Howard Stark

A photograph of Howard framed in the Stark Factory

> "*Everything is achievable through technology*"
> ― Howard Stark
>
>

**Howard Anthony Walter Stark** is a character from Marvel Comics who first appeared in *Iron Man* #28 in 1970.

## History

### Background

Howard Stark was an inventor who founded Stark Industries in 1939 and was often accompanied by his butler, Edwin Jarvis. Throughout the 1940s, he worked with the U.S. government to develop weapons to fight the nazis, namely the experimental nazi tech faction of HYDRA. In 1943, he worked alongside Abraham Erskine to create the super-soldier serum used to make super-soldiers. This would result in the transformation of Steve Rogers into the first Captain America with Stark and Rogers becoming allies as Howard would create Steve's iconic Vibranium shield.

In 1947, Howard created the movie studio, "Stark Pictures". He remained allies of the SSR and Peggy Carter after the war and Captain America's disappearance, assisted Carter in founding the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D. which Howard was secretly a leader of. During his time in the SSR, Stark worked to decipher a message in the Asgardian language.

### Stark Industries Complex

After World War II, Howard founded the *Strategic Scientific Reserve* alongside military ally Peggy Carter. He created a station for the reserve at his, "Stark Industries Complex" in Orange, California, built around a quarantined temporal anomaly which the SSR investigated. Also in this complex was PYM Labs, the company of fellow businessman/scientist, Hank Pym.

The Stark subsidiary *Geffen-Meyer Chemicals* constructed subterranean, "Utilidors" throughout the complex on the December 16th of 1952 and finalized on the July 17 of 1955 . He also had establishments for *Stark Aerodynamics* where he kept experimental flight devices, and a Stark Motors complex where he attempted to create flying cars like M.A.R.I.A.. Just outside of the complex, he owned vineyards and wine testing rooms.

### Stark Expos

In 1954, Howard Stark arranged for the first Stark Expo. This expo was held in Flushing Meadows, New York. At some point after 1955, Howard became a patron of, "Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar", a drinking-establishment in the sleepy establishment of Disney Springs run by fellow aviator, Jock Lindsey. Stark had keys left behind in this establishment.

Another expo was held ten years later in Flushing Meadows. At this world's fair, Stark became affiliated with fellow businessman, Walt Disney. Here, Howard and Walt seemingly collaborated on the creation of Disney's, "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow".

In 1970, Howard and Maria had their son, Tony Stark. Howard created a the first Arc Reactor in the 1970s and in 1974, he unveiled his flying car *M.A.R.I.A.* at the 1974 World's Fair.

### Later life

Howard and Maria were both assassinated by HYDRA assassin, "The Winter Soldier" in 1991. The murder was covered-up as being a car-accident. After this, Tony was raised by Edwin and inherited his father's company.

## Appearances and allusions

### Avengers Campus (DCA)

This themed land is set on Stark's former Industrial complex. References to Howard can be found throughout such as a vintage map with his quote, " "Everything is achievable through technology".

#### Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

The vita ray counter and vials of super-soldier serum appear in the Collector's fortress.

#### PYM Test Kitchen

Ant-Man's phone will sometimes show a text from Tony Stark reading, "Tater Tot! Those W.E.B. kids shrank half **my father**'s lab with the Pym Particles you gave them!! So you and the kids have 24hrs to fix it. Clock's ticking".

#### Shawarma Palace

Stark's presence at the 1974 world's fair is referenced with a sticker in Shawarma Palace's possession of papers referencing their history.

#### Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

The base for W.E.B. is themed to being an old factory used by *Stark Motors*. Multiple allusions to Howard Stark exist within the building, notably including his demonstration of the flying car MARIA at the Stark Expo of 1955. These posters mention Howard Stark and also have illustrations of him on them. Outside the attraction, Howard's parking place is visible next to those of Edwin Jarvis and Peggy Carter.

### Avengers Campus (WDSP)

This area is themed around an old Stark Industries complex run by Howard

#### Stark Factory

This restaurant is themed to a factory run by Howard which doubled as an SSR base. A photo of Howard appears in Peggy Carter's old office.

### Innoventions

In the exhibit *Captain America: The Living Legend and Symbol of Courage*, Howard was referenced for the part he played in creating Captain America's shield.

### Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar

In the lost & found of *Society of Explorers and Adventurers* member Jock Lindsey's bar in the town of Disney Springs are keys labelled, "Howard S.". It is also worth noting that Iron Man is referenced in the bar with a salvaged, "The Iron Fireman" plane which is plotted so it reads, "Iron Man". Furthermore, it likely references Howard due to his presence in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), a film directed by Joe Johnston who also worked on *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981) which the bar is based on.

### Stark Expo

#### Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle!

Howard is briefly mentioned by Arnim Zola in the queue for this attraction where he compares Howard to Tony.

#### Iron Man Experience

A large portion of the queue for this attraction is dedicated to telling the history of Howard Stark.

### Other connections

#### Epcot

The Iron Man Experience's queue shows Howard and Walt Disney together, planning Epcot.

## Trivia

* The Iron Man Experience's queue shows that Howard Stark and Walt Disney were affiliates.
* A vita-ray meter with Howard used while assisting Erskine turn Steve Rogers into Captain America is in the Collector's possession.
* Stark's vineyards outside Avengers Campus are a reference to Disney's Golden Vine Winery.
* The MCU depiction of Howard Stark featured in the parks is inspired by historic figures Howard Hughes and Walt Disney.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/diaz/31470523103/in/album-72157675406220963/
2. ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2022/02/photos-magic-key-holders-given-blueprint-of-stark-industries-campus/
3. ↑ https://www.insider.com/avengers-campus-marvel-references-2021-6#dont-hurry-too-fast-into-avengers-campus-the-main-entrance-is-a-big-tribute-to-tony-stark-1
4. ↑ https://www.syfy.com/syfy.com/avengers-campus-mcu-easter-eggs-hidden-everywhere
5. ↑ https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/avengers-campus-spider-man-easter-eggs
6. ↑ https://collider.com/captain-america-disneyland-exhibit-images/
7. ↑ https://insidethemagic.net/2015/09/jock-lindseys-hangar-bar-opens-at-walt-disney-world-inspired-by-indiana-jones-packed-with-movie-nods-to-star-wars-pixar-and-more/
8. ↑ https://dlpreport.com/special-report-avengers-campus-paris-preview-weekend-july-9-10-2022/