Iron Man: How [Spoiler]'s Shocking Return Changes Everything for Tony Stark

In the recent issue of Iron Man #9, a shocking twist has emerged that will change everything for Tony Stark. The identity of the new Citizen V has been revealed as Tony Stark's old friend and bodyguard, Happy Hogan. This surprising revelation comes as Iron Man and Citizen V face off against two versions of Whiplash, Mark Scarlotti and Anton Vanko.

Happy, who was seemingly killed during the Civil War crossover in 2006, has been dead in the comics until now. IGN spoke with Joshua Williamson, the writer behind this shocking twist, to learn more about why now was the right time to bring Happy Hogan back to life. Williamson explains that it was the right time because of where Tony Stark is emotionally in this run.

Tony has been through so much and needed a ghost from his past to haunt him. Happy and Tony's friendship, which was heartbreaking for Tony when he died, is the reason why Happy was brought back. The character of Happy Hogan has always been a player in the series, but this reveal was one of the first questions Williamson asked when he started working on the series.

It was in the pitch from the very start, and it does impact how Tony sees his own history. Happy is someone who has no issue calling Tony and his actions out, and he will play a major role in the 'Incarcerated Iron Man' arc that begins in #12.