Summary
- Iron Man creates "gunk" inspired by Spider-Man's web fluid to take down the Crimson Dynamo in The Invincible Iron Man #20.
- "Gunk" designed for Stark Sentinels is stronger than Spider-Man's webbing, lasts longer, and is less merciful in combat.
- Tony Stark's new angrier persona in the comics is reflected in his willingness to fight dirty and take down enemies quickly.
Warning: Spoilers for The Invincible Iron Man #20!
In the MCU, Tony Stark is taking a page from Peter Parker's book, creating his own version of web fluid. Calling his new invention “gunk” – and assuring the reader that it's definitely a scientific term – Iron Man is able to take down a familiar old foe, as he confronts the Crimson Dynamo once more.
The Invincible Iron Man #20 – written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Andrea Di Vito – features the introduction of "gunk." Tony sprays down the Soviet attacker from his wrist gauntlets to freeze him in place.
"Gunk" was originally developed for fighting the Sentinels, not meaning to use it on a human being. After the Crimson Dynamo is trapped like a mosquito in amber, a nearby police officer asks if he can breathe in there. Tony its he hopes he can, not wanting to kill him, but is more dismissive about whether he can also pee in there.
Spider-Man's web fluid is meant to be strong enough to him as he swings around the city, and to restrain criminals and villains until the police can arrive. Iron Man's gunk, however, was designed to tackle the Stark Sentinels...Consequently, it needed to be significantly stronger.

Iron Man's New Armor Is a Groundbreaking Reimagining "Unlike Anything Seen In His 60-Year History" (According to Marvel)
As a new era begins for Tony Stark, Iron Man debuts a new suit known as the "Improvised Iron Man" - a modular suit that will continually evolve.
Iron Man's "Gunk" Is A More Intense Version Of Spider-Man's Webbing
The Invincible Iron Man #20 – Written By Gerry Duggan; Art By Andrea Di Vito, Bryan Valenza, & Joe Caramagna
Iron Man's version of Spider-Man's web shooters is a mark of that new Tony Stark, less willing to show mercy.
Web shooters are Spider-Man's most iconic gadget, invented at the start of his time as a superhero, in Amazing Fantasy #15. As Peter Parker said, a spider is nothing without webs, so he developed both the web fluid and the palm-shooters that allow him to swing around New York City. While he has adapted them over the years to include ice webs, acid webs, and others, the basic formula has stood the test of time. One of the important aspects of them is that the webs dissolve after about an hour, so he doesn't leave a trail anywhere he goes.
Spider-Man's web fluid is meant to be strong enough to him as he swings around the city, and to restrain criminals and villains until the police can arrive. Iron Man's gunk, however, was designed to tackle the Stark Sentinels – Orchis' version of the mutant-hunting Sentinel, outfitted with Iron Man tech. Consequently, it needed to be significantly stronger. It still dissolves, but takes about 4 hours to fall apart, enough time to let any mutants in the area escape – but conversely, much longer for a non-robot foe to be trapped, as exhibited in The Invincible Iron Man #20.

- NAME
- Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark
- Alias
- Iron Man
- FIRST APP
- "Tales of Suspense" #39 (1963)
- Created By
- Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber
- POWERS
- Genius intellect, armor providing flight, hacking, superhuman strength, reflexes, and durability.
- TEAM
- The Avengers
Anthony "Tony" Edward Stark, AKA Iron Man, is a Marvel Comics superhero who has enjoyed several years of the spotlight and has become a mainstay in several Marvel media franchises. After suffering a critical injury, Tony creates a specialized armored suit powered by an arc reactor, which keeps him alive. Egotistical but good-hearted, Tony utilizes his super intellect and inventions to fight to protect humanity from various threats, eventually becoming a founding member of the Avengers. In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was kicked off with the film Iron Man, which starred Robert Downey Jr. as the superhero.
Iron Man's Appropriation Of Spider-Man's Classic Tech Shows How He Has Changed
A Hardened Tony Stark
With The Invincible Iron Man #20 concluding the title's run, a new solo series was announced, starring an angrier take on the hero, one willing to fight dirty to take out his enemies. Iron Man's version of Spider-Man's web shooters is a mark of that new Tony Stark, less willing to show mercy or talk to villains, and ready to take them down by any means necessary. He's determined to never be an underdog again, and Iron Man isn't wasting time on bad guys.
The Invincible Iron Man #20 is available now from Marvel Comics.
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2022) #20 |
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- Alias
- Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner
- Created By
- Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
- Franchise
- Marvel, Spider-Man
- Race
- Human
- First Appearance
- Amazing Fantasy
- Alliance
- Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.