Stark-Fujikawa. Known employees include Daniel Rand (Iron Fist), Wendell Rand-K'ai, Leon McKenzie, Harold Meachum, Ward Meachum, Joy Meachum, Jason Quartermaster, Peregrin Took, Martina Tereshkova and Dr. Ilya Faro
Stark Solutions
The fifth company was run/owned by Tony Stark and was founded after his return from another dimension. It was shut down by Tony after he was defamed by Tiberius Stone who was subliminally influencing him.
The sixth company owned/run by/founded by Tony Stark and was set up after the closure of Stark Solutions. After the events of "The Five Nightmares" and "World Most Wanted" story arcs, Stark Industries went bankrupt and eventually closed down. It was also known as Stark International, both names formerly used in previous incarnations of the company. Its logo being the same as the S.I. Logo in the Iron Man film series.
Jack Rutledge[67] – He was involved in the development of a Gamma Radiation Neutralizing Armor. He was later killed by Richard Cummings for covering up the death of Lisa Cummings.[68]
Ryan Zimm[62] – One of the Security Department heads.
Svengoto Eriksson[9] – Following closure of Stark Solution, he has been given principal data by Tony Stark and then individually reinvented the AI "Jarvis" and armoury of Iron Man suit. During the establishment of Stark Industries, he gave the research result to Tony. Tony admired him and said that the new suit is like giving Tony a "Regent".
In 2011, Forbes ranked Stark Industries 16th in their "25 Largest Fictional Companies" list.[71]
In 2016, Time ranked Stark Industries 3rd in their "18 Most Influential Fake Companies of All Time" list.[72]
In 2018, Sideshow ranked Stark Industries 1st in their "Top 10 Superhero Corporations" list.[73]
In 2019, CBR.com ranked Stark Industries 8th in their "Top 10 Fictional Marvel Companies" list.[74]
Other versions
Amalgam Comics
In the world of Amalgam Comics, the company is known as Stark Aircraft (itself a merger between Stark Industries and Ferris Aircraft). The only known employees are Janice Doremus, Pepper Ferris, Happy Kalmaku, Stewart Rhodes, Hal Stark.[75]
Marvel 2099
In Marvel 2099 (an alternate future reality set in the year 2099), Stark-Fujikawa is a major corporate power, alongside Alchemax and Roxxon. The only known staff members are Hikaru-Sama and Shudo.[76]
During the "Secret Wars" storyline, a version of Stark-Fujikawa is seen in the Battleworld domain of 2099.[77]
MC2
In the alternate future reality of MC2, the company is known as Stark Global Industries and is owned and run by Tony Stark.[78]
Stark Global Solutions Headquarters also appears as a separate company operated in Singapore owned by Tony Stark's older brother Dr. Gregory Stark.[81]
Ultimate Universe
In Earth-6160, a world preceded by alternate history due to the interference of the Maker, the company is known as Stark/Stane, jointly led by business partners Howard Stark and Obadiah Stane. It's one of the main corporations of the technocratic North American Union, a regional power bloc which includes the former United States' territories after its central government dissolved in 1969. It was regarded as essentially running the Union since the private sector superseded the old political order.[82]
After Stane is killed in Latveria and Stark disappears into the city, the Maker's Council takes advantage of the resulting power vacuum and frames Tony Stark as a terrorist due to his opposition to the group, using a Stark/Stane satellite to conduct a false flag attack on Stark Tower, causing thousands of casualties in the Manhattan area.[83] After Wilson Fisk is appointed as Shadow Governor of the New York territory, he asks Oscorp's new CEO, Harry Osborn, to help take care of the company's assets, as they became a matter of political intrigue in the Union. Weeks later, Osborn creates the Green Goblin armor using Stark technology, with the help of Otto Octavius.[84] Some Stark assets end up in the hands of wealthy buyers, with the billionaire Midas taking Howard Stark's first Iron Man armor.[85]
What If?
In a What If story, the company is known as Stark Interplanetary and was the creators of the Irondroids[86]
In other media
Television
Stark Industries was featured in the 1990s Iron Man TV series. In this show, Julia Carpenter (the second Spider-Woman) is also depicted as the head of Stark Industries' Research and Development.
Stark Enterprises appears in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. In the episodes "Venom Returns" and "Carnage", after Tony Stark invented an inter-dimensional portal device, the demonstration was interrupted when Spider-Man attempted to stop Venom and Carnage from stealing the device for Baron Mordo, to release Dormammu from his dimension.
A Stark Enterprises building can be seen in the X-Men: Evolution episode "On Angels' Wings".
Stark International is featured in Iron Man: Armored Adventures. After Howard Stark was abducted by the Mandrarin in a plane crash and presumed dead, Obadiah Stane becomes the CEO of Stark Industries. In "Cold War," it is revealed that Blizzard used to work for Stark Industries until an accident caused by Obadiah Stane left him "deformed and destroyed." In "Designed Only for Chaos," Roberta Rhodes revealed to Tony that Stark Industries used to make weapons until Howard Stark stopped their production when Tony was born. In "Heavy Mettle," Obadiah Stane ends up fired by the chairman of the board after Tony Stark and Roberta Rhodes show the board of directors the footage of Obadiah Stane making a deal with Ghost is shown. In "Hostile Takeover," Justin Hammer ends up buying Stark International and sends Sasha to tell Tony Stark that he will no longer inherit the company when he reaches 18. After the fight with Titanium Man, Whiplash, Killer Shrike, and Unicorn, Tony Stark along with Rhodey and Pepper create a company called Stark Solutions. In "The Hammer Falls," Howard Stark returns and manages to reclaim Stark International after Justin Hammer (when soon buy the secret lair of Stark and secret Stark Solutions) is exposed and defeated by Mr. Fix.
