Ironheart Co-Creator Lashes Out at Marvel as Riri Williams Show Comes to Disney+

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Original Riri Williams co-creator Mike Deodato Jr. lambasts Marvel Studios online ahead of Ironheart's Disney+ premiere.

In a recent Instagram post, Deodato opened up about both seeing one of his creations take to the small screen in her own series and the reality of knowing he isn't making anything from it. "As a comic book artist, there are few feelings more satisfying than seeing a character you helped create come to life on the big screen. Tomorrow, the trailer for Ironheart drops, and I'm thrilled to share a scene from the preview featuring a moment I originally brought to life on the comics page. Riri Williams, a character I co-created with the amazing Brian Michael Bendis, is finally taking flight, and the result is stunning. It's a powerful reminder of the magic that happens when imagination meets real-world production," Deodato Jr. wrote.

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"But as much as I celebrate this moment, there's a bitter edge to it. You see, while Marvel has built an empire worth billions on the backs of its creators, the compensation model hasn't kept pace with the success. I'm in a good place, one of the best-paid creators in the industry, and I truly appreciate that. But it's not about me. It's about the principle. When a character you poured your heart into helps fuel the engine of a multi-billion-dollar machine, a small share of that success feels only fair," Deodato continued.

"Creators don't ask for billions or even millions. Just a nod, a bit of recognition, and a share that reflects the contribution they've made. It's not just good ethics—it's good business. Happy creators stay invested, inspired, and loyal... I'm not bitter, just realistic. I'm proud to see Riri come to life, and I'll always appreciate the fans who make that possible. But I hope one day, the companies that thrive on our imaginations will truly recognize the value we bring to the table. Marvel, you can do better."

Introduced in the pages of 2016's Invincible Iron Man #7 by Bendis and Deodato Jr., Riri Williams made her comic book debut as a young, wide-eyed genius with a knack for mechanical engineering. Using pieces she scrounged up around campus at M.I.T., Riri cobbled together her very own suit of reverse-engineered Iron Man armor with which she could protect her community and loved ones. Before long, Riri was taking to the skies as Ironheart, and in the time since, she has come into her own as a tried-and-true superhero.

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The character made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as portrayed by Dominique Thorne, who immediately made her mark on audiences. Thorne is set to make her return to the MCU this June as the lead of her own Ironheart streaming miniseries. Ironheart will feature an ensemble cast including Lyric Ross as Natalie Washington, Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy, Matthew Elam as Xavier Washington, and Anthony Ramos as Park Robbins, better known as the villainous Hood.

Ironheart is set to arrive on Disney+ on June 24.

Source: Instagram