Review: Iron Man #74
Get Your Tickets for the Super-Villain War!
A war between super-villains? Dr. Doom tussling with Kang the Conqueror! Magneto going mano y mano against Ultron! Loki matching wits and spells with Dormannu! And all our heroes caught in the middle! Everything 14-year old comic collector could ever imagine!
Unfortunately, despite bold proclamations otherwise, this so-called war turned out to be a minor kerfuffle where bad guys who were second stringers on their best day duked it out in Iron Man.
What happened?
I'm guessing that the chaotic environment of Marvel in the mid-70's made the necessary coordination between titles a bridge too far for this storyline. Absent buy-in from other writers, that also quickly limited the pool of evil-doers for writer Mike Friedrich to utilize. Along those lines, given how this ultimately unfolds, I'd wager huge sums of cash that Friedrich bit off far more than he could chew, having no idea how this war would ultimately end. As if that wasn’t enough, assigned to the art duties were two inexperienced individuals who not only struggled to deliver the visual impact this story required but failed to meet deadlines which created huge problems later.
As expectations begin to crumble around us, we’re introduced to “The MODOK Machine!”
Credits
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciler: Arvell Jones & Keith Pollard
Inker: Dick Ayes
Colorist: Phil Rachelson
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Len Wein
Cover Art: Gil Kane & Frank Giacioa
Release Date: February 25, 1975
Synopsis
The excitement begins with an improved Gil Kane cover before shifting to a splash page that underscores the limitation of both pencillers. (Something I discuss in greater detail in the Art section.) Once back at Stark International, Iron Man decides to wind down from all the drama of the “Celestial Madonna” issues in the Avengers by indulging in an intense workout in his version of a “Danger Room.” Giving the X-Men full credit for the idea, he also opts to irritate Spider-Man fans with comments about his clinging ribbons rivaling the guy’s webbing. I do draw the line with his goofy buzzsaw. Not sure how he can use that for any length of time without losing some fingers, but hey, it’s just a comic book. Iron Man shows off some other weapons that - surprise, surprise - just might show up later in this issue.
With what would have been a better “post credits scene” in the previous issue, we learn that the Titanic Three are put under house arrest after the Crimson Dynamo damaged an experimental city in his tussle with Iron Man. I’m just wondering how some soldiers and a few tanks could actually stop Radioactive Man, Titanium Man and Dynamo.
Anyway, we’ve a war to cover which brings us to a nifty scene with MODOK receiving reports from various AIM agents regarding the Black Lama and the status of his war.
They let their huge-headed boss know that Dr. Doom, the Red Skull and Fu Manchu want nothing to do with said Lama. (Marvel had the rights to the latter character at that time due to Shang-Chi’s series.)
Of course, after learning that no other serious power-player gave the Black Lama so much as the time of day, MODOK jumps in with both tiny feet when Hooded One arrives.
After a quick scene that makes us further question his thought process is a scene with the Black Lama suffering from some nightmare visions, we turn to our other contestant, The Thinker!
Although he’s still in prison, the Black Lama had clearly whispered sweet somethings in his ear previously, leaving the Thinker to seek an escape.
Fortunately, so that our story can both move forward and become more confusing, a bizarre image of a blonde woman tells him that a meteorite is about to strike the prison wall. By the dynamics of comic book science, this hurling rock smashes only a wall instead of vaporing the entire prison and everyone in it.
Keeping the coincidences coming, it turns out that Gary Gilbert - aka Iron Man’s sparring partner Firebrand - happens to be another inmate. Both villains quickly go their separate ways with the Thinker being so incredibly smart that he built a hidden base right by that prison in case he was ever sentenced there! Not that he thought to program one of two of his androids to free him.
And wouldn't you know it, but Gilbert’s sister, Roxanne, just happens to have her brother’s Firebrand costume waiting for him. Once he sees a picture of Tony Stark at her home, Gilbert's off to inflict serious harm to said corporate CEO.
