Review: Iron Man #54
- Rick Moore
- 1 hour ago
- 7 min read
A High-Water Mark Thanks to The Sub-Mariner & A Hot Bald Villainess !
Who knew that a comic book could be a “gateway drug?”
That’s exactly what Iron Man #54 was for me. Once I plunked down my two dimes for it back in late 1972, I unknowingly started down a path that became a bit more than a hobby for over four decades.
It started simple enough. Later that month, I grabbed the latest Amazing Spider-Man off the rack. Another month, Fantastic Four joined the party. By that next summer, add in Thor, Daredevil, the Avengers, Defenders and so on and on.
All because this issue absolutely rocked my twelve-year mind There was a hot bald lady! A mouthy computer! And best of all, my guy, my hero, traded punches with one of the toughest SOB's around!
Okay, I realize that there are some … issues with this issue. Those will be addressed in the synopsis. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. And why not? We have the first appearance of Moondragon - a character who’s had more twists and turns than a cyclist crossing the Alps. We had a pointy-headed Sub-Mariner - courtesy of touch ups from his creator Bill Everett. And we had Iron Man actually giving his unintended opponent all he could handle! Since I don’t want to give away the story yet, let’s find out what’s meant by “Sub-Mariner: Target for Death!”
Credits
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Pencils: George Tuska (with Bill Everett)
Inks: Vinnie Coletta
Letterer: Artie Simek
Editor: Roy Thomas
Cover Art: Gil Kane
Release Date: October 3, 1972
Synopsis
Note to Gil Kane: That truly dazzling cover so puts you back into my good graces! The energy conveyed in Subby’s punch has my jaw ache every time I see it! Although not as stellar, both George Tuska and Vince Coletta offer yet another excellent splash page with Iron Man heading north from sunny California to Seattle! (Living in western Oregon, it was all I could do as a kid not to watch outside my upstairs window to see if my hero flew over our town.)
But since Iron Man’s not likely to encounter Namor on that route, we’re then shown a submarine somewhere in the North Pacific launch a missile into the sky where it ultimately deposits a satellite. We then return to that sub where we find a talkative computer bantering with a striking bald lady who’s wearing a cape and pink swimsuit with matching boots and gloves. She wastes no time letting us know that she goes by “Madame MacEvil.” In mid-ramble, we also learn that the Submariner is the subject of her latest experiment and to prove it - she launches a missile at him!
Fortunately, the missile just misses him. Unfortunately, it does explode upon impact with an iceberg, causing serious damage to a passage ocean vessel.
Before this issue, my only exposure to the Sub-Mariner was seeing this crabby-looking guy on the covers of his comic book when I flipped through the racks at Dee’s Market. Because of that, I wasn’t sure how he’d respond to those surface dwellers now struggling in his ocean. But he quickly rescued the crew, telling them as he left that they’re on their own from here. Kinda cold, but so long as their radio works, I thought it would work out.
With the Submariner tracking the orange trail of that missile, the bad bald lady then uses that just launched satellite to take control of Iron Man’s armor, bringing him to her surfacing sub. Being a comic book, regardless of distances covered and their relative speed, both Iron Man and the Sub-Mariner arrive at exactly the same time!
Thanks to Madame MacEvil’s control of his armor, Iron Man’s first action is to deliver a good right cross to Namor. Although he tries to explain himself, his rather hot-tempered fellow superhero isn’t having any of it. Of course, in hindsight, I may have suggested to Tony that he could have warned the Sub-Mariner beforehand that he’s not in control of his armor.
To no one’s surprise, Namor hits the drink with Iron Man following. The problem is that someone forgot to tell Madame MacEvil to seal his eye and mouth slots. Two blows from the Sub-Mariner later has Iron Man sinking to the bottom. This gives her and her annoying computer a couple panels to bicker at one another before they fix the problem.
With that problem solved, we’re back to full-fight mode. Although I immensely enjoyed seeing Iron Man hold his own against Namor, I have to admit that I’d view this fight a tad different if it were the Sub-Mariner who was my favorite superhero. In reality, he is one of Marvel’s most powerful characters, having taken on the likes of the Thing, Thor and the Hulk - all three of whom punch above Iron Man’s weight class. Worse, most of this fight occurs under water where Subby is at the peak of his strength. Added to that, our hero is attempting to break the control over his armor. This no doubt slows his movements. All of which means that in reality, this fight should have lasted a page or two. But hey, four issues back, Iron Man struggled with a python. We’re due for a break.
