Iron Lad is the name used by two different protagonists in Marvel Comics. In Young Avengers, beginning in 2005, he is Nathaniel Richards, a younger version of Kang who wants to escape his future. In the new Ultimate Universe, launched in 2023, the name belongs to the teenage Tony Stark of Earth-6160. They are not the same character or part of the same continuity, even though both stories involve time travel.
A revelation published in 2026 adds a further complication to the question. To avoid giving away a major plot development, it appears only in the clearly marked spoiler section.
Iron Lad: Nathaniel Richards or Tony Stark?
| Identity | Nathaniel Richards | Tony Stark |
|---|---|---|
| Where the story takes place | Comes from Earth-6311 (Other-Earth) and operates on Earth-616 | Lives on Earth-6160, the new Ultimate Universe |
| Signature team | Young Avengers | Ultimates, the team opposing the Maker's Council |
| First story using the name | Young Avengers (2005) #1, published February 9, 2005 | Ultimate Invasion (2023) #4, published September 27, 2023 |
| Key technology | Mind-responsive neurokinetic armor with time-travel capabilities | Armor based on his father's design, with repulsors and time-travel technology |
| Main motivation | Avoid becoming the conqueror he meets as his future self | Restore the superheroes the Maker prevented from emerging in his world |
This comparison identifies their first stories under the codename, not Tony Stark's first-ever appearance or Kang's first appearance in the multiverse. Ultimate Invasion #4 establishes Tony's adoption of the Iron Lad identity, as reflected in the story and Marvel's official character profile; the 2024 series develops his team.
Nathaniel Richards: the Young Avengers' Iron Lad
Nathaniel Richards grows up in the futuristic reality called Earth-6311. Kang, an older version of Nathaniel, intervenes in his youth and gives him armor that responds to his thoughts. After learning what sort of conqueror he might become, Nathaniel escapes to Earth-616 and looks for the Avengers.
With the adult team disbanded, he helps bring the Young Avengers together. His defining conflict is not about replacing Tony Stark as Iron Man, but about resisting a future tied to Kang and dealing with the consequences of changing a timeline. Young Avengers #1, by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, is the starting point for this identity.
That is why most character guides say Iron Lad is a young Kang: they are describing Nathaniel Richards. The regular Earth-616 Tony Stark also appears in Young Avengers stories, but he is a separate person and should not be mistaken for the teenager inside Iron Lad's armor.
Tony Stark: Earth-6160's Iron Lad
In the Ultimate line that grew out of Ultimate Invasion, the Maker, a version of Reed Richards, alters the history of a new Earth and prevents many superheroes from emerging. In this reality, Tony's father, Howard Stark, is Iron Man. After the events of Ultimate Invasion #4, young Tony builds his own armor with the help of a Reed Richards who calls himself Doom and takes the name Iron Lad.
His goal is to rebuild a network of heroes capable of fighting the Maker's Council. In Ultimates (2024) #1, by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri, the group associated with Tony, Captain America, Doom, Thor and Sif is already working to restore the heroic possibilities stolen from ordinary people.
Iron Lad therefore is not Nathaniel Richards secretly masquerading as Tony in this storyline. Marvel explicitly identifies this hero as Anthony Stark from Earth-6160, with his own family background, enemies and team.
Why isn't Earth-6160 the original Ultimate Universe?
Marvel's first modern Ultimate Universe was Earth-1610, associated with the publishing line launched in the early 2000s. Earth-6160 is a new continuity established in the era beginning in 2023, not another name for Earth-1610.
The connection between them is the Maker, a character from the earlier Ultimate Universe. His role in creating and manipulating the newer reality explains why the stories share the Ultimate label without taking place on the same Earth. Earth-6160 must not be confused with Earth-616, either: the latter is the main continuity in which Nathaniel joined the Young Avengers.
Does the 2026 Kang reveal change the answer?
Spoiler warning for Ultimate Endgame #3 (March 2026). If you only want to tell the two Iron Lads apart, skip this section.
Yes, it adds another layer, but it does not make Nathaniel and Tony the same person. In Ultimate Endgame #3, published March 25, 2026, Kang reveals himself as a future version of Tony Stark from the Ultimate continuity. Josh Wilding reported the reveal for ComicBookMovie; Marvel's public issue synopsis teases major revelations without, on its own, identifying the character behind the mask.
In other words, 'Iron Lad is Kang' can refer to different relationships. Nathaniel Richards is the young Kang introduced in the 2005 story. Earth-6160's Iron Lad is Tony Stark, whose storyline also introduces a future Kang in 2026. The crucial distinction is that these people, Earths and plots should not be merged.
Where should you start reading?
- For Nathaniel Richards, start with Young Avengers (2005) #1 and continue through the team's opening story arc.
- For Earth-6160's Tony Stark, read Ultimate Invasion (2023) #4, then Ultimate Universe (2023) #1, followed by Ultimates (2024) #1.
- If you want the later 2026 Kang development, save Ultimate Endgame #3 until after the new Ultimate Universe's introductory comics.
The surest way to identify an Iron Lad is to check his civilian name and Earth designation, not just his codename or armor color. Nathaniel Richards and Tony Stark can both be Iron Lad, but their stories begin in different continuities.
Sources and references
- Marvel: Iron Lad (Tony Stark), Earth-6160
- Marvel: Young Avengers, history and members
- Marvel: MARVEL SNAP Explained: Who Is Iron Lad?
- Marvel: Young Avengers (2005) #1
- Marvel: Ultimate Invasion (2023) #4
- Marvel: Ultimates (2024) #1
- Marvel: Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch on the new Ultimate Universe
- Marvel: A Guide to the Many Marvel Multiverses
- Marvel: Ultimate Endgame (2025) #3
- ComicBookMovie, Josh Wilding: Ultimate Endgame #3 reveal
