James Rhodes

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* Biography
* Threat Assessment
* Trivia and Notes
* Gallery

## Identity

### Known Aliases

War Machine (Codename)
Colonel, Mister (Titles)
Jim, Rhodey (Nickname)

### Relatives

Terrence Rhodes (Father, Deceased)
Roberta Rhodes (Mother)
Jeanette Rhodes (Sister)
Joshua Rhodes (Uncle)
Lila Rhodes (Niece)

### Affiliation

Stark Industries (Member)
U.S. Air Forces (Former Member)
SSD (Association, former)

## Biographical Information

### Education

Special Mility Officer Training
(U.S. Air Force)

### Occupation

Manager of Stark Industries Ironworks Division
Air Forces Officer (Retired)

## Background Narrative

### Jim Rhodes: 1961 - 1979

James "Jim" Rhodes was born and raised in the Grays Ferry area of Philadelphia. As a child, Jim suffered racist abuse from some of the white children in his neighborhood not wanting his "kind" in their local park. The friends Jim did make were mostly black or similarly targeted by bullies. As teens, Jim's friends gradually joined street gangs one-by-one, but Jim had the foresight to avoid that pitfall and focus on his education. Just before he graduated, Jim lost his best friend to gun violence. Desperate to get away from his home, Jim accepted a scholarship to join the U.S. Air Force — training to be an officer at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

### Jim Rhodes: 1979 - 1983

Jim did exceptionally well in his training. He graduated among the top cadets of his class, with several commendations and meritorious accomplishments.

### Jim Rhodes: 1983 - 1988

Post-academy, Rhodes underwent further special forces training and flight school before being assigned to AFSOC with the Twenty-Third Air Force at Scott Air Base. He served with distinction, routinely proving himself to be quite a capable leader, expertly handling any assignment given to him. When the Twenty-Third was being relocated to Florida in 1987, Rhodes was promoted to the rank of major and reassigned to act as a military liaison for defense contractor Stark Industries.

For the first few months, the job nearly bored Major Rhodes to tears. He requested multiple transfers as he felt his talents were being put to waste. When he threatened to quit if he was not reassigned, the Pentagon explained to Rhodes that Howard Stark was considering putting his son Tony in charge of Stark Industries' military contracts. Suddenly, Rhodes realized how serious his mission was and he knew he was in for the most difficult fight for his life.

### Jim Rhodes: 1988 - 1993

When Howard Stark turned over the reigns of his company's military and SSD contracts to Tony, Rhodes finally got to meet the (in)famous egomaniacal genius that he had read so much about. After three months, Rhodes again requested a transfer, but the Pentagon declined it, saying that Tony Stark had made working with Rhodes a requirement for Stark Industries' continued contribution to weapons development

Confused, Rhodes confronted Tony Stark, only to discover that Tony thought of Rhodes as his best friend. Rhodes had not had anyone call him their best friend since his childhood friend was gunned down in Philly, so Tony's confession hit him like a freight train. Seeing Tony in a new light, Rhodes adapted his style. He learned when to let Tony be wild and crazy, and when to be the friend who pumped the brakes and held Tony back from something too insane.

About the same time Tony acquired a chaffeur and personal assistant. within days of hiring both, Tony had given them nicknames. Apparently, this is when Tony started giving everyone he met a nickname. Rhodes was no different, quickly being rechristened as "Rhodey" — not Stark's most creative work, but certainly catchy.

It was 1990 when Stark insisted that Rhodey be granted SSD clearance since the eccentric billionaire brat wanted his best friend's opinion on the stuff they were working on Weapon I. I declined the request initially but was forced to push it through when I realized that Stark went against my orders and showed Rhodey all the plans anyway. Fortunately, it worked out for the better since Rhodey did provide some practical insight that had been an oversight on Stark's part for years.

After that there was no separating the two. With Stark building Rhodey an apartment in Stark Tower, just across the hall from Stark's own, the two practically lived together. Even when Rhodey had to attend meetings at the Pentagon, he'd fly to Washington in Stark's private jet or helicopter, usually accompanied by Stark.

