Review: Iron Man #62
- Rick Moore
- 52 minutes ago
- 7 min read
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 you throw all that away not only by pursuing a pointless vendetta against Iron Man but you also destroy the relationship you have with Ms. Snow simply because you want her position for the power and money, refusing to - and I quote - ‘take orders from a broad’.”
“Yeah,I wasn’t in the best of moods after Shellhead cleaned my clock..”
“I”m sure, but do you realize that had you remained with Vicki, both your incomes would have allowed you both a very comfortable lifestyle and more importantly, financial resources to afford the legal assistance needed to address your criminal past?”
“Well, when you put it like that…”
“Can we all agree that this is proof that ‘We Guys Can Be Such Idiots.’ As for you, Happy, in the previous issue, didn’t you send a telegram to your wife to let her know that you were leaving her?”
“I did. But she didn’t answer my phone calls.”
“Were you aware that she was dealing with a supervillain threatening to blow up Detroit?”
“No. But what’s wrong with a guy wanting his wife at home?”
“Happy, when you met Pepper, weren’t you a former boxer working as a chauffeur? And didn’t Pepper already have several degrees? Isn’t it fair to say that there’s no way your background can provide near the income Pepper can provide in her role as the executive secretary to one of the wealthiest men in the world?
“Further proof that ‘We Men Can Be Such Idiots.’ We have to break for a commercial now. When we come back, we bring in Tony Stark himself to ask why he spent so much time in the upcoming issues chasing the Annoying Hippy. Don’t go away!”
Iron Man #62 is a clear improvement over the previous two issues. Although Iron Man fails to fully regain his full heroic stature after the debacle with the Masked Marauder and his head flunky Steele - or was that the other way around? - at least some effort goes into making Whiplash a more credible threat.
Another plus are the pencils from guest artist Craig Russell. We’re early enough into this career that the “P” is lacking from the front of his name and that he has some assistance from old pro John Romita with the pencils. But overall, this fellow Oregonian offers an appealing change of pace from George Tuska.
Now it’s time to find out what happens when “Whiplash Returns!”
Credits
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Pencils: Craig Russell (with an assist from John Romita)
Inks: Mike Esposito & Frank Giacoia
Colorist: Stan Goldberg
Letterer: Artie Simek
Editor: Roy Thomas
Cover Art: Gil Kane & Frank Giacoia
Release Date: June 5, 1973
Synopsis
We go from an overly dramatic Gil Kane cover to a splash page with our villain getting in his practice reps on a statue of our hero. Although it’s been quite a few years since their path’s crossed, it’s clear that Whiplash carries a significant grudge and has put considerable effort into squaring accounts.
Of course Tony Stark and Pepper Hogan know nothing of this as they approach the Cincinnati's Stark Industries’ facility.
Whiplash watches them arrive, changing into his alias of Mark Scott - not exactly a bold departure from his real name of Mark Scarlotti. As for keeping a low profile, our villain did not get that memo either. He’s soon revealed to be the fiance of plant manager Vicki Snow whom he almost immediately embarrasses by stating that she’ll soon be minding his kitchen. A notably insensitive remark that wasn’t lost on Pepper who’s hubbie announced last issue that he was leaving her because she wouldn't quit working.
But there’s no time for apologies as Scott excuses himself so that he can change back into Whiplash and make his presence known. Which has me wondering how they don’t immediately recognize him? I mean, he just finished talking to all three of them and his costume covers only the top half of his head. Oh well, if a pair of glasses can fool a top-notch investigative reporter for decades, I suppose we just assume that Scott deepens his voice or something. And he can be grateful that he didn’t nick his chin saving that morning.
After telling Pepper and Vicki to get to safety, Tony changes into Iron Man. While a repulsor blast had taken the wind out of Whiplash’s sails when they last clashed back in Tales of Suspense #97, Iron Man’s surprised to find out that his opponent now absorbs that same energy. Worse, engaging immense suspensions of belief, our opponent is so fast and accurate with his whip that he destroys the repulsor rays emitters in both palms of Iron Man’s armor - no matter where he moves his hands. Uh yeah. I think I’ll stick with the glasses fooling the reporter.
Anyway, after dodging the whip for a a few panels, Iron Man finally grabs the whip - only to have the energy of his earlier repulsor blast returned to him. Ouch!
Our hero’s response to this is to … remove his gloves? For the second issue in a row?
Huh?
At least it impresses Vicki Snow who’s watching all this. And it does force Iron Man to use other weapons. After a failed attempt to blind Whiplash, Iron Man reaches deep into his bag of tricks for several magnetic disks that adhere to the villain’s weapon and pull its holder into a solid punch from the armored guy.
Although their fight doesn’t last three panels, it allows Whiplash up to act out Gil Kane’s cover.
This is also where Tony Stark quickly regrets removing his gloves with the metal cutting his his hands. Nor do Pepper or Vicki appear close enough to be any danger whatsoever. But that doesn’t stop Iron Man from wringing some good drama before tossing the machinery aside.
We reach our final page with Ms. Snow giving her fiancé his walking papers before ending with Whiplash back to work on shattering Iron Man statues. Before inquiring minds can ask where he gets those statutes - they can’t be cheap! - we’re told the next issue starts an epic with someone named Dr. Spectrum!
Story
Although far from perfect, this issue is an improvement over the Masked Marauder debacle. But man, it still had enough strains on credibility to show stretch marks. Everything from maintaining secret identities to Whiplash’s weapon being faster than Iron Man’s hands. And just how strong is Whiplash that he can deck Iron Man with a piece of metal in his hand or that he can bring down machinery that Iron Man struggles to lift?
Then there’s our guy being gloveless again? Thank heavens that stops after this issue!
Still, a step in the right direction that merits a score of 5/10.
Art
It’s clear by the art in this issue that Craig Russell’s got some more practice time on the drawing board before he starts securing those many awards in the future. I’m guessing that John Romita did a fair share of “touch ups” throughout this issue - and could have done more. Nonetheless, his work was interesting, showing hints of the potential that there was no question the guy was going places. Both Mike Esposito and Frank Giacoia do their part with the inks as well. 6/10
Wimp Factor
Another rough showing for our hero. While battling a villain who had prepared to the extent that Whiplash had and to do so in close quarters worked against Iron Man. Still, to remove his flipping gloves again and be decked by a non-superpowered individual is not what I call a good look. Although we’re now seeing Iron Man use a variety of weapons, to have him struggle with tumbling machinery for the second issue in a row is downright shameful. 7/10
Villain Rating
A top tier Iron Man villain is not what anyone’s ever going to call Whiplash. But kudos to him for all the hard work the guy put into his first appearance in quite a few years. I’d up him a notch for that alone if it weren’t for his shameful sexism. 5/10
Overall Rating
After weathering some rough seas, it's felt good to have a rating that's at least above water. 6/10
Additional Nuts & Bolts
It’s not long before Whiplash shows up again. Eleven issues later, he’s part of the so-called “Death Squad,” teaming up with the Melter and Man Bull to take on Iron Man at a comic book convention of all places. From there, with few exceptions, Whiplash (or Blacklash, as he’s later called) shows up to hassle Iron Man as part of at least a trio of villains who stand no chance in heck against Iron Man on their own. Mark Scarlotti eventually meets his end by Iron Man’s sentient armor in Volume 4, issue #28 (2000).
As for Phillip Craig Russell, he soon adds that first initial and finds the right book to strut his stuff, working with Don McGregor on “War of the Worlds.” It was an outstanding futuristic fantasy series that unfortunately never quite built the audience to keep it afloat.