Summary

• Iron Man extends an apology to Captain America in Avengers Prime, finally healing the wounds of the iconic Civil War conflict.
• Captain America and Iron Man, though often at odds, share a mutual goal of protecting the world, making them Marvel's Mightiest Heroes.
• The ultimate conflict between freedom and security is embodied in the relationship between Captain America and Iron Man, who fight better together.

The Civil War between Captain America is iconic for splitting Marvel Comics’ superhero community down the middle. The damage from said conflict has taken years to heal, and to this day Steve Rogers and Tony Stark still feel its effects. But that doesn’t mean a formal apology was never issued, and it was Iron Man who ended up extending the olive branch.

Avengers Prime #5 – written by Brian Michael Bendis, with art by Alan Davis – reunites the classic Avengers leaders in the wake of Norman Osborn’s Siege, cementing the reforged bond between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Having defeated Hela alongside Thor and the rest of the Avengers, Captain America acknowledges how hard it is to put the past behind them.

In response, Tony tells Steve, “All the things I said and did – I’m – I’m so, so sorry,” even going so far as to say he doesn’t deserve Cap’s forgiveness.

Iron Man's Apology To Captain American Began To Heal The Wounds Of "Civil War"

Avengers Prime #5 – Written By Brian Michael Bendis; Art By Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, Javier Rodriguez, & Chris Eliopoulos

What makes Captain America and Iron Man perfect foils for one another, as the best of friends and the most natural rivals, is their mutual conviction in upholding what they stand for.

The heroes ultimately agree they’re better together than apart, finally overcoming for the most part the years-long grudge perfectly distilled in Civil War: The Confession. Telling two stories in the aftermath of their final confrontation over the SRA, the issue sees an imprisoned Steve ask a gloating Tony whether their war was worth it, only for Iron Man to it that it wasn’t upon Captain America’s death. And with their battle against Hela reuniting the duo, they finally get the chance to say what they’ve meant to for years.

Steve Rogers is a man who will always commit to protecting freedom at any cost, and that’s put him at odds with those in power more than once. Meanwhile, Tony is the ultimate futurist who believes in protecting people by creating a suit of armor around the world, either ideologically, literally, or in the case of Civil War, politically. And it’s clear here that Tony knows Cap was right.

In many ways, Captain America and Iron Man represent the ultimate conflict between freedom and security, but ultimately, they just want to do what they can to protect the world.

Iron Man & Captain America's Similarities Made Their "Civil War" Divide So Tragic

Civil War: The Confession – Written By Brian Michael Bendis; Art By Chris Eliopoulos, Alex Maleev & Jose Villarrubia.

In many ways, Captain America and Iron Man represent the ultimate conflict between freedom and security, but ultimately, they just want to do what they can to protect the world. And this brings in innate tension to Steve and Tony’s relationship that has reared its head a couple of times even since they squashed their Civil War beef. But while Captain America and Iron Man may not always agree on how to get the job done, they know that it’s only when they fight together that they’re truly Marvel Comics’ Mightiest Heroes.

Avengers Prime and Civil War: The Confession are available now from Marvel Comics.