It's a time-honored tradition for superheroes to fill their battles with jokes and banter. Superheroes practically sling one-liners at their opponents in rhythm with the blows they throw. While Robert Downey Jr. introduced general audiences to Tony Stark's wit in 2008, Iron Man had been joking in comics long before that.

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From the days Tony Stark first became Iron Man, he has been known to kid around with his opponents in true cheesy Silver Age fashion. As the character grew and changed, going so far as to reveal his identity to the public, Iron Man never lost his sense of humor. So whether he's making puns or expressing a dry wit, one thing is certain. Iron Man has a joke for every situation.

10 "Sometimes You Need A Little Bravado To Keep Things Interesting" Defuses Tension During An Invasion Of Avengers Mansion

Iron Man in Avengers #169

Iron Man is a founding Avenger who has a long history of working alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes. He knows just how crazy things get in the heat of battle. Such was the case in Avengers #169 when the mansion was invaded.

As he makes the scene, Iron Man bursts through a wall loudly proclaiming "Make way, world! Here comes the Invincible Iron Man!" He immediately undercuts this boast by thinking to himself that he didn't announce that to intimidate his enemies but rather to keep things interesting for himself.

9 "It's The Melter. Calling It Combat Is Being Kind" Dismisses One Of His Oldest Foes

Iron Man talks to general while fighting the Melter

In the Invincible Iron Man series, everything was coming at Iron Man at once. Not only was he running his business as Tony Stark and fighting supervillains as Iron Man, he was also coordinating his efforts with the US government.

A true multi-tasker, Iron Man actually fights The Melter while FaceTiming with a general in Invincible Iron Man #4. Said general was upset that Tony wasn't giving him his full attention because he was engaged in combat, but Iron Man responds that he doesn't even consider fighting the Melter real combat.

Iron Man and Namor

The world didn't always know that Iron Man and Tony Stark were one and the same. In fact, he let them believe that Iron Man was Tony's bodyguard. Leading a double life was stressful for Tony, but that didn't stop him from having a little fun.

When teaming up with the Sub-Mariner in Iron Man Annual #10, Iron Man suggests they go to Tony Stark for help because he's smart. What looks to Namor like Iron Man paying Tony Stark a sincere compliment is actually him bragging about his own intelligence.

7 "I Might As Well Fill It Full Of People That Might Actually Get Attacked By Space Aliens" Makes Light Of Constant Alien Attacks

Iron Man talks to Illuminati of Namor, Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, and Dr. Strange

The "Avengers Disassembled" event left the Avengers shattered and, well, disassembled. It wasn't long until Iron Man and Captain America had to bring a new team together, and it was up to Iron Man to find them a new headquarters.

In New Avengers #7, Iron Man notices that it's hard to get people to work in downtown Manhattan office buildings because of constant alien attacks. Seeing the opportunity, Iron Man moves the Avengers there because if they do get attacked by aliens, the Avengers will be there to fight them off.

6 "Note To Self: Next Time Use The Acronym" Realizes S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Full Name Is Too Lengthy

Iron Man represting S.H.I.E.L.D.

The international peacekeeping agency S.H.I.E.L.D. has had many directors, from Nick Fury to Maria Hill. At one point, Tony Stark was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Iron Man Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. ran for 35 issues.

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Taking on the role came with many challenges for Tony, one of which was memorizing what the acronym stood for. When apprehending criminals, he had to announce that he works for the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate. Finding that too much of a mouthful, he decides it's easier to just call them S.H.I.E.L.D. going forward.

5 "Do You Know What Swamp Butt Is? Spider-Man Practically Invented It" Trash Talks Another Hero

Iron Man insults Spider-Man to his fan

Iron Man's reputation has spread far and wide, and International Iron Man was a title that sent him abroad and proved that he's one of the most well-known heroes in the world.

Iron Man has let his fame and renown get to his head, so when he learns that a child's favorite hero is Spider-Man, it's a blow to his ego. Not to be outdone, Iron Man immediately takes Spider-Man down a peg by telling his young fan that Spider-Man has swamp butt, kicking off a minor Spider-Man smear campaign.

4 "Say 'Moose And Squirrel' Just Once" Mocks A Villain's Russian Accent

Iron Man and Titanium Man

In the days leading up to Civil War, Iron Man became a mentor to Peter Parker and brought him along to Washington to battle the Superhuman Registration Act. Spider-Man ended up fighting Titanium Man.

Marvel has many superpowered Russians, but perhaps the most famous heavily-accented villain in pop culture is Boris Badenov from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, who referred to his fuzzy nemeses as "Moose and Squirrel." Confronting Titanium Man in Amazing Spider-Man #531, Iron Man asks him to say "Moose and Squirrel," annoying Titanium Man and prompting his quick departure.

3 "Ten More Seconds And This Lunatic Will Have Peeled His Way Through To My G-String" Wisecracks During A Hulk Attack

Iron Man fights the Hulk

The Ultimates comic series was the Avengers' with all their faults and foibles dialed up to 11. Their version of Tony Stark carried around a martini glass and had no filter.

The Hulk goes on a rampage in Ultimates #2, and Iron Man rockets right into the behemoth. Despite being outmatched, that doesn't stop Stark from joking around. As Hulk is ripping through his armor, Iron Man broadcasts that he's going to be down to his g-string soon. It's probably one of the most inappropriate things any hero could say in the middle of a battle.

2 "If You Find The Thunder God In The Same Room I Found Iron Man -- Say Hello For Me -- Old Friend" Points Out Ridiculousness Of Secret Identities

Avengers 113

The Avengers had a long-standing rule that those who had secret identities had a right to those secrets. As a result, Iron Man and Thor were always dodging their own teammates. At some point, Tony figured out Thor's identity.

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Not wanting to have one over on Thor, Tony revealed his own identity to Don Blake in the cheekiest way possible in Avengers #113. Making light of the fact that they both had to leave the room to "go get" their alter ego, Tony revealed the truth with a wink and a smile.

1 "Hold Still. I'm Trying To Arrest You" Jokes Even When Stressed Out

Iron Man blasts Zeke Stane

Being Iron Man isn't all fun and games, as the identity was born out of Tony Stark's guilt over being a weapons manufacturer. Being a superhero puts the weight of the world on his shoulder and gives him another kind of stress.

Sometimes the job just exasperates Tony. In The Invincible Iron Man series, Iron Man met and was defeated by Obadiah Stane's vengeful son, Zeke. Coming back for round 2, Iron Man knew he was going to beat Zeke, so he simply told the criminal to hold still so he could arrest him.

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