James Rhodes <WIP>

Colonel James Rupert Rhodes (a.k.a. War Machine)

Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes is a member of the Avengers and an officer with the U.S. Airforce.

He attended M.I.T. where he met and befriended a young Tony Stark. Due to this friendship, he was appointed as liaison between the Department of Aquisitions and Stark Industries.

When Stark was kidnapped by the Ten Rings, Rhodes personally led the mission to rescue him.

After Stark took the mantle of Iron Man, Rhodes soon aquired a suit of his own, taking the identity of first Iron Patriot, and later War Machine, using an upgraded armour custom built for him by Stark. As War Machine, he initially continued to work with the Air Force, but following the Ultron offensive he retired from the service, becoming a full time Avenger.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

As a professional superhero, Rhodey keeps himself extremely fit. However, as he approaches 50, he is beginning to find he can't maintain the activity levels he has previously. He is long-sighted and wears glasses for reading.

Special abilities

Rhodes was trained in hand-to-hand combat while in the military. After joining the Avengers full-time, he was further trained by Bucky Barnes and Bobbi Morse. He is also a skilled marksman, and has been trained in the use of various hand-held firearms, as well as in the weapons built-in to his Suit.

Specialized Equipment

The War Machine Armour - currently the Mark VI

Mental characteristics

Personal history

James Rhodes met Tony Stark at M.I.T., where the two of them became best friends, forming an affectionate rivalry that would last their entire lives.

After graduation, Rhodes joined the U.S. Air Force, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Due to his continued friendship with Stark, he also became the liaison between Stark Industries and the Armed Forces.

He was with Stark in Afghanistan when the Ten Rings attacked, kidnapping Stark, and Rhodes personally led several attempted rescue missions, even after the official verdict was that he would not be found alive. His persistance was rewarded when he did eventually suceed, finding Tony and the remains of his first armour in the desert.

Although he was concerned by Tony's decision to stop manufacturing weapons, and to become Iron Man, he stood by him. However, when Rhodes learned from General Ross that Tony was harbouring a fugitive the two fought, culminating in Rhodes taking one of the prototype Suits, providing it to the military to study against Tony's wishes.

The military hired Justin Hammer to weaponise the suit, adding a variety of firearms and other weapons to the design.

However, during an Stark Expo presentation for Hammer Industries' Hammer Drones, Hammer used controls he had added to the suit to control it, making Rhodey appear to attack Hammer himself. With the help of Iron Man (and Clint Barton, who had been working undercover at Stark Industries) Rhodes was able to regain control of his suit, and he and Tony prevailed against the Drones and Hammer himself.

The next day, Rhodes recieved a call from Bruce Banner, asking for help. Rhodes transported Bruce and the critically injured Betty Ross to New York, and assisted during the fight against Abomination. In the aftermarth of the event, Rhodes resigned himself to Bruce's presence in Tony's home, and the two even managed to become friends.

Rhodes assisted the Avengers during the Chitauri Invasion, although he did not become an official member of the Avengers until the fight against the Worthy.

Rhodes also assisted the Avengers during the Ultron Offensive, after which he formally retired from military service to become a full-time Avenger, becoming one of the trainers and mentors to the less experienced members of the team, earning him the nickname of "team dad" from the younger heroes.

Due to his military history, as well as his status as an Avenger, Rhodes was appointed the liaison between the U.S. Government and New Attilan following the Inhuman exodus.

Gender Identity

Cisman

Sexuality

He simply identifies as straight and is happy with that label, although thanks to his fellow Avengers educating him about their own identities, he's aware that he is on the aromantic spectrum

Education

Masters degree in aerospace engineering from M.I.T.

Employment

Formerly a Colonel with the U.S. Air Force. Currently an Avenger, and Government liaison to New Attilan.

Accomplishments & Achievements

He was a highly decorated officer, recieving a number of medals, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the 3 Meritorious Service Medal awards, 2 Air Medal awards, 3 Aerial Achievement Medal awards, 3 Outstanding Unit Awards, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and 2 Air Force Commendation Medal awards. He served during the First Gulf War, and was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal by the government of Kuwait.

Intellectual Characteristics

Rhodes is a tactical thinker. He enjoys games of strategy - he was a member of the chess club at M.I.T. and enjoys real time strategy games.

Although people tend to forget it when he's standing next to a genius inventor, he is also an engineer. Combined with his tactical mind, this means he tends to approach problems in a very logical ordered way.

Morality & Philosophy

Although he has retired, he remains a military man at heart. He believes in a clear chain of command, accountability to one's superiors, and values patriotism. He believes strongly that you should do the job in front of you to the best of your abilities, and doesn't tend to think especially deeply about the underlying politics of the job.

Personality Characteristics

Likes & Dislikes

He can be a bit of a fussy eater, and will usually only try new foods if someone else pushes him into it. He hates avocado and olives in particular, which is the subject of an argument he and Tony have been having for 15 years and counting.

He listens primarily to R&B from the 80s and 90s, but music isn't particularly important to him.
He prefers serious movies to blockbusters, and is often teased for his supposed crush on Meryl Streep because of his enjoyment of her movies. He does enjoy comedy, but is very picky about what he watches.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Good friends with Vision

Family Ties

Rhodes has one sister, Jeanette, and a niece. He doesn't see them as often as he thinks he should, but he does regularly visit his parents.

Religious Views

Christian (Baptist)

Hobbies & Pets

He enjoys RTS games, and is still playing Age of Empires II despite it being nearly 20 years old. He reads a lot, usually non-fiction.
He does not have any pets, but considers the fish in the New Avengers facility his personal responsibility.

Relationships

Bruce Banner <WIP>

co-worker (Important)

Towards James Rhodes <WIP>

Frank

James Rhodes <WIP>

co-worker (Important)

Towards Bruce Banner <WIP>

Frank

History

Although Rhodey is initially afraid the Bruce's presence would put Tony in danger, they bonded during the revised version of Hulk, and became good friends.