It could be a plot device to create drama or tension within the story. Maybe Howard was distracted or had some sort of confusion that led to the mistake.
Perhaps Howard had a moment of mental lapse or was under the influence of something that affected his perception. Another possibility is that there was a misunderstanding or a set of circumstances that made him wrongly identify Tony as Maria.
Maybe Howard was under a lot of stress or had some sort of memory lapse that led to this mistake. Or it could be part of a magical or alternate reality scenario.
Maybe it's because of some past misunderstandings or conflicts that haven't been resolved.
Yes, in some Avengers fanfictions, authors like to create alternate universes or timelines where Howard and Maria are still alive. This can lead to very interesting plot developments, such as Howard contributing his scientific genius in new ways and Maria being involved in the Avengers' world more directly.
In many Avengers fanfictions, their fate varies. Some writers keep them alive to explore new plotlines, while others might use their supposed deaths to drive the story in a different direction.
It depends on the specific fanfiction. Some stories have Howard conducting experiments on Tony, while others don't touch on this plotline at all.
Yes, in some fanfictions, Howard is depicted as abusive to Tony, adding a darker layer to their relationship.
Steve might compare Tony to Howard based on their personalities or leadership styles. Maybe he points out similarities or contrasts in their decision-making.
It really depends on the specific fanfiction. Some writers might explore such a dark and controversial theme, while others won't. Fanfiction is highly diverse and can take all kinds of creative directions.
In many such fanfictions, Howard might be shown as verbally or emotionally abusing Tony, constantly criticizing and belittling him.
Maybe he thinks it distorts the real story of the Avengers. Fanfiction often takes the original story and characters in unexpected directions, which might not sit well with him.