### Jim Rhodes: 1993 - 1994

Rhodes was accompanying Stark in Somalia for a field test of Stark Industries equipment when they were attacked by extremists known as the Ten Rings whose aim was to kidnap Stark. Their security detail was murdered while Rhodey and Stark were both severely injured. Rhodey was nearly executed by their leader, but Stark agreed to do anything they wanted if they spared Rhodey's life. With that promise, both men were taken into custody... but six months later, they'd be free again.

## Shield Analysis

### Special Value: 3

* **Tony Stark's Best Friend:** No one knows how to puts up with the libertine that is Tony Stark, Rhodes seems to have earned a place in Stark's heart (which is an organ we are reminded Stark does actually possess due to the ever-present soft glow under his graphic tees from his Arc Reactor). Rhodey, much like Pepper Potts, can actually convince Tony Stark away from making bad decisions (not always, but it's been known to happen).

### Heuristics Value: 5

* **Athletic:** Rhodes is very athletic individual with exceptional upper-body strength.
* **Limp:** Rhodes injuries during his abduction left him unable to remain in active duty with the military. Though he has underwent several surgeries to repair the damage, Rhodes still walks with a noticeable limp. Outside his mechanized armor, Rhodes cannot run more than an awkward jog for any sort of prolonged period of time.
* **Marksmanship:** A former Special Forces operator, Rhodes is a master marksman with assault rifles, sub-machineguns, and handguns. He is also quite proficient in the use of long rifles, including sniper rifles.
* **Martial Arts:** Rhodes' military background has honed him into an expert close-range combatant. Ironically, his close work with Tony Stark over the last few years has given him more personal combat experience than his entire military career.

### Intellectual Value: 4

* **Adaptable:** Though he's not quite on the level as Stark, Banner, Pym, Richards and other great minds that are practically synonymous with the word "genius", Rhodes is a very smart man with the ability to quickly adapt to his surroundings and learn new information at a rapid pace.
* **Strategist:** Rhodes is a master strategist. A former coordinator for a number of AFSOC missions, Rhodes distinguished himself as a top-tier Combat Controller.

### Expertise Value: 5

* **Politics:** As a career military officer, Rhodes knows how to deal with a wide variety of politicians, ranging from conservatives to liberals, elected officials, bureaucrats, and career military personnel. He's personally met with three U.S. Presidents.
* **Survival:** After escaping from the Ten Rings, Rhodes' military survival training kept him and Stark alive until they could be located and extracted from the area.

### Logistics Value: 6

* **Linguistics:** Rhodes speaks English and some Spanish. He knows enough Somali and Arabic to exchange the most basic concepts. He tends to prefer more tactile communication.
* **Mechanics:** Rhodes was an accomplished mechanic, well-versed in the machinery involved in aviation and weaponry. However, since working closely with Stark Industries, Rhodes mechanical aptitude has increased exponentially.
* **Vehicle Operation:** As a former Air Forces pilot, Rhodes has an expert grasp on aerodynamics and aircrafts. He has also is only person other than Tony Stark to be allowed to fly the Iron Man suit — even being given his own armor ("the War Machine") to use to assist Stark. Of course, as he worked on the design of the Quinjet, he's more than qualified to fly one of those too. In case you're wondering, his driving record is spotless.

### Director's Value: 6

* **War Machine:** "Due to Rhodes' past service, I'm comfortable granting this level of clearance."

## Trivia and Notes

### Notes

* James Rhodes resides in Subsidiary-Reality M, within Murum Locus.
* War Machine is a character originating from *Marvel Comics*.
* Rhodey having a limp is a nod to his Marvel Cinematic Universe counterpart following the events of *Captain America: Civil War* film.

## Gallery

James Rhodes.jpgJames RhodesSponsorship Needed - Male.pngWar Machine
## Fury Files

Fury Files Jim Rhodes.jpgFury Files: Jim Rhodes

## Links and References

* Appearances of James Rhodes

1. ↑ Fury Files: Jim Rhodes