Easter Eggs In Ironheart

Summary

• White Castle Fight – After a battle, Riri lands on a sign spelling “ouch!” resembling a comic book moment.
• Riri’s Student ID – Her ID number references her comic debut, a common easter egg trope in Marvel films.
• Mephisto Tease – Mephisto’s MCU debut, linked to The Hood, hints at Riri’s deal with him and references to other Marvel characters.

The latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Ironheart, a series that follows Riri Williams after her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Riri struggles to return to normal life after her adventures with Shuri and the Wakandans. During this time, she falls in with the wrong crowd while dealing with a mysterious character known as The Hood.

As with every Marvel project, Ironheart is filled with easter eggs that reference previous characters or plot points within the MCU, as well as elements taken directly from the comics. The series is packed with these hidden details, which only the most dedicated Marvel fans are likely to notice.

**Contains Spoilers For Ironheart**

1

White Castle Fight

A Frame Looks Directly Out Of A Page

The fast food chain White Castle is well-known in pop culture, particularly for its significant role in the stoner-comedy film Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. While the connection to Ironheart may seem tenuous, it wouldn’t be surprising if the creative team had this reference in mind when selecting the location.

However, this easter egg comes from the more eagle-eyed viewers rather than those with prior knowledge. After a confrontation with the Blood Siblings inside the restaurant, Riri Williams, now in her suit, lands on a sign outside. The only letters remaining on the sign spell out the word “ouch!” This moment resembles something straight out of a comic book, where action words are often depicted in this way.

2

Riri’s Student ID

A Common Trope For Easter Eggs

A common easter egg found in Marvel movies is when a character is assigned a specific number. This number is typically not random; it often references something significant about the character’s past.

In the case of Riri Williams, her student ID contains the code “30216RW,” which directly refers to her first appearance in the comics. She debuted in “Invincible Iron Man Vol. 3, Issue #7,” which was released on March 2, 2016. The number 216 on her student ID serves as a subtle nod to her origins.

3

A Subtle Nod To The Wait For Mephisto

Marvel Likes To Tease Their Fans

A highly anticipated character in the MCU was Mephisto, Marvel’s version of Satan, who made his on-screen debut in Ironheart. He was portrayed by none other than Sacha Baron Cohen, who had long been rumored to take on this role. In the series, Mephisto is revealed to be the mastermind behind Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood, and his actions throughout the storyline.

When Mephisto introduces himself to Riri, he is disappointed to find that she has no idea who he is. However, this moment serves as a subtle nod to fans who are well aware of Mephisto’s significance and have been eagerly awaiting his appearance in the MCU since he was teased in WandaVision in 2021.

4

Riri Is Not The Only Hero To Make A Deal With The Devil

Many Characters Have Dealt With Mephisto Previously

At the very end of the series, it is revealed that Riri made a deal with Mephisto to bring back her friend, Natalie, from the dead. This is confirmed in the final shot when markings start to appear on her body, resembling those seen on The Hood, a previous character who dealt with Mephisto.

However, Riri is not the only hero in Marvel Comics to have made a pact with the devil. Many famous heroes have encountered Mephisto, including Ghost Rider, Phil Coulson, Doctor Strange, and most famously, Spider-Man. In exchange for bringing Aunt May back to life, Peter Parker agreed to erase his marriage to Mary Jane from existence.

5

Natalie’s Entrance Hints At Her Comic History

The AI Has Ties To Another Iron-Clad Hero

In the series, it is revealed that Riri Williams’ best friend, Natalie, was killed, and Riri is still grappling with the trauma from this loss. When deciding on an AI system for her latest Ironheart suit, Riri developed a program that scanned her brainwaves, resulting in a representation of Natalie.

When Natalie is revealed, she says, “Who else would it be?” This line references the comics, where Ironheart’s original AI was a holographic version of Tony Stark, who acted as a mentor figure even after his death. However, in the comics, Natalie eventually becomes Riri’s AI, similar to the portrayal in the show.

6

Doctor Strange References

Many Easter Eggs Relate To The Master Of The Mystic Arts

The show, initially perceived as primarily focused on technology, surprisingly delves into the mystic arts, featuring numerous references to Doctor Strange and his supporting characters. In her quest to counter magic with magic, Riri seeks assistance from her mother’s friend’s daughter, Zelma, who is a self-taught magician. Zelma theorizes that The Hood originates from Dormammu, a character not seen since Doctor Strange in 2016, and the master of the Dark Dimension.

She also mentions Kaecilius, an evil wizard who has not appeared since that film, providing a nice callback for fans. Zelma herself is based on a character from the comics; she is a student of Stephen Strange and even possesses a jar of “brain maggots,” which is also taken directly from the source material.

7

Faust Poster Foreshadows The Ending

A Clever Nod To The Future

At the end of Episode 2, Riri is talking with Natalie outside, and several posters behind her read “Faust.” Faust refers to the protagonist of German folklore who makes a pact with the devil at a crossroads, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.

The presence of this poster behind Riri serves as direct foreshadowing for the series’ ending, in which Riri herself makes a deal with Mephisto to bring Natalie back from the dead. Additionally, this could reference Parker Robbins, who also made a deal with the devil, something Riri was unaware of at the time, and the clue was literally behind her all along.

8

Zeke Stane Is Taken From The Comics

The Character Had A Very Similar Arc In The Page

Another twist in the show was the reveal that Joe McGillicuddy was actually Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane, the son of Obadiah Stane, who was formerly a mentor but turned into a villain in Iron Man. Like many characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Zeke Stane originated from the comics, where he shares a similar backstory.

In the show, Zeke receives biometric upgrades that enable him to generate electricity, mirroring his abilities in the comics. His motivation for these enhancements is revenge on Tony Stark for his father’s death. Although in the show, Zeke recognizes that his father was a villain, and instead harbors resentment toward Riri for his imprisonment.

9

The Hood’s Crew Is Inspired By Comic Characters

Although There Are A Lot Of Differences

The Hood leads a crew of thieves who assist him in his criminal activities. This crew includes the Blood Siblings, who serve as muscle, Slug, a hacker, and Rampage, a tech specialist. While these characters are inspired by their comic book counterparts, there are notable physical differences.

The Blood Siblings are based on the Blood Brothers, who are cosmic characters associated with Thanos, making them quite different from the grounded portrayal in the show. Slug is depicted as a largely obese drug lord based in Miami, Florida, and has collaborated with The Hood in the comics. In a significant departure from the source material, Slug is reimagined as a hacker played by Shea Couleé. Additionally, Stuart Clarke, also known as Rampage, portrayed by Eric Andre, is drawn from the comics as a supervillain who typically uses an exoskeleton to enhance his physical abilities; however, this characteristic is absent in the show.

10

The Future Of The Hood

It Isn’t The Last Time That Fans Will See Anthony Ramos’ Character

In the mid-credits scene at the end of the final episode, The Hood, now without his hood, seeks assistance. He turns to Zelma, requesting some “hardcore magic” and specifically asking for “Supreme-like help.” This is a direct reference to the Sorcerer Supreme, the master of wizardry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Currently, the Sorcerer Supreme is Wong, but before the Blip, it was Doctor Strange. This suggests that Anthony Ramos’ character, Parker Robbins, will appear in a future project. While it hasn’t been confirmed that Doctor Strange will make an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, he is likely to show up in some capacity. If not in that film, Avengers: Secret Wars might be when The Hood finally seeks out what he desires.