In the comics and movies, Jim Rhodes, War Machine, is always the voice of reason. He does what is right. He is a good example of a good strong character. A good example for all of us.

A Better Man

“My future’s about trying to be a better man.” - Terrence Howard

James (Rhodey) Rupert Rhodes is tony Stark’s (Iron Man) best friend. Rhodes was a soldier and eventually a mercenary. Stark made Rhodes his pilot. Tony developed issues with alcoholism and needed the help of his friend – Jim Rhodes. Tony revealed himself to Rhodey as Iron Man. When Magma attacked Tony was too inebriated to help and the only solution was for Rhodey to don the Iron Man suit and save the day. Using Rhodey’s shining example Tony cleaned up and got sober to become a hero again. Tony gave Rhodey his own Iron Man suit and Rhodey took the name “War Machine”. Tony often uses Rhodey’s example to better himself..

We always need to improve. That is not meant to be a negative statement. Honestly we can run a little farther, read and extra page, hit that higher note, or meditate that extra minute. Let’s face it we all want to be better we need to push ourselves. Gary Zukav wrote “Real power is what you build inside you and that, nobody can take from you.” How do we get to that point of knowing the “Real Power” within us? We learn by going that extra mile, holding that high note, spending the extra hour in the studio, running another mile, another 100 crunches, or meditating another minute. There is always a group of people that will be there to help us better ourselves – we call them our friends. A true friend will be there to cheer you on and support you on that journey. Cheering a friend on will help us become better people as well.

War Machine
First Appearance: As Jim Rhodes, Iron Man #118, January 1979

First Appearance: As Iron Man, Iron Man #170, May 1983

First Appearance: As War Machine, Iron Man #282, September 1992

Creators: Jim Rhodes created by David Michelinie and Bob Layton

Creators: War Machine designed by Len Kaminski and Kevin Hopgood