Mar 1, 1979 CE
First Appearance in Iron Man #118
James Rhodes is introduced as Tony Stark's personal pilot and friend. #Marvel #comics
Chronological Storyline (44 Milestones)
Aug 1, 1980 CE
Rhodes Becomes Tony Stark's Pilot
Rhodes is established as a former US Marine pilot and Tony's trusted ally. #Marvel #comics
Feb 1, 1983 CE
First Dons Iron Man Armor
When Tony Stark is incapacitated, Rhodes takes the Iron Man armor to protect Stark Industries. #Marvel #comics
May 1, 1984 CE
Becomes Official Iron Man Substitute
Rhodes takes over as Iron Man while Tony battles alcoholism. #Marvel #comics
Jul 1, 1985 CE
Armor Wars Conflict
Rhodes is caught in Tony's conflict with other armored villains. #Marvel #comics
Dec 1, 1986 CE
Debuts as War Machine in Iron Man #282
Rhodes upgrades his armor with heavy weaponry, becoming War Machine. #Marvel #comics
Mar 1, 1987 CE
First Solo Series: War Machine #1
War Machine gets his own ongoing series, focusing on military missions. #Marvel #comics
Jun 1, 1988 CE
Joins Force Works
Rhodes becomes a member of the superhero team Force Works. #Marvel #comics
Sep 1, 1989 CE
Acts of Vengeance Involvement
War Machine fights against various villains during the Acts of Vengeance event. #Marvel #comics
Nov 1, 1990 CE
War Machine Vol. 2 Begins
A second ongoing series launches, exploring Rhodes' military past. #Marvel #comics
Apr 1, 1991 CE
Operation: Galactic Storm
War Machine participates in the Kree-Shi'ar War crossover. #Marvel #comics
Aug 1, 1992 CE
Infinity War Tie-In
Rhodes battles Thanos' doppelgangers in the Infinity War event. #Marvel #comics
Jan 1, 1993 CE
Joins the Avengers
War Machine becomes a reserve member of the Avengers. #Marvel #comics
May 1, 1994 CE
Age of Apocalypse Crossover
War Machine appears in the alternate reality event. #Marvel #comics
Oct 1, 1995 CE
Onslaught Event
War Machine fights the psychic entity Onslaught. #Marvel #comics
Mar 1, 1996 CE
Heroes Reborn Appearance
Rhodes appears in the Heroes Reborn universe. #Marvel #comics
Jul 1, 1997 CE
War Machine Vol. 3
A third series begins, with Rhodes working for the U.S. government. #Marvel #comics
Dec 1, 1998 CE
Secret Invasion Prelude
Rhodes investigates Skrull infiltrations. #Marvel #comics
Apr 1, 1999 CE
Avengers: The Korvac Saga
War Machine joins the Avengers against Korvac. #Marvel #comics
Aug 1, 2000 CE
Maximum Security Event
War Machine defends Earth from alien threats. #Marvel #comics
Nov 1, 2001 CE
War Machine Joins the Initiative
Rhodes becomes part of the Fifty State Initiative. #Marvel #comics
Jun 1, 2002 CE
Civil War: War Machine
Rhodes sides with the pro-registration faction. #Marvel #comics
Feb 1, 2003 CE
Secret Invasion: War Machine
Rhodes fights Skrulls in a solo mini-series. #Marvel #comics
Sep 1, 2004 CE
Dark Reign: War Machine
Rhodes operates as a vigilante during Norman Osborn's rule. #Marvel #comics
May 1, 2005 CE
War Machine: Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Rhodes works for S.H.I.E.L.D. as a special operative. #Marvel #comics
Jan 1, 2006 CE
Avengers: The Initiative Tie-In
War Machine trains new heroes. #Marvel #comics
Aug 1, 2007 CE
World War Hulk Involvement
War Machine fights the Hulk's Warbound. #Marvel #comics
Apr 1, 2008 CE
Secret Invasion: War Machine Mini-Series
A mini-series focusing on Rhodes' role in the Skrull invasion. #Marvel #comics
Nov 1, 2009 CE
War Machine Vol. 4 Begins
A new ongoing series by Greg Pak. #Marvel #comics
Mar 1, 2010 CE
Siege of Asgard
War Machine participates in the Siege event. #Marvel #comics
Jul 1, 2011 CE
Fear Itself: War Machine
Rhodes battles the Serpent's forces. #Marvel #comics
May 1, 2012 CE
Avengers vs. X-Men
War Machine sides with the Avengers. #Marvel #comics
Jan 1, 2013 CE
Marvel NOW! Relaunch
War Machine appears in Iron Man and Avengers titles. #Marvel #comics
Sep 1, 2014 CE
Original Sin: War Machine
Rhodes investigates a murder mystery. #Marvel #comics
Jun 1, 2015 CE
Secret Wars: War Machine
War Machine appears in the Battleworld event. #Marvel #comics
Apr 1, 2016 CE
Civil War II: War Machine
Rhodes is killed in action by Thanos. #Marvel #comics
Feb 1, 2017 CE
Resurrection in Secret Empire
Rhodes is resurrected by the Cosmic Cube. #Marvel #comics
Aug 1, 2018 CE
War Machine Returns in Avengers
Rhodes rejoins the Avengers after resurrection. #Marvel #comics
Nov 1, 2019 CE
War Machine: Iron Patriot
Rhodes takes on the Iron Patriot mantle. #Marvel #comics
Mar 1, 2020 CE
Empyre: War Machine
War Machine fights the Cotati. #Marvel #comics
Jul 1, 2021 CE
King in Black: War Machine
Rhodes battles Knull's symbiotes. #Marvel #comics
Jan 1, 2022 CE
War Machine: Reboot Mini-Series
A new mini-series explores Rhodes' legacy. #Marvel #comics
May 1, 2023 CE
Fall of X: War Machine
War Machine appears in the X-Men crossover. #Marvel #comics
Sep 1, 2024 CE
War Machine: Armored Avenger
A new ongoing series launches. #Marvel #comics