Freefalling to Rock Bottom! Marvel Comics HQ circa 1975. Specifically the office of Editor-in-Chief Len Wein. “Hi Boss! You wanted to see me?” “Yeah, Mike.” Brows furrowed, he motions to the freelance writer. “Come in and close the door.” “Sure thing.” Once that’s done, he begins, “Hey, what’s up with the latest issue of Iron Man? Where’s the conclusion to that Black Lama story?” “Well, uh,” Mike starts fidgeting, “I needed more time to figure it all out. But instead of

A Train Wreck in Progress… Late in the night at “Perfidy & Pints” - a secluded supervillain bar in 1975… “Octavius! Over here! Quick!” “Huh?” the bewildered bad guy’s gaze falls upon several fellow felons. “Red Ghost. Baron Mordo. What’s going on?” “This way, comrade!” hisses the Soviet Schemer, “And keep your head down.” A moment later, the six-armed antagonist is seated and asks, “What’s going on?” “Keep your head down,” whispers Baron Mordo. “See that fool in the ho

Disappointment - Thy Name is Iron Man #73! “Before we launch into this week’s review, I have with me Alex Nevsky, the Crimson Dynamo, long-time Iron Man opponent and featured villain in this issue. First, I want to thank you for agreeing to this interview, Mr. Nevsky. It’s been quite a few years since anyone’s heard from you.” “That is true." “So where have you been all these years? Word was that the KGB had assassinated you after the next issue of Iron Man.” “Well, after

Please Don't Hate Me, But... I did not like this issue. Not because I was a sour, humorless kid. Indeed, I would say that as an eighth grader, I could giggle with guttural abandon that Beavis and/or Butthead would starve to have. No, my problem with Iron Man #72 had zippo to do with my favorite hero appearing at the San Diego Comic Book Convention and all it's fun cameos and tidbits of humor. Instead, my ire once again zeroed in on missed opportunities and sloppy character

“It's the single best issue of Avengers ever done” Those are the words of former Avengers writer Kurt Busiek in the comments of Tom Brevoort’s excellent blog, The Tom Brevoort Experience regarding Giant-Size Avengers #2. He’ll have no argument from me on that assessment. It’s an outstanding comic book with everything from Hawkeye’s return to help free his teammates from Kang the Conqueror to the incredible reveal of Mantis as the Celestial Madonna to the sadly inevitable d

Grab A Bowl of Cereal for a Saturday Morning Adventure! “Spaaaaaace Ghoooooost!” I love Hanna-Barbera Superheroes! Space Ghost! Herculoids! Birdman & the Galaxy Trio! Mightor! Samson and Goliath! Those shows were what first turned me onto comic books as a kid. Indeed, part of the appeal of collecting comics at that time was that they reminded me of those animated adventures that were long gone from the Saturday mornings landscape by the early 70’s. Why am I bringing thi

Leaving My "Endangered" List! Iron Man #70 is a clear improvement over the past several issues if for no other reason than there is a whole heck of a lot that occurs between its covers. You’ve got the Mandarin versus The Claw with a fatal outcome for the loser. Then there’s the return of Ultimo - the blue robot with serious dental issues. By the issue’s end, Sunfire exchanges “Gullible” for another word to go in front of “Jerk. Then there’s an increasing intrigue for Marty

Meet ...The Nose!! The Avenger’s Mansion sometime after this issue… “Hey, Thor? Do you have a minute?” “Certainly, Iron Man. What is it that thou wish to discuss?” “Well, it seems that none of the Avengers want to make eye contact with me and when they start to, they suddenly start coughing and make an excuse to leave the room. Any idea what’s going on?” “Ah, mine noble comrade-in-arms, does thou not knowest that thine latest renderings of that awe-inspiring armor hath put

Worst Armor Revision Ever...By A Nose! While I like to have fun with my reviews, there is a serious topic we need to first discuss. The upcoming issues of Iron Man feature a villain who at that time was called “Yellow Claw.” Based on Fu Manchu, this villain has a long history at Marvel that predates 1961's Fantastic Four #1. I consider the name “Yellow Claw” to be both offensive and racist. Because of that, the character will be referred to solely as “The Claw” in this an

Iron Man Moves to My “Endangered List”! Iron Man #67 proves a sad, and in many ways, needless disappointment. Sad because we see the return of a villain no one - not even his mother - wants to see return to these pages. But in my mind, the greatest shortcoming for this comic is the failure of the writer to drop any hints as to what's coming for this title. No, I don't mean that starting next issue Iron Man's armor will include that damned nose. What I do mean is that #68 i

