Force Works

Template:Short description Template:Infobox comic book title Force Works is the name of different fictional superhero teams appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

The first version of Force Works appeared in the comic book Force Works #1 (July 1994), created by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and initially drawn by Tom Tenney.<ref>Abnett & Lanning Revive "Resurrection Man", Comic Book Resources</ref> The team was formed from the remains of the West Coast Avengers, after leader Iron Man left the Avengers due to an internal dispute. Force Works maintained a different outlook than that of the Avengers, trying to preempt natural and man-made disasters.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The second version of Force Works was mentioned in Civil War #6.

Fictional team biography

From the ashes of West Coast Avengers

Force Works began shortly after the West Coast Avengers disbanded.<ref>The Superhero Book, p.252</ref> Tony Stark, otherwise known as the superhero Iron Man, sought to form a superhero group with a different philosophy than its predecessors (most notably the East Coast branch of the Avengers): they would not just stop disasters, but prevent them. The team was initially composed of Iron Man, U.S. Agent, Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter), Scarlet Witch, and Wonder Man. By the end of their first mission, Wonder Man was thought dead at the hands of the invading Kree, and shortly thereafter the alien Century replaced him.<ref>Force Works #1</ref> The group used a combination of the Chaos Computer (a supercomputer that used incoming information to predict future events) and the Scarlet Witch's powers to attempt to prevent major world problems.

Force Works used a Stark Enterprises facility known as The Works as their base. The building was fully equipped for the team's use; it featured powerful security and stealth systems and incorporated nanotechnology that would repair the building if it were damaged. It was maintained by a Stark Industries staff, leaving Force Works to focus on its duties. The facility was also administered by an artificial intelligence system called P.L.A.T.O. (Piezo-electrical Logistic Analytical Tactical Operator). The Works also included living and training accommodations and could also produce hard-light holographs.

Although Force Works was officially led by the Scarlet Witch, Iron Man would often act insubordinately and make his own decisions during their missions. Later it was revealed that Iron Man was under the influence of the time-traveling villain Kang the Conqueror (even later revealed to be his future self Immortus in disguise). The team fought several battles, existed for just less than two years, and disbanded. Most of its members rejoined the Avengers or sank into obscurity.

Shortly after the disintegration of the group, Tony Stark died in his attempts to regain control of himself from "Kang" and was replaced by a younger, alternate-reality version of himself. The original Stark did not remain dead for long, due to the events that culminated in the "Heroes Reborn" storyline.

Force Works in the Fifty State Initiative

A new version of Force Works was mentioned as being active and sent to Iowa as a part of the Fifty State Initiative. Although no members were shown or even named. According to editor Tom Brevoort on a Newsarama interview it could be that the team consists of new super-heroes, some could be existing "Pro-reg" heroes and some could be established heroes "with an upgrade".<ref>Civil War #6. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Force Works was again mentioned as a team when War Machine was sent into space to deal with attacking Skrulls. Investigating a Stark satellite, he discovered Cybermancer there, and it was implied by War Machine she was a member of Force Works.<ref>Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #33. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Members

• Iron Man
• Century<ref>Keith Giffen & Andy Schmidt Answer Your "Annihilation" Questions, Part 1, Comic Book Resources</ref>
• Cybermancer
• Moonraker
• Scarlet Witch<ref>The Superhero Book, p.417</ref>
• Spider-Woman<ref>The Superhero Book, p.465</ref><ref>Mike Conroy, 500 Great Comicbook Action Heroes, Barrons Educational Series, p.214</ref>
• U.S. Agent
• War Machine<ref>THE IRON MANUAL: War Machine, Comic Book Resources</ref>
• Wonder Man
• Solo
• Gauntlet
• Mockingbird
• Quake
• Maria Hill

Collections

Title	Material collected	Date Released	ISBN
Avengers/Iron Man: Force Works	Force Works #1–15, Force Works: Ashcan Edition; Century: Distant Sons #1; material from Iron Man/Force Works Collectors' Preview	May 2016	Template:ISBNT
Iron Man/War Machine: Hands of the Mandarin	War Machine #8–10, Iron Man #310–312, Force Works #6–7 and material from Marvel Comics Presents #169–172	May 2013	Template:ISBNT
Avengers: The Crossing	Avengers #390–395, The Crossing #1, Timeslide #1; Iron Man #319–325; Force Works #16–22; War Machine #20–25; Age of Innocence: The Rebirth of Iron Man #1	May 2012	Template:ISBNT

In other media

File:Force Works 30.jpg

Force Works as depicted in Iron Man. From left to right: Spider-Woman, War Machine, Iron Man, Century, Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch.

Force Works appears in the first season of Iron Man (1994), consisting of Iron Man, War Machine, Spider-Woman, the Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, and Century. Additionally, U.S. Agent appears in the eight-issue comic adaptation of the series. Shortly after the characters were written out, Force Works was canceled at issue #22 (April 1996).

External links

• Force Works I at Marvel Wiki
• Force Works II at Marvel Wiki
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