By the time this issue of IRON MAN came out, there was no mistaking the qualitative improvement the series had experienced, and it became a title that I really enjoyed every month. Whereas the IRON MAN of most of the prior decade had always felt a bit underpowered, prone to attacks from one medical condition or another and something of a pushover, Shell-Head under Michelinie. Romita and Layton turned into a powerhouse, a vital figure whether inside his armor or out, and a foe to take seriously. The trio modernized the flavor of the strip, with Layton giving all of the technology in particular a slick sheen in his Wally Wood-inspired inks. Romita Jr was just starting out at this point, but already he had absorbed key lessons about storytelling power from his father and the other Marvel mainstays he’d grown up around.
What’s more, Tony Stark himself began to grow more of a personality, to become a bit more fun and glory in his great wealth and intellect. Tony had often been something of a typical Marvel sad sack in the past, but under this trio he entered the “Me Decade” of the 1980s as a confident and fun-loving hedonist who still carried the burden of the responsibilities his wealth and privilege placed upon him. It was a very adept characterization. Also, Tony’s world became a 007 film, with espionage, both corporate and otherwise, crazed villains with elaborate lairs and colorful henchmen and international intrigue all playing a central role in the strip. Suddenly, Iron Man wasn’t having the sorts of generic adventures against opponents that any other Marvel hero might face, he moved in a very specific world of high finance and opulence.
The story in this issue was still getting there, but it does showcase the kind of adventure that was a precursor to those sorts of tales. Flying back to the United States from his adventure last month, Tony Stark is called to action when the 747 he’s traveling on is crippled by a tank that’s been thrown through the air. Swiftly donning is Iron Man armor, Tony is able to use a combination of muscle power and the thrust of his boot jets to safely land the stricken craft in the ocean. Also fortunately, there are military forces in the area who are able to provide swift help with the passengers. But Iron Man is curious what Special Forces is doing in this area in the first place.
Lieutenant Grange offers to have his commanding officer brief the Avenger at a nearby island, one that isn’t on any sea charts. That’s because it’s been designated as a safe disposal ground for radioactive wastes. According to Grange’s unnamed Captain, though, earlier that day, as his unit was bringing in a new batch of the stuff to be buried, they came across an inhabitant on the island: one Hiram Dobbs. His men attempted to remove Dobbs from the premises forcibly, but thereafter they were attacked by the Sub-Mariner. It was Namor who threw those tanks into the air, causing the airline disaster in the first place. Iron Man agrees to help out by having a talk with Namor and hopefully getting him to stand down. But after Iron Man departs on this mission, we can see that there’s some greater prize on this island that the Captain and his unit is really after.
As Iron Man approaches Dobbs’ house, the grounds of which is littered with downed soldiers, it becomes clear that the Sub-Mariner is in no mood to talk. Iron Man tries to explain that Dobbs’ life is in danger if he remains on this island, but Namor wants no part of this conversation, and he smacks the armored Avenger halfway across the island. Tony had been enjoying his martinis while on his flight, and so his reflexes are dulled, allowing Namor to clock him even when he should have easily been able to avoid the blow. This moment is underplayed, but it’s one of the first bits of evidence of Tony Stark’s growing difficulties with alcohol, which will become a central running theme of the series.
What’s more, the Sub-Mariner pursues Iron Man into the nearby sea, where he is at his strongest. iron Man’s armor self-seals automatically to conserve his oxygen supply and protect him from the pressure of the environment, but he’s clearly on the back foot. After a brief cut-away to supporting cast members Jim Rhodes and Bethany Cabe, who hear about Tony’s plane crashing and who race off in one of Stark’s jetcopters to provide an assist, And back at the fight, Iron Man is getting himself together, using his power pods to boil the water around him and Subby, causing Namor’s strength to wane slightly, and then blasting him with a combination of his repulsor rays and the discharge of his boot jets. It’s enough to knock the sea king a good distance away and buy Iron Man a reprieve.
At this point, having used up much of his armor’s charge, Iron Man heads for the surface, intent on retreating and recharging his gear before making a second attempt. But unbeknownst to the armored Avenger, miles away, a mysterious new figure who will become one of Iron Man’s most notable new enemies, Justin Hammer, is being informed that Iron man has no idea that his armor has been remotely hacked. Hammer, who is the spitting image of Peter Cushing in these early appearances, tells his men to proceed to Phase II–and moments later, in the murky depths of the ocean, Iron Man is horrified as the seals on his helmet suddenly open, allowing the sea water to flood in, cutting off his oxygen. And as the issue ends, a seemingly lifeless Iron Man sinks deeper into the silent depths, appearing to have drowned. To Be Continued!
The Tom Brevoort Experience 
This was one of the best turnarounds for a comic series ever. I don’t even recall it being hyped much. Before Layton and Michelinie I’d wonder why Iron Man was one of the Big 3 when outclassed by so much by Captain America and Thor. This run more than anything after (including whatshisname in the movies) cemented Iron Man’s place at the top of the heap in the MU.
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Though they’ve both been heroes, Tony & Namor make good “frenemies”. There’s a history of clashes between “royalty” and the wealthy. “merchant class”. Today I think it’s pretty widely that the “non-royal” wealthiest are part the ruling class. (They influence even elected officials in the form of election contributions, and appointed officials in the form of gifts. And that’s just using the US as one example.)
Anyway, then factor the natural vs. the technological. Namor’s powers are inherent. Tony’s aren’t, their his invention. There’s some distrust, and maybe even jealousy on both sides. And if Tony’s machines fail, he’s done, “sunk”. But Namor’s powers also have their limits, while Tony has gone on to build “Hulk Buster” armor, that would likely defeat Namor.
I’m not the biggest fan of the hero vs hero trope. But it’s impossible to ignore these 2 have tussled on (and inside) comicbook covers almost as often as other hero match-up. I think Hulk vs. Thing, & Hulk vs. Thor probably take the lead for Marvel, by several digits. But Iron-Man vs. the Sub-Mariner could be as many or more than Superman vs. the original Captain Marvel.
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Great points! There is also the visual of an essentially naked man versus a fully armored ‘knight’, that makes it interesting. You would think that makes Namor look more vulnerable, but in some ways it also makes him look even stronger.
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True. I think Byrne mentioned something similar when he started his Namor series. He kept the “Speedos-only” look to try &: emphasize how tough Namor is, he doesn’t need armor.
But then guys tougher or as tough, Thor &:Wonder Man, wear pants & sleeveless shirts…
I like the black tights & vest that John Romita, Sr. gave him. Still looks tough.
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Byrne also had him dressed in a sharp suit too! 😉
I did like the JR, Sr outfit at first. Probably because I never liked Namor for a long time, so giving him a ‘superhero suit’ made him more interesting. But now I kind of like that classic look better.
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Namor doesn’t come off to me as “royalty” in a personal sense, beyond being massively arrogant (but many people are huge jerks without being royalty). The only “royal” character I can think of who actually does seem to be culturally “royal