We Visit A Courtroom in 1974… “Your Honor and members of this jury, I will show to each of you how Marvel Comics violated the copyright and licenses of my client’s character, The Green Lantern. Furthermore, it shall also be made equally clear that this was not a haphazard or careless accident, but instead a totally flagrant disregard of law as their version of the Lantern was prominent in not one or two, but four consecutive issues of Iron Man. Once I have shared with you a

Stuck Between a Rokk and a Rotten Comic! “Mommy! Rick said a bad word! I saw him reading a comic book and then saying the “s” word!” Having heard my younger sister calling out from the bottom of the stairs, I know what’s next. “Is that true?” Since I’m in my upstairs bedroom, I don’t have to look my determined mother in the eye for what I’m about to say next. “Of course not. What I actually said about this new issue of Iron Man is that it’s an absolute hit.” Knowing that

When your Rogues Gallery is as dreadful as Iron Man’s (we’re looking at you, Mr. Doll!), it’s perhaps understandable that our hero would unintentionally elevate the competency of any decent villain that makes an appearance in his series. And let’s face it. Over the years, Iron Man’s found multiple and even downright embarrassing ways to make several of his villains seem far more daunting than any reasonable comic book collector should have to accept. With that in mind, it’s

Blame It on the Booze! At least that’s the story behind Roy Thomas (Marvel) and Denny O’Neil (DC) coming up with the idea of having an unofficial crossover between the Avengers and Justice League of America. What originated at a party with liquid refreshments flowing like the Mississippi spilled over into both series in 1969. Although the JLA was more subtle about it, Roy Thomas dove in headfirst, creating the “Squadron Sinister” to challenge the Avengers. Without going too

We Guys Can Be Such Idiots! “Welcome to tonight’s episode of ‘We Guys Can Be Such Idiots!" Our guests are Mark Scarlotti (AKA Whiplash) and Happy Hogan, husband of Pepper Hogan. We’re here to talk about their actions in Iron Man #61 and #62. “I’m going to start with you, Mark. In issue #62, you’re working under the alias of Mark Scott, having a high-paying position at Stark Industries’ Cincinnati facility as well as being engaged to the plant’s manager, Vicki Snow. Yet yo

Iron Man's Most Overrated Villain? Does anyone remember looking really forward to meeting someone only to have them truly disappoint you? That was me with Firebrand in the early spring of 1973. I mean, when I rejoined this book, it seemed that his name came up every other panel. “Firebrand knocked out the FM reception in my armor” or “I now only eat my steaks well-done after facing the intense heat from Firebrand.” Our guy seemed to be going through PTSD because of this dud

“Mandarin and the Unicorn: Double-Death!” I Dare You to Say "The Unicorn" Three Times Without Laughing! Before I start this review, let’s get all the laughing and snickers out of our system. Yeah, I know one of our villains is called The Unicorn. But I’ve got an entire issue to cover. So, I’m going to say “The Unicorn” several times and wait until we’re all done laughing before moving on. Done? Hold it! I see you, Greg. You’re still chucking over your coffee in Pewaukee,

Now For More Mediocrity! "C’mon Rick. It’s time to go work on your blog." "Don’t wanna." "But everyone’s waiting to hear your thoughts on Iron Man #57." "Don’t wanna do that one." "Why not? It has the Mandarin in it. That’s Iron Man’s number one villain." "Big deal. He’s stupid. I hate him. I wanted Controller, Moondragon and Thanos with Jim Starlin’s art." "Rick, we don’t always get what we want in life. You have a responsibility to those three people who have signed

Iron Man's "Lamest" Villain & Some Guy Named Jim Starlin “Good morning, Marvel. I’m the agent for the Black Lama and here to say that I think you really need to put him into one of your comic books. And let’s face it, you owe me after what you did to my client, Cyborg Sinister. That guy had potential and you know it.” “Alright, so what’s this Black Lama’s schtick? “He’s the leader of a mystic cult with followers around the world, trained to channel their emotions to gene

Was This Comic Worth A Busted Lip & Bloody Nose? I owe it all to my cousin Nick! Coming up from LA, he talked me into buying this comic. And why not? We were such great buds! At least until he beat the tar out of me after an argument. Absent my cousin’s coercions, I doubt Gil Kane’s cover would have sealed the deal. I needed more than a mean hippy melting Iron Man’s armor to sacrifice money that could buy me a few Three Musketeer bars. Fortunately, the actual comic pro