Just as our guy's receiving a warning about Firebrand from Roxanne and changing into his armor, the Thinker suddenly takes over the suit.
Why use Iron Man - whom he's never actually faced to tackle MODOK when the Thinker surely has a number of androids available is never explained. But at least he eases up control so that Iron Man can take on the guys in those funky beekeeper suits and MODOK.
This skirmish proves an excellent opportunity for Iron Man to use those same gadgets he showed off earlier, including a goofy buzz saw to bring down the house on MODOK instead of several of his fingers. Unfortunately, wearing a gigantic metal suit, MODOK takes off after Iron Man. This causes the Thinker to take back control of Iron Man’s armor, slowing down our hero enough for MODOK to grab him and track down the Thinker’s lab. Our issue ends where the cover begins with MODOK breaking into The Thinker’s HQ and a helpless Iron Man in his giant hand.
Story
Between the limitations I mentioned in the Introduction and contrivances referenced above, Round Two of this War stumbles right out of the gate. Only adding to the confusion are the Black Lama's nightmares as well as what has to be Marianne Rodgers appearing on that cell wall.
On the plus side, I enjoyed the battle with MODOK and AIM - which makes sense in this title. The Danger Room bit also served as a good method to show off weapons beyond his repulsors. Those touches bring us up to 5/10.
Art
I took the easy way out in my previous review in saying that neither Arvell Jones nor Keith Pollard were ready for Prime Time. This issue provides several examples to explain what I mean by that. First off, take a careful look at Gil Kane’s cover. Whether you appreciate artwork or not, the body language of both characters makes it’s quite clear that MODOK is holding an unconscious Iron Man. No word balloons are necessary to convey the power in the villain’s pose nor the helplessness with his victim.
Now contrast that with the splash page. Iron Man’s posture is rigid as he departs a group of his Avengers’ teammates. Indeed, static enough that the inker’s added wavy lines to indicate motion, underscoring the limitations of both new artists.
This challenge permeates the entire issue. Despite some interesting and eye-catching panel layouts - including some impressive detail work - the images inside those panels are less appealing. That lack of fluidity hampers the action scenes throughout this story.
Both artists would go on to solid careers, but I’m glad that they’re only on this book for another two issues. 3/10
Wimp Factor
Gotta give our hero props since the last time MODOK wore that ginormous suit, he took on the freaking Hulk! But to have armor that is supposed to be mentally controlled taken over by The Thinker is all kinds of wrong. Sure hope Reed Richards never finds out about it! 4/10
Villain Rating
As a kid, I thought MODOK was cool. And who could resist those yellow beekeeper suits with AIM? 7/10 As for The Thinker, you know it’s a bad sign when your creations (Awesome Android and Quasimodo) are more interesting than you. 3/10
Overall Rating
The math is pretty simple on this one. An average, if rather confusing story + bad art = a distinct disappointment. 4/10
Additional Nuts & Bolts
Poor Mike Friedrich! Imagine what Marvel would have done with the “Super-Villain War” ten or fifteen years later. Crossovers amid a dozen titles! Huge story implications for certain characters and teams! Potentially an adaptation for an MCU project! But with Marvel being the chaotic mess that they were in the mid-70’s, Friedrich was pretty much on his own with the idea. With his name initially attached to a revival of the X-Men, it seemed that would be another potential home for the conflict. However, his involvement with the mutant team soon ended. I’m guessing all of this at least helped in his decision to leave the book once this storyline concluded in #81.
We bid adieu to the Titanic Three - a clever idea from Avenger’s writer Steve Englehart that ultimately didn’t last beyond this issue. Given that two out of three of it’s members truly despised one another, I suppose the team’s demise shouldn’t be much of a surprise. In case anyone’s interested, the Radioactive Man’s next appearance is in Avengers #228 in 1983 while the Titanium Man joins a new Crimson Dynamo in Champions #7 that coming summer.
Iron Man returned to monthly status with this issue - where he remained until this volume ended with #322 in 1995.
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