The logo of Stark Industries appears in WandaVision (2021). In the episode, "On a Very Special Episode...", S.W.O.R.D. uses a Stark Industries drone to target Wanda Maximoff, but she depowers it and gives back to them. In the episodes, "All-New Halloween Spooktacular!" and "Previously On", the drone is used to reactivate Vision. In a flashback in the episode, "Previously On", a Stark Industries mortar shell collapses the apartment building of Maximoff family, killing her parents. The shell fails to detonate after Maximoff uses a probability hex.
Stark Industries is mentioned in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021) episode "New World Order". A bank teller asks Sam Wilson if Stark Industries provides financial support for him and the other Avengers, in which Wilson reveals it does not.
A Stark Industries billboard appears in the X-Men '97 episode "Bright Eyes" when the X-Men went on Madripoor.
Film
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stark Industries is headed by Tony Stark and has a significant influence in both the films and television series.
In Iron Man, Stark Industries is featured with a logo similar to those of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, and touted as developing many of the same weapons systems that Lockheed Martin is/was responsible for developing, such as the F-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon. After Tony's father Howard died, Obadiah Stane became the CEO and later abdicated when Tony was old enough to run it. After Stark comes back from Afghanistan, he announces that he is closing the weapons division of the company. After Stane confronts Stark about what percentage the company's stocks might fall both guess about forty percent. In the next scene Jim Cramer is seen on CNBC with a NYSE ticker tape at the bottom of the screen reading Stark Industries at 82.25 per share down by 56.50, a drop of about 40.7%.
In The Incredible Hulk, Stark Industries logo flashes on the screen during the opening credit sequence when General Ross request to the company the Sonic Cannon that the army use against the Hulk later in the film and it is also on the Cyrosync container containing the Super Soldier Serum.
In Iron Man 2,[87]Virginia "Pepper" Potts became the CEO of the Stark Industries. A version of Stark-Fujikawa appears.[88] Stark Industries, for the first time since 1974, hosted the renowned Stark Expo in Flushing Meadows.[89] As a promotion for the film, at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, Stark Industries recruiters handed out business cards with an invitation to apply for a job at Stark Industries by visiting StarkIndustriesNow.com.[90][91]
In Captain America: The First Avenger,[92] during World War II, a young Howard Stark assists the Strategic Scientific Reserve in their Super Soldier program, and provides key assistance to Steve Rogers and Agent Peggy Carter. The Stark Industries logo is modified to fit in with the 1940s time period.
In The Avengers, Tony Stark opens the Stark Tower in New York City. After the Chitauri invasion, almost all the lettering forming the word 'STARK' on the side of the tower falls off, leaving only the 'A' - mirroring the logo of the Avengers that would replace the lettering later on.
In Iron Man 3, Pepper is once again CEO of Stark Industries and Happy Hogan is the head of security. Happy calls out to an off-camera secretary named Bambi in reference to Bambi Arbogast.[93]
In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Sam Wilson's winged flight gear is stated to have been designed by Stark Industries,[94] as well as the redesigned Helicarriers' propulsion systems. When Hydra is revealed to be in control of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the new Helicarriers under Project Insight begin targeting millions, Tony Stark is one of their targets while inside the Avengers Tower. After S.H.I.E.L.D. is dissolved, Maria Hill is seen applying for a position at the Human Resources department of Stark Industries.
The logo of Stark Industries appears in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), on the company's satellite outside of Earth's atmosphere. Additionally, the company is mentioned by Wanda Maximoff and her brother, Pietro Maximoff, who recall that their parents were killed by Stark Industries-manufactured mortar shells.
In Ant-Man, it is revealed that the Avengers Compound is a former Stark Industries warehouse.
In Captain America: Civil War (2016), Stark makes a presentation at MIT to promote a Stark Industries program called the "September Foundation" to fund ideas for gifted and talented students. He later uses this program to lure Peter Parker to join the Avengers.
An alternate Stark Industries appears in Avengers: Endgame (2019). In an alternate 2012, the logo of Stark Industries is seen at Stark Tower.
In Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), a check written by Stark Industries is given to the Salvation Army to help with Blip-displaced people. Also, a group of disgruntled former Stark Industries employees led by Quentin Beck create a fabricated superhero named Mysterio using Stark Industries drones and Beck's own BioAugmented Retrofitted Technology. The company's satellite appears.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Stark Industries Headquarters is investigated by Damage Control, after it is reported that a federal investigation into stolen Stark Industries technology is underway due to the drones usage. Also, a Stark Industries fabricator is seen inside Hogan's condominium.
A billboard in Spider-Man on the level "Race to the Bugle" features a Stark Solutions logo and the slogan "Consulting in the Future." It was shown on the building just before the Daily Bugle building. A Stark Enterprise building can be seen in the level where Spider-Man chases Venom through New York City.
Stark Industries appears in The Punisher video game. The Eternal Sun group raid the company to steal the Iron Man armors.
In Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions, the 2099 universe makes repeated mention of Stark-Fujikawa on signs and over intercom announcements.
In Spider-Man: Edge of Time, Stark-Fujikawa is mentioned by Walter Sloan as a competitor to Alchemax.
In Fortnite during Chapter 2: Season 4, Stark Industries was a mythic location on the map where players could receive items by eliminating Stark-Bots and Iron Man.