Putting all that aside, we are treated to several pages of George Tuska and Vince Coletta choreographing a nice battle with both characters beating the stuffing out of one another. Not hurting the art one iota are the touched up renderings of the Sub-Mariner from his creator, Bill Everett. That meant seeing Namor with that totally cool flat head and pointed chin!
Back to the fight, Iron Man finally uses his repulsor ray - missing his opponent but conveniently zapping that ugly submarine.
Yep. Those same repulsors that couldn’t stop a chemically altered snake four issues back totally trash this massive sub. Even better, Iron Man is now freed from MacEvil’s control! While Iron Man clearly sees that the sinking submarine had something to do with what’s going on, a rather peeved Sub-Mariner’s more focused on flattening his opponent. Executing a lesser move of valor, Iron Man delivers one last right cross to Namor, buying time to exist stage left! We’re left with some grumbling from the Sub-Mariner about how he won’t forget this "unwarranted attack” - which he does because it never comes up again - and a final panel with the lovely Madame MacEvil promising revenge to both Iron Man and the Sub-Mariner.
We’re also told that next on the docket is … The Destroyer. I had no clue what that meant at that time, but yeah, the next issue is something of a milestone.
Story
This is definitely one of Mike Friedrich’s better issues. Aside from my quibbles about Namor traversing halfway around the globe so quickly and Iron Man holding his own when he really should be outmatched, this is essentially a fun, action-packed story where two heroes spend most of the issue beating each other up with a compelling new villain chewing up the scenery in each panel where she appears. I’m also curious as to how much Bill Everett contributed to this story. He was living with author Mike Friedrich at that time - seeking to rebuild his reputation so that he could return to Marvel.
Although Madame MacEvil's next appearance took a hard one-eighty, I also wonder what either Mike Friedrich or Bill Everett had in mind for her had she not been gobbled up by Jim Starlin and inserted into his delightful universe.
Oddly enough, this is the second straight issue without an appearance by Tony Stark and to my complete amazement, I did not really mind. 7/10
Art
Courtesy of some nice touches from Bill Everett on his creation, this is another solid outing from George Tuska and Vince Coletta. (And yes, sigh, that includes the standard disclaimer that Tuska’s art is not for everyone.) Both veteran artists know how to stage an engaging fight scene which they soundly deliver.
George Tuska will be off this book for the next couple issues - although absolutely no one in this segment of the multiverse will complain about his replacement. Vince Coletta also leaves with this issue, returning only sporadically in future issues. Which, unfortunately, had a detrimental impact on Tuska’s future pencils. In my mind, his art never quite recovers from there.
But that’s for future reviews. As for this issue, let’s go with 7/10.
Wimp Factor
Wimp Factor? Are you kidding! Our guy fought the effing Sub-Mariner to a standstill under the water for an entire issue! Dude deserves a victory lap! No moaning about his heart or lack of power. Only problem came with the baddies forgot to seal his facemask. Was he really struggling with a snake four issues back? (And no, it doesn’t look like I’m ever going to let go of that.) 0/10
Villain Rating
First off, we can’t call the Sub-Mariner a villain. But as an opponent, damn. He’s definitely the real deal. 9/10. Then there’s Madame MacEvil, lurking in the background as a rather enticing puppetmaster. She’s most certainly intriguing enough from both a visual and interpersonal perspective to want to see again. 7/10
Overall Rating
What can I say? In my opinion, this is the best issue since I began these reviews with issue #30. Even better - that designation won’t last long! 7/10
Additional Nuts & Bolts
Madame MacEvil returns by the following summer in Daredevil #105. I confess that I totally geeked out when I thought I recognized her in a shaded background scene two issues earlier. She went from that hot pink to a longer-lasting green variation of that provocative costume. The name “Madame MacEvil” was quickly discarded with her known going forward as Moondragon. Even better, she was given an outstanding origin drawn by Jim Starlin - initially intended for Iron Man #57. This additional background connected her to the upcoming first war against Thanos. Moondragon went on from there to become an Avenger ally, then opponent, then Defender, and bouncing around a whole lot over the decades from there. (I did not anticipate her stealing Margo from poor Rick Jones in a later Captain Marvel!). Whatever the story, you can count on Moondragon to be as visually appealing as she is annoying. I cannot wait for her inevitable arrival into the MCU!