Iron Man #247
“Mailed”
Cover Date: October 1989
Sale Date: June 27th, 1989
Writer: David Michelinie
Artist: Bob Layton
Inker: Timothy Dzon
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Paul J. Becton
Editor: Howard Mackie
Guest Stars/Supporting Cast: Jim Rhodes, Mrs. Arbogast,
Villains: Hydra, A.I.M. and the Maggia.
Synopsis: Iron Man sits atop an icy cliff near the North Pole waiting the current heads of A.I.M. and Hydra. They are interested in a temporary partnership in fending off the Maggia’s aggressions being led by Madam Masque. Iron Man blows them off and begrudgingly heads back to his office, and his hoverchair. Meanwhile, “Mr. Fixit” has flown out from Las Vegas to L.A. for a job that’s offering big money. Turns out it’s the by the A.I.M. and Hydra operatives that had inquired Iron Man help them. The kicker for the Hulk is that not only is it a big payoff, but it also offers him a chance to gain some revenge on the Maggia, who had cost him his “Fixit” job out in Vegas. He easily captures Madam Masque, with Iron Man minutes behind him, who has a burning desire to find who killed the original Madam Masque, Whitney Frost. Later, A.I.M. keeps its promise and the money is exchanged. However, on his way out of the facility, the Hulk is attacked by Dreadnoughts. Iron Man arrives and attacks A.I.M and Hydra. He’s able to fend them off long enough to free Masque, only to have her escape with an FBI agent. The Hulk, meanwhile, had his wardrobe AND cash destroyed during the battle, leaving him in a foul mood. He slips out of sight, trying to find a way to get revenge again. The next morning, Tony Stark is handing papers to his lawyer about stepping down as head of Stark Enterprises.
Commentary: This era of Iron Man is one of my favorites; I enjoyed Michelinie on both Iron Man and Spidey. His dialogue was pretty sharp and the stories were simple and fun. Reminded me a lot of the `67 Spidey cartoon. I remember during one of my summer stays at my grandparents going to a thrift store with my grandmother. She was looking for knick-knacks and I discovered a box of comics, something like 5 of a quarter, extremely cheap. I picked out a stack of Iron Man issues, from #218 to 237. Near complete set. Got me hooked for the rest of his run, at least until Byrne came on to do Armor Wars II. I’m more familiar with Bob Layton on Iron Man and Hercules, but his Hulk falls under the “drawn like he was still green, but colored gray” category.