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Previews for upcoming Iron Man issues suggest that Patsy Walker’s Hellcat may be getting an Iron Cat suit. As Bleeding Cool reported earlier, Marvel has filed a couple of trademarks. Specifically, the publisher trademarked the term “Iron Cat” for use in print and digital comics. While there are a few contenders in the Marvel Universe for that moniker, recent events are pointing towards Walker suiting up.
Iron Cat…Like Iron Man?
Last year, Marvel introduced the world to Iron Cat. The character wore a grey and white armor suit, not unlike that of War Machine. In the very center of the chest was a pink cat head logo, further driving home the cat motif. To nobody’s surprise, the woman behind the Iron Cat suit turned out to be Felicia Hardy AKA Black Cat. The cat burglar stole the suit from Stark and spent a few issues dealing with the aftermath.
After Hardy’s short tenure in the Iron Cat suit, the suit and moniker were forgotten…until now.
Why Would Hellcat Wear an Iron Cat Suit?
Marvel has not revealed who will be donning the Iron Cat suit. They have made no announcements about the trademark and could simply be holding the rights for future projects. However, an upcoming comic event involving Iron Man and Hellcat makes the timing too coincidental.
As previously revealed, Tony Stark will be popping the question to Patsy Walker this May in Iron Man #20. While Walker’s answer is still a mystery, the release of Iron Man/Hellcat Annual #1 soon after may hint at a wedding in her future.
With Walker adopting the Stark name, she may also adopt the Stark way of being a superhero and wear a metal suit. After all, many of Stark’s associates and partners end up in an iron suit one way or another. So, Marvel trademarking the name Iron Cat right before the union of Hellcat and Iron Man seems too much of a coincidence. Plus, Patsy Walker’s Hellcat has really stepped up in this Iron Man series from Chris Cantwell. She has emerged from sidekick to full-fledged partner.
Only time will tell if Patsy Walker will go from Walker to Stark or from Hellcat to Iron Cat.