Sunday, April 20, 2014
Thursday, September 5, 2013
RETRO REVIEW: Iron Man #149 (Aug. 1981)
Art by John Romita Jr. (Pencils), Bob Layton (Inks) & Bob Sharon (Colors)
Story by David Michelinie (Co-Plotter & Script) & Bob Layton (Co-Plotter)
Perhaps the most famous Iron Man story, certainly the best known during Michelinie & Layton's run, is the Demon In A Bottle story arc. I agree that story further defined Tony Stark and solidified him as a major comic book character, but it's still not my favorite IM story. I much prefer Doomquest. Which was basically a time travel story, an action-adventure story and a battle of good and evil story all in one. Doom & Iron Man are sent to medieval times to do battle. But that all happens in Iron Man #150. This issue is the catalyst to that. Let's get started.
(WARNING: Contains Language Not Approved By The Comics Code Authority!)
We begin our story on the open seas where a ship full of Stark International parts is being hijacked by pirates who moonlight as outlaws in the old west.
When suddenly Iron Man man shows up (how'd he know about a hijacked shipment of Stark Int. parts--? Oh, right!) He says: "fuck your helicopter! I'm Iron Man!" and frees the hostages and rounds up the pirates.
Iron Man has the captain turn the ship around and head to the nearest port. Clearly there's something up with this ship and it's cargo. Iron Man flies off to his next battle: being Tony Stark and and recapping what happened in previous issues.
Okay, back to this issue. Tony's most pressing problem at the moment is a meeting with the board of directors.
Topic of the day quickly becomes what was with that shipment of potentially dangerous Stark Ind. parts on it's way to Latveria? And the ethics of a Stark Industries employee, Rodney Dangerfield's doppelganger.
Tony is not happy and promptly let's Dangerfield go with a nice severance package.
Meanwhile...Doctor Doom is visiting his old pal, Cagliostro, who's been teaching the "Mad Monarch" the ways of Dark Magik. Eventually the matter of payment comes up and old Cagliostro learns a lesson of his own: Don't fuck with Doom.
But, as Luke Cage knows, Doom is a man of his word and a carrier of mini treasure chests. 'Cagllio get's paid and Doom returns to his own time in Latveria, several centuries in the future.
Upon his return home, Doom learns about his cancelled order of Stark Ind. parts from his chief scientist, Dr. Hauptmann. Doom should have ordered through Amazon.com.
Back in New York, Iron Man is waiting at the evacuated Stark Ind. docks on Long Island Sound. Knowing Doom or his Doombots will show up for the package Doom ordered, Iron man is on the lookout for an attack. Unfortunately he was looking in the wrong direction.
Instead of politely asking if Doom's package might have gotten lost in a warehouse, the Doombots decide to play hardball, to Iron Man's dismay.
Needless to say, Iron Man lost that round and Doom's parts are on their way to Latveria. So what can a Genius-Billionaire-Philanthropist do but take a "business trip" to Latveria himself. Thanks to Rhodey, Tony gets into the country and prepares to crack some heads with the help of Iron Man.
Iron Man finds the secret entrance to Doom's castle and eventually confronts Doom himself. Doom isn't too happy Iron Showed up unannounced. But Iron Man isn't taking "no" for an answer.
This causes Doom to throw up some next level gang signs and soon an avalanche is coming out of his metal fingers.
Iron Man breaks free from his rocky tomb and Doom and Iron man take their fight to Doom's laboratory. The two pound on each other while scientists scatter.
The fight continues as they land on Doom's time cube which suddenly turns on. Obviously this causes Doom and IM some concern.
Little did they know Dr. Hauptmann was at the controls. A little back story on Dr. Hauptmann, you see Doom killed his brother in Fantastic Four #85 and has been grudgingly serving Doom until he could find a way to get his revenge. He's also not too fond of Iron Man for some reason.
