15 greatest sidekicks in comic book history

7. War Machine

James Rhodes is one of Tony Stark’s oldest friends who has been by his side throughout his comic book history. Together, he and Tony served in the U.S. Army and fought together during the Vietnam War in the early comics. When Tony became Iron Man he hired James as his pilot and chief of Stark Industries aviation department.

As War Machine, James fought alongside Iron Man in some of his greatest battles, however he’s become a hero in his own right. When Tony reverted to alcoholism, James would take the mantle as Iron Man for a time.

As Iron Man, he would become an Avenger and founder of the West Coast Avengers. War Machine’s popularity as a solo hero far exceeds his as a sidekick which is why he isn’t rated high on the list. In fact, War Machine almost had a solo movie. The hero has been depicted by two different actors in the MCU, first by Terrance Howard then Don Cheadle who can be seen in the upcoming Avengers movie Infinity War. Despite him being more of a hero in own own right, Rhodey has always been depicted as someone who will fight side by side with his friend, Tony Stark.