Stark Industries


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. 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 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.

Publication history

Stark Industries first appeared in Tales of Suspense #40, created by Robert Bernstein, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby. The company was first identified by name in issue #48.

History

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, Stark Enterprises, Stark/Fujikawa and Stark Solutions.

Stark Industries

Functions

Stark Industries is primarily a technology and defense company. It manufactures the armor worn by Iron Man and War Machine, builds the helicarriers used by S.H.I.E.L.D, and produces the Quinjets used by the Avengers.

Staff

Tony Stark – Chairman of Stark IndustriesObadiah Stane – Executive Officer Happy Hogan – Former head of Security Pepper Potts – CEO Dr. Gray Armond – Head Designer.Harmon Furmintz – Member of Stark Industries' biochemical division. 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.Jacob Fury (Scorpio) – Former research scientist.Sally McIntyreEddie March – Former part of the Iron Legion.Kevin O'BryanRalph RobertsAnton Vanko (Crimson Dynamo) — Former Head Scientist and Chief Developer Arwyn Zurrow – Head of the Miami facilities.

Subsidiaries

Project: Caribbean – 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.

Staff

Tony Stark – Original HeadJames Rupert Rhodes – Pilot, later Acting CEOBambi Arbogast – An executive assistant.Yvette Avril – 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.Bethany Cabe – Dianne Carruthers – Morley Erwin – 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 bombedAbe Klein – Director of Engineering. – Tony Stark's old electrical engineering professor. Killed by Mordecai Midas.Scott Lang (Ant-Man)Kristine "Krissy" Longfellow – Secretary. She posed as Tony Stark's secretary to be close to him without involving him with a criminal.Harold Marks – A research technician. He left to work for author James Spencer; built an armor to gain respect and vengeance from perceived lack of appreciationVincent "Vic" Martinelli – A security guard. 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. He is currently a White House Press Secretary. Quit Stark International after Obadiah Stane took over.Erica Sondheim – Medical Director.Carl Walker – Cherry Wood – A scientist. 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.

Staff

Obadiah Stane – CEO of Stane International.Joel Arons – He was involved in a project that kidnapped Myron MacLain. He stole Captain America's proto-adamantium shieldJoseph "Joe" Faulkner – general manager.Dr. Edward "Edwin" Earl Hawkins – Designed the Mass Acquisition Unit. He aided Giant Man (Bill Foster) in battling Doctor Nemesis.Karaguchi Inoyawa – Sought to rebuild the Red Ronin for peaceful purposes.Joseph "Joe" Kilman – After being fired for unknown reasons, he sought revenge by trying to take control of Red RoninVic MartinelliMichael Craig Stockton (Dr. Nemesis) – Sought to coerce Dr. Hawkins into creating a mass acquisition warhead.

Stark Enterprises

After regaining his personal fortune following Obadiah Stane's death, Tony established a new company, Stark Enterprises, in Los Angeles.

Staff

Tony Stark – CEO and founderJames Rhodes – Former CEO ; former pilotRothvichet Poch – Former lawyer, vice-president and CEO. Alvarez defended Tony Stark in the trial of Kathy Dare.Bambi Arbogast - 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 – Tony Stark's physiotherapist.Bethany Cabe – Security Chief and former bodyguard of Tony Stark.Diane Carruthers – Lee ClaytonEd Deal – Worked on the VLS-2980 Project.Phillip Grant – Computer hacker.Chester "Chet" Harrigan – Former chauffeur to Tony Stark.Bert Hindel – 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.Happy Hogan – Heuristically Operative-Matrix-Emulation Rostrum (H.O.M.E.R.) – Nearly intelligent computer of Tony Stark.Sarah Jennings – Accounts & MarketingKylie Normandy – Dr. Cal Oakley – Former employee of Cordco. Oakley assisted in rebuilding Tony Stark's nervous system following his being shot by Kathy Dare.Marcia Jessica "Marcy" Pearson – Former Director of Public Relations and later vice-president. Rhodes fired her when she resented his being named Stark's successor as CEO.Garrison Quint – Chief of security.James Simpson – Security guard. He allowed Edgar Elliot to sabotage Tony Stark's experimental rocket.Dr. Erica Fredrika Sondheim – Medical Director and former surgeon.Wayne UnnierNick WalcekAtha Williams – SecretaryRoderick Withers – Director of Public RelationsAbraham Paul "Abe" Zimmer' – Research director and former member of the board of directors at Accutech. He was killed by Calico.

