The Power of Iron Man

Rating:
Summary: Since the actual comics are expensive.....
Review: ....this collection is well worth the price. Writer David Michelinie along w/partner/artist (and best friend) Bob Layton, and John Romita Jr. created these original tales set in the very early 80s. We are first introduced to consummate corporate baddie Justin Hammer, and Iron Man alter ego Tony Stark goes through his first bout w/alcoholism. If you can find all of these original comics (in good shape) for less than the cost of this TPB, go for it. But I wouldn't hold my breath!

Rating:
Summary: 3rd Advanced Iron Person to Review this!
Review: Bethany Cabe, Tony Stark, and Justin Hammer! Just through in Jack Daniels and you have the greatest Iron Man story arc ever! This TPB starts off with all out action against one of my personal favs, Prince Namor. Next move to Iron Man in all out battle against Blizzard, Whiplash, and The Melter in one of fav places on earth, Atlantic City, New Jersey! And that's not all! Iron Man murders an ambassador and then goes after Justin Hammer in Monaco without his armor! All out battle ensues on Hammer's private island against a handfull of super baddies! End it all with a heart touching story about Stark finding his way of the sauce (with some help from the beautiful Bethany Cabe)! A great buy for any comic fan!

Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Iron Man Storyline!!
Review: Maybe it's because it was the very first Iron Man storyline I ever read (in its original comicbook form - issues #120-128), but in my opinion this widely-acclaimed collection is still a masterpiece after all these years! While the overall plot may have arguably been equalled in later years, notably in the Armor Wars story arc, the sparkling art combination of John Romita Jr and Bob Layton still remains unrivalled, either by any IM artist since or even by Bob Layton alone! Indeed, never have two Iron Man artists complimented each other so perfectly. David Michelinie's James Bond-style plot sees Tony Stark frequent glamorous locations such as an Atlantic City Casino and the Mediterranean while facing a shadowy nemesis in the form of Justin Hammer - a Bond-style villain! However, the alcohol-driven theme still has the power to deliver a relevant message today. My only complaint with the TPB is that I would've prefered that it included a picture of each of the covers of the individual issues at the start of each chapter. But that is only a minor flaw.

This TPB, together with the aforementioned Armor Wars saga, is the definitive Shellhead story. If you can get hold of both, then by all means do. However, if you choose to only read one, purchase this: it demonstrates clearly why Michelinie/Romita Jr/Layton were the original Iron Man dream team!

Rating:
Summary: The Human side of Iron Man
Review: Stan Lee's armored avenger gets to explore his human side in this collection of early Iron Man stories by David Michelinie in which Tony Stark battles a foe that his armor can not fight the battle for him, alcholoisism and how Tony sinks to the bottom of the bottle and then slowly gets out of it again. Today's comic book writers don't do these type of stories anymore and that's a shame.

Rating:
Summary: Solid comics of late 1970s
Review: The book collects "The Invincible Iron-Man" (vol. 1) 120-128. This is well-told story about Tony Stark's battles against Justin Hammer and his own alcoholism. I don't reveal who wins, I can only say road to conclusion is really entertaining. Drawings of "early" John Romita Jr. are father-like (John Romita Sr.), different from those of today (e.g. "Punisher"). But they are great too.

Rating:
Summary: Tony Stark and Iron Man fight the Demon in the Bottle
Review: When Iron Man made his first appearance in "Tales of Suspense" #39, the basic story was that inventor and industrialist Tony Stark was a millionaire bachelor who first don's his armored chest plate to keep his heart beating despite a piece of shrapnel. Originally the idea that Tony Stark was a rich playboy who liked wine, women and song was a familiar cover story for superheroes, going back to Bruce Wayne/Batman and Brett Reid/The Green Hornet. However, in this trade paperback collecting issues #120-128, we find there was a high price for Tony Stark to pay for living the good life: he is an alcoholic.

These classic issues of "Iron Man" were written by David Michelinie, with pencil art mostly by John Romita, Jr. (one issue is drawn by Carmine Infantiono), and inks by Bob Layton. Yes, there is a fight with Namor, the Sub-Mariner, along with the Melter, Whiplash, and Blizzard. But those are minor affairs compared to the attempt by Justin Hammer to take over Stark International and the self-destructive behavior of Tony Stark. Things get pretty bad as Iron Man's armor kills someone, he forgets to open up a window before flying out it, and even Jarvis gets fed up enough to tender his resignation. Bethany Cabe is not too thrilled with Tony either, but fortunately she is tougher than Stark and Iron Man put together.

"The Power of Iron Man" presents a story arc that has few valid points of comparison in the history of comics up to that point in time (the drug issues of "Spider-Man" and "Green Lantern/Green Arrow" are about all that comes to mind). These issues actually were praised by people in the real world for the accuracy with which certain aspects of alcoholism were depicted, and for avoiding a cop-out ending. Tony Stark really does bottom out in these issues; Captain America has to teach Tony Stark some basic self-defense moves once Iron Man is out of the picture. The only real complaint is that this trade paperback ended up falling apart. Good thing I still have the original comics (wrapped in plastic).

Rating:
Summary: Tony Stark and Iron Man fight the Demon in the Bottle
Review: When Iron Man made his first appearance in "Tales of Suspense" #39, the basic story was that inventor and industrialist Tony Stark was a millionaire bachelor who first don's his armored chest plate to keep his heart beating despite a piece of shrapnel. Originally the idea that Tony Stark was a rich playboy who liked wine, women and song was a familiar cover story for superheroes, going back to Bruce Wayne/Batman and Brett Reid/The Green Hornet. However, in this trade paperback collecting issues #120-128, we find there was a high price for Tony Stark to pay for living the good life: he is an alcoholic.

These classic issues of "Iron Man" were written by David Michelinie, with pencil art mostly by John Romita, Jr. (one issue is drawn by Carmine Infantiono), and inks by Bob Layton. Yes, there is a fight with Namor, the Sub-Mariner, along with the Melter, Whiplash, and Blizzard. But those are minor affairs compared to the attempt by Justin Hammer to take over Stark International and the self-destructive behavior of Tony Stark. Things get pretty bad as Iron Man's armor kills someone, he forgets to open up a window before flying out it, and even Jarvis gets fed up enough to tender his resignation. Bethany Cabe is not too thrilled with Tony either, but fortunately she is tougher than Stark and Iron Man put together.

"The Power of Iron Man" presents a story arc that has few valid points of comparison in the history of comics up to that point in time (the drug issues of "Spider-Man" and "Green Lantern/Green Arrow" are about all that comes to mind). These issues actually were praised by people in the real world for the accuracy with which certain aspects of alcoholism were depicted, and for avoiding a cop-out ending. Tony Stark really does bottom out in these issues; Captain America has to teach Tony Stark some basic self-defense moves once Iron Man is out of the picture. The only real complaint is that this trade paperback ended up falling apart. Good thing I still have the original comics (wrapped in plastic).