Howard Stark

Howard Stark
Howard Stark as seen in S.H.I.E.L.D. #1. Art by Dustin Weaver.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Iron Man #28 (August 1970)
Created by	Archie Goodwin (writer) Don Heck (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Howard Anthony Walter Stark
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	Stark Industries
Supporting character of	Iron Man Captain America
Abilities	Genius-level intellect Highly proficient scientist, engineer, and businessperson

Howard Stark is an American fictional comic book character who appears in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a background character in stories featuring his son Tony Stark. He is the founder of Stark Industries. Throughout the character's publication history, Howard Stark has been featured in several incarnations of comic book series.

He has also been adapted for several animated TV shows and films. Throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character has been portrayed by Dominic Cooper and John Slattery.

The character was created by writer-editor Archie Goodwin and designed by artist Don Heck. He made his first appearance in Iron Man #28 (August 1, 1970).

Described as a brilliant scientist and ruthless businessman, Howard Stark worked alongside his father on various projects, and later founded Stark Industries. Howard was an inventive mechanical engineering prodigy, constantly creating new technology and looking for ways to improve it. He designed and built weaponry and devices that have revolutionized the industrial world, such as various technologies used by S.H.I.E.L.D. and its allies. Howard later had a wife and they had their child Tony. Howard's relationship with Tony was a difficult one, however, with Howard rarely expressing affection for the boy. Howard's one major weakness was his severe case of alcoholism, a problem Tony himself would inherit. In the comics, Howard and his wife died in a car crash, as the result of faulty brakes arranged by either business competitors Republic Oil & Gas or by the V-Battalion. Howard's death inspired his son to take both business and engineering seriously as Iron Man.