Subsidiaries

Accutech – Research and Development company, based in California, that was bought out as a subsidiary. 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> – Subsidiary of Stark Enterprises based in California. It employed Carl Walker after Force's faked death.Cordco – 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 – 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.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, founder of Fujikawa Industries, father of RumikoYu KurinTobi KanigawaRumiko Fujikawa – 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.Morgan Stark – Cousin of Tony Stark. Became general manager of Stark-Fujikawa after Tony's "death".

Subsidiaries

Fujikawa Industries – 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 – 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, Carrie Alexander, Allison Grain, Jim Hammond (Human Torch), Robert Losey, Kent Maitland, Phoebe Marrs, Leon McKenzie, Namor McKenzie, Rihanna O'Connor, Dr. Anita Savvy, Dr. Richard Savvy, Bambi Arbogast, Josef Went and James "Jimbob" Roberts.Parallel Conglomerate – Subsidiary of Oracle Inc.. Known employees are Captain Holten Gamble and Oliver Russell.Rand-Meachum – A company formed by Harold Meachum and Wendell Rand, 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.

Staff

Tony Stark – CEOHappy HoganPepper Potts
  • '''Svengoto Eriksson'''

Stark Industries/International

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.

Staff

Tony Stark – CEOJoseph Jeremy "Joe" Arnold – One of the Security Department heads.David Beaumont – One of the Security Department heads.Arturos Benning – One of the Security Department headsF.R.I.D.A.Y.Happy Hogan – Tony Stark's bodyguard. Killed saving Stark from an assassination attemptMichael "Mike" Jochum – One of the Security Department heads.Kurt Kennison – One of the Security Department heads.Takeshis Kobayashi – Head of Research & Development.Archie Merchant – One of the Security Department heads.Pepper PottsKatherine Rennie – Tony Stark's personal secretary.James Rupert Rhodes (War Machine)Jack Rutledge – 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.Ryan Zimm – One of the Security Department heads.Gallileo "Leo" BraithwaiteJan KolinsSvengoto Eriksson – 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".Martha JohnsGeoff DouglatTessa SpringfieldAnna Wei
  • Dr Dave AllenMichael Cline – SupporterHorsars Marvel – Supporter

Reception

Accolades

  • In 2011, Forbes ranked Stark Industries 16th in their "25 Largest Fictional Companies" list.
  • In 2016, Time ranked Stark Industries 3rd in their "18 Most Influential Fake Companies of All Time" list.
  • In 2018, Sideshow ranked Stark Industries 1st in their "Top 10 Superhero Corporations" list.
  • In 2019, CBR.com ranked Stark Industries 8th in their "Top 10 Fictional Marvel Companies" list.

Other versions

Amalgam Comics

In the world of Amalgam Comics, the company is known as Stark Aircraft. The only known employees are Janice Doremus, Pepper Ferris, Happy Kalmaku, Stewart Rhodes, Hal Stark.

Marvel 2099

In Marvel 2099, Stark-Fujikawa is a major corporate power, alongside Alchemax and Roxxon. The only known staff members are Hikaru-Sama and Shudo.
During the "Secret Wars" storyline, a version of Stark-Fujikawa is seen in the Battleworld domain of 2099.

MC2

In the alternate future reality of MC2, the company is known as Stark Global Industries and is owned and run by Tony Stark.

Ultimate Marvel

Stark Industries also appears in the Ultimate universe, as it keeps mostly the same origin as spawned out of Howard Stark's defense company. As well as Stark International in the Ultimate Comics as a competitor to Mandarin International.
Stark Global Solutions Headquarters also appears as a separate company operated in Singapore owned by Tony Stark's older brother Gregory.

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 is 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.
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. 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. Some Stark assets end up in the hands of wealthy buyers, with the billionaire Midas taking Howard Stark's first Iron Man armor.

What If?

In a What If story, the company is known as Stark Interplanetary and was the creators of the Irondroids

In other media

Television

Video games

Theme parks