Review: Iron Man #72
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 characterizations.
Put it more directly, the setting of this issue likely provided more sales than typical for this bi-monthly book. Yet for unfathomable reasons, writer Mike Friedrich fails miserably at giving any of those newcomers so much as a single reason to stick around for Iron Man #73.
As for that freaking Super-Villain War that we've been hearing about, the supposedly uber-powerful instigator of said dust-up makes that some offer of power to Whiplash, the Melter and a guy with horns sticking out both sides of his head?
I strong suspect that writer was making it up as he went along. Still, how in Stan Lee's name do you whiff on a slow pitch over the base like that?
Along those lines, whatever possessed him to portray his master villain as a buffoon who runs away from the Melter?
Say it isn't so!
At the time, Mike Friedrich had said this would be a “fun” issue. But how much fun can you have in a “Convention of Fear!”?
Credits
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Vince Colletta
Colorist: Stan Goldberg
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Roy Thomas
Cover Art: Gil Kane & Frank Giacioa
Release Date: October 24, 1974
Synopsis
Why does cover artist Gil Kane hate Iron Man so much? After a series of solid covers from newcomer Ron Wilson, Kane delivers a dreadful one,
crowded with too characters, captions and thought balloons as well as taking us back to the days of melting armor - although it does at least demonstrate the only time the Melter's power is properly used.
The splash can’t help but improve things with Vince Coletta smoothing over George Tuska’s pencils. This clearly makes it easier for Iron Man to see the energy beam being fired at him so that he can move out of the say.
We’re then shown three shadowed figures grousing over their failure to destroy our hero. As to why their identities are concealed? Don’t ask me since all three villains are on full display on that icky cover.
From there, it’s a brief flashback where we learn that an emergency at Stark Industries’ San Diego facility brought Tony Stark to town. He uses a few panels to recap the first salvo of the upcoming “Super-Villain War” as well as regret leaving Roxie Gilbert in the Vietnamese jungles for the fifth straight issue. I’m not a fan of the Annoying Hippy. But damn, Tony, it’s not like you left this poor woman alone in Beverly Hills. Last issue had her in rather dire straits. Not that this issue will make any further reference towards any of that.
But we and Tony learn that the emergency has already been resolved - meaning it was a wasted trip. And we're to believe that the CEO of a world wide corporation has to wait overnight for a flight back to Viet Nam? Like he wouldn't have a jet - or suit of armor - availalbe?
Anyway, after fending off an attack from workers at that plant - all entranced by yet another hidden character who is on full display on that cover - Tony opts to kill time that evening by visiting the San Diego Comic Book Convention because...that's what the cover says.
As this is 1974 and decades before this convention attained the significance it has today, the creative team warrants kudos as they nicely convey the “vibe" of the event. Iron Man overhears patrons diving deep into the weeds of certain writers, artists and characters. Of course, with Mike Friedrich living in California, he’s no stranger to any of this.
Speaking of Friedrich, the next page provides a distinctive panel with outgoing editor Roy Thomas, letterer Tom Orzechowski, artist Frank Brunner (and his then wife). There’s also a cute panel about a petition to get Star Trek back on the air. Hard to believe now following umpteen shows from that beloved franchise, but in 1974, it had been four years since the good ship Enterprise last graced our televisions with new episodes.
It’s from here that the story begins to truly topple over. Following yet another entertaining panel where someone in an Iron Man suit again questions his nose, our hero sees the Man-Bull, Melter and Whiplash. Instead of taking action, he assumes they’re cosplayers. Really, the eight-foot-tall guy with horns is a clever costume?
Naturally, said bad guys quickly make their move, hoping to steal a few funnies and attract Iron Man’s attention. But before our hero grants that request, the Black Lama, our other cover villain, makes his appearance. He offers those three third raters a slot in his “Super-Villain War.” Only instead of each other, he wants them to take out Iron Man.
