So Shuri is smarter than Tony Stark?
Well, you can bet no one will be happier to find that out than Tony Stark. He’s a FUTURIST - and a future full of genius women and men, each building upon the genius of those who went before them, is the wished-for ideal of futurism. Look at his relationships with Riri Williams in the comics, and with Harley Keener and Peter Parker in the MCU: all kids who are utter geniuses and could surpass Tony as they grow into their genius, if they haven’t already. He loves them and guides them and hopes they will be, in his words, better than him.
You think Tony Stark has some kind of jealous ego? (The man hardly has any real ego left; it’s all a cover for his inner self-doubt and fear for the world…) The only “tech giants” he despises are posers like Justin Hammer. Tony Stark is the consummate teacher, and if the pupil surpasses the teacher – well, that’s the great teacher’s goal. If he finds a genius who matches or surpasses him (remember his insta-bond with his Science Bro Bruce Banner) he’ll bond with them immediately– they speak the same language. They can communicate and build stuff together.
He will love it that Shuri, in her words, is smarter than he is – he’ll love that she’s confident in saying it, and I hope they get a chance to collaborate together on wicked-smart plans to help save the world. The comics need more genius heroes – especially women; especially women of color.