So that's it. The set-up for my favorite Iron Man story. Hopefully I'll find a copy of #150 of my own and review it as well. As for this issue, it's pretty good. I mean it's no Doom and Iron man leading armies in the time of King Arthur, but it's got plenty of good action and great dialogue. It also sets up the rivalry between Doom and the Iron Avenger that would be re-visited in stories to come. 8/10
Sunday, February 17, 2013
My Favorites Of My Comics Collection
For My Full Collection Visit my Tumblr
The Mighty Thor #182 (November 1970)
The Prisoner, The Power and Dr. Doom
Art by John Buscema
Story by Stan Lee
The Amazing Spider-Man #346 (April 1991)
V Is For Vile, Vengeance And Venom!
Art by Erik Larsen & Rick Parker
Story by David Michelinie
The Amazing Spider-Man #317 (July 1989)
Cover & Art by Todd McFarlane
Story by David Michelinie
The Amazing Spider-Man #194 (July 1979)
Never Let The Black Cat Cross Your Path!
Art by Keith Pollard & Frank Giacoia
Story by Marv Wolfman
Fantastic Four #258 (September 1983)
Art & Story by John Byrne
Giant-Size Super-Stars #1 (May 1974)
Art by Rich Buckler
Story by Gerry Conway
Power Man #37 (November 1976)
Cage Enraged Like You’ve Never Seen Him!
Art by Ron Wilson & A Bradford
Story by Marv Wolfman
Doctor Strange #4 (October 1974)
Doctor Strange Meets…Death!
Art by Frank Brunner
Story by Steve Engleheart
Secret Wars #11 (March 1985)
The Face Of Doom!
Art by Mike Zeck & Joe Rosen
Story by Jim Shooter
Fantastic Four #296 (November 1986)
25th Anniversary Issue
Cover & Art by Barry Windsor-Smith, Vince Colletta, Kerry Gammill, Ron Frenz, Bob Wiacek, Al Milgrom, John Buscema, Steve Leialoha, Marc Silvestri, Joe Rubinstein, Jerry Ordway and Joe Sinnott
Story by Stan Lee and Jim Shooter
The FLASH #174 (November 1967)Art and Cover by Carmine Infantino & Sid Greene
Story by John Broom
The Amazing Spider-Man #314 (April 1989)
"HO, HO, HO?!"
Cover & Art by Todd McFarlane
Story by David Michelinie
The Defenders #27 (September 1975)
Three Wolds To Conquer!
Art by Sal Buscema & V. Colletta
Story by Steve Gerber
The Invincible Iron Man #106 (January 1977)
"LAST STAND AT STARK INTERNATIONAL!"
Cover & Art by George Tuska and Mike Esposito
Story by Bill Mantlo
Batman #451 (Late July 1990)
Cover & Art by Jim Aparo and Mike Decarlo
Story by Marv Wolfman
Fantasy Masterpieces #8 (July 1980)Starring The Silver Surfer
Cover & Art by John Buscema and Dan Adkins
Story by Stan Lee and John Buscema
Contest Of Champions #1 (June 1982)
When Heroes Gather...
Art by John Romita Jr.
Story by Bill Mantlo
Fantastic Four #30 (March 1971)
Behold A Distant Star!
Art by Jack Kirby
Story by Stan Lee
Action Comics #397 (Febuary 1971)"The Secret Of The Wheel-Chair Superman"
Art by Swan E. Anderson
Story by Leo Dorfman
X-Men #205 (May 1986)
Art by Barry Windsor-Smith
Story by Chris Claremont
Batman #220 (March 1970)
"THIS MURDER HAS BEEN PRE-RECORDED!"
Cover & Art by Irv Novick and Dick Giordano
Story by Frank Robbins
Fantastic Four #268 (July 1984)
"The Masque Of Doom!"
Story & Art by John Byrne
The Mighty Thor #262 (August 1977)
Cover by B/S
Art by Walt Simonson and Tony DeZuniga
Story by Len Wein
The Uncanny X-Men #258 (February 1990)
"ACTS OF VENGENCE!"
Cover & Art by Jim Lee and Scott Williams
Story by Chris Claremont
Jungle Action Featuring: The Black Panther #13 (January 1975)
"WRATH OF THE WHITE GORILLA!"
Cover & Art by Billy Graham and Craig Russell
Story by Don McGregor
Contest Of Champions #3 (August 1982)
“AND THE WINNER…DEATH!”
Cover & Art by John Romita Jr. and Pablo Marcos
Story by Mark Gruenwald, Steve Grant and Bill Mantlo
The Punisher War Journal #8 (June 1989)
Cover & Art by Jim Lee
Story by Carl Potts
The Amazing Spider-Man #333 (June 1990)
Art by Erik Larson
Story by David Michelinie
Spawn #8 (February 1993)
Cover & Art by Todd McFarlane
Story by Alan Moore
Jungle Action #11 (September 1974)...And Death Makes Three!
Art by Billy Graham & Klaus Janson
Story by Don McGregor
Action Comics #560 (October 1984)
Art by Alex Saviuk & Dave Hunt
Story by Paul Kupperbers
The Invaders Annual #1 (1977)
Art by Frank Robbins & Frank Springer
Story by Roy Thomas
Action Comics #565 (March 1985)
Art by Kurt Schaffenberger
Story by Mort Todd
Ghost Rider #1 (May 1990)
A Spirit Reborn!
Art by Javier Saltares & Mark Texeira
Story by Howard Mackie
X-Force #15 (October 1992)
And Only One Will Walk Away
Art by Greg Capullo & Al Milgrom
Story by Fabian Nicieza
The Transformers #2 (November 1984)
Optimus Prime VS. Megatron
Art by Frank Springer & Kim DeMulder
Story by Jim Salicrup & Bill Mantlo
The Invincible Iron Man #66 (February 1973)
Night Of The Thunder God!
Art by George Tuska & Mike Esposito
Story by Mike Friedrich
The Amazing Spider-Man #345 (March 1991)
Venom Lives!
Art by Mark Bagley & Randy Emberlin
Story by David Michelinie
Web Of Spider-Man Annual #1 (1985)
Art by Tony Salmons
Story by Ann Nocenti
Fantastic Four #330 (September 1989)
Art by Rick Buckler
Story by John Harkness
Secret Wars #4 (August 1984)
Art by Bob Layton & John Beatty
Story by Jim Shooter
World's Finest #167 (June 1967)
Read The NEW Superman-Batman Team!
Cover & Art by George Klein and Curt Swan
Story by Cary Bates
Justice League Of America #81 (June 1970)
Cover & Art by Dick Dillin and Joe Giella
Story by Denny O’Neil
Detective Comics #458 (April 1976)
Cover by Ernie Chua
Art by Jose L. Garcia Lopez
Story by Elliot Maggin
The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 (1987)
Special Wedding Issue!
Cover by John Romita
Art by Paul Ryan & Vince Colletta
Story by David Michelinie
Fantastic Four #58 (January 1967)
The Dismal Dregs Of Defeat!
Art by Jack Kirby
Story by Stan Lee
The Amazing Spider-Man #315 (May 1989)
Hydro Man Wins At Last!
Cover & Art by Todd McFarlane
Story by David Michelinie
The Punisher War Journal #9 (October 1989)
Dream Time With The Black Widow!
Cover & Art by Jim Lee
Story by Carl Potts
Jungle Action #6 (September 1973)
The Man Called Kill-Monger!
Art by Rich Buckler & Klaus Janson
Story by Don McGregor
The Defenders #37 (July 1976)
Cover & Art by Sal Buscema and Klaus Janson
Story by Steve Gerber
Power Man #34 (August 1976)
“Murder Times Two!”
Art by Frank Robbins
Story by Don McGregor
Spider-Man Versus Wolverine #1 (February 1987)
Cover & Art by Mark Bright and Al Williamson
Story by James C. Owsley
The Incredible Hulk #228 (October 1978)
Murder Is A Maid Called Moonstone
Art by Buscema & McLeod
Story by Stern & Gillis
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #137 (April 1971)
Cover, Art & Story by Jack “King” Kirby
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