James Rhodes, also called Rhodey, is the best friend of Tony Stark, better known as the superhero Iron Man. Rhodey donned a suit of armor to become War Machine. Rhodey was the first person that Tony trusted to reveal his new suit of armor to. However, Tony was involved in an explosion that seemingly took the life of Howard Stark. Tony came to stay with him and his mother. They turned Tony's secret lab on his family property into the Iron Man Armory. Together they attended the Tomorrow Academy where they met Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, and Gene Khan.