This story kicks off with our supporting cast, Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts, quitting. Why, you ask? Well, Tony Stark has been missing for a month, with Iron Man running the show, and they don’t trust him. This picks up right where the last tale left off, following those lingering threads. But does it build upon them? And how does the Mandarin prove to be a threat this time around?

I also wanted to take a moment in this review to consider the thoughts left in the comments section of the last issue by the user Dangermash. His insights were on my mind as I read through this story.

Story

While Dangermash’s points helped me see some major flaws in the story, I still found myself enjoying the read. It’s good—just not amazing. This issue serves as a wrap-up to Stark’s mysterious absence, only for us to watch him get killed, with Pepper now more convinced than ever that Iron Man is the culprit. Is it a logical deduction? Perhaps. Flawed? Sure. But can anyone deny that Iron Man hasn’t been acting a little suspicious throughout this saga? In this issue, they do find Tony in bed, but their distrust of Iron Man persists. The moment of discovery is short-lived before Stark is zapped by a beam from the sky.

Characters & Development

Iron man

Our star sees little development here, and if anything, he regresses. The yo-yo nature of building up a character only to dial it back is common in comics, especially in this era. But it leaves me wondering: Will we end up with a new status quo, revert to the old one, or something else entirely? By the end of this issue, we don’t have that answer yet.

Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan

The way Happy and Pepper deal with Tony’s absence, and then his apparent death, offers growth for both characters. Happy’s emotions are particularly interesting, even if masked by Silver Age dialogue. It’s something relatable.

Pepper’s growing distrust of Iron Man, spurred by his suspicious behavior, is compelling. She refuses to give up, pushing forward with determination. I respect that. However, while the supporting cast gets some solid development, I still feel like the story overall has taken a hit.

Originality & Continuity

In the long run, I have to concede to Dangermash’s comments on Iron Man’s dilemma. The problem feels rooted more in his mind now, compared to the days when his primary issue was keeping his chestplate on. The story is flawed.

That said, on an issue-by-issue basis, this fits well within the surrounding stories and is clearly setting up the next chapter. But here’s the problem: it’s stagnant. It’s essentially a bridge from where we were to where we’re headed, just sending Iron Man into yet another perilous situation without much forward motion.

Art

he artwork by Don Heck and Dick Ayers really does this issue justice. It’s probably what I enjoyed most. The way they capture the emotions and misdirection of this story elevates it, helping us overlook some of the narrative’s shortcomings.

Lets keep the conversation Going

I know its been some time, that I am back and forth just the same: I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree with the points Dangermash raised, or do you see this storyline in a different light? Does Iron Man’s behavior raise red flags for you too, or is there more going on beneath the surface?

Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation! Let’s keep the discussion going and dive deeper into what this issue is doing right, and where it might be missing the mark. I’m curious to hear your take on how the story, the art, and the character development hold up for you.