Man-Bull and Whiplash last four panels before the impatient mystic mesmerizes the crowd into attacking Iron Man. However, our hero brings them back to their senses with a burst of light from his chest plate. Iron Man then goes after the Melter. When a stray shot of his melting ray hits a stack of comics, our hero abandons the fight to save the vendor - earning a shot in the back from his old adversary. (And I thought that the Melter’s beam did just that - melted things. If so, why are those comic books on fire?)
Anyway, before Bruno Horgan (love that name!) can unleash his ray, the guy with the flat-faced Iron Man suit tackles him, giving our guy time to finish off the Melter. But since there are still two pages left, the Black Lama - for reasons that make absolutely no sense whatsoever - attacks Iron Man with a scimitar. But Bruno won’t have any of it! He turns his ray onto the mystic troublemaker, telling him that if he can’t kill Iron Man, no one can! With friends like that…
Being aflame - which again isn’t what the Melter’s ray does - the Black Lama teleports away. This leaves us with one page - barely time for Iron Man to hear some cheers from the crowd before being booted because he lost his name tag.
With that, we're told that next issue takes us back to Viet Nam and the Crimson Dynamo.
Story
I've already aired my gripes about the overall story but let slap on some additional criticisms. Ten issues back, Whiplash put Iron Man through a decent workout only to last about two panels this time out. As I’ve already noted, the Melter’s powers no longer melt anything - making him yet another heat-based villain for Iron Man. Then there’s the Man-Bull. A nice visual, but scarcely anyone who has any business in this book.
Add to that the Black Lama popping up for no good reason. Does he truly consider any of the so-called “Death Squad” to be top-tier villains worthy of his war? And why oh why does he attack Iron Man and with a scimitar? Dude’s supposed to have magical powers. After this issue, I couldn’t quite take the Black Lama as seriously again.
As previously stated, there's no hint whatsoever about the next issue. We know Roxie and Marty March are in deep do-do. Why not offer a few panels to whet our appetite for the next issue? What about teasing us regarding the Crimson Dynamo return? That was actually supposed to be a big deal.
While my compliments on offering something new, missed opportunities and sloppy writing bring this one down. 4/10
Art
George Tuska's about to commence a short break from this series - returning with #78. But the longtime penciler goes out on a somewhat higher note with inker Vince Coletta cleaning up his lines to bring a distinctly sharper look to the armor and overall story. At the same time, Vince Coletta’s strength is also his weakness as those clean lines remove any edge from many of the characters - including a truly bland rendition of the Man-Bull - a rather silly character who comes across as absolutely eerie under Gene Colan's skillful hand in Daredevil.
We also have other artists doing touch ups on the comic professionals. I believe it’s Neil Adams on Roy Thomas, Mike Friedrich and Tom Orzechowski with Frank Brunner doing himself and wife Jan. 5/10
Wimp Factor
Taking on three supervillains and the Black Lama should boost this score much higher. Still, Iron Man seemed to have to work harder than he should have against each. At least there were no heart issues or armor malfunctions. 4/10
Villain Rating
Deep breath as I’ve got several naughty boys to cover. In alphabet order, the Black Lama fell into the Never-As-Serious-Again category, tumbling to 5/10. Then we have the Man-Bull whose strength should pose some challenges, but is never fully utilized, scoring 4/10. Next up is an old-time Iron Man sparring partner, The Melter. But used in a way that's totally inconsistent with his powers. 4/10. Lastly, shame on you Whiplash for letting yourself go after #62, falling to 4/10.
Overall Rating
As I said before, another single issue that struggled under the weight of missed opportunities and careless execution. 4/10
Additional Nuts & Bolts
We’re spared any more appearances of the “Death Squad” as depicted this issue. The Melter comes back in Iron Man #92 before rejoining Whiplash (and another upcoming villain) in #123. The Man-Bull next horns in on the action in Daredevil #129, but this remains his only appearance in this series. As for the Black Lama, he’s back in two issues. God help us all.
This issue serves as Roy Thomas’s last as Editor-In-Chief, replaced by Len Wein, who will actually take over this series in around a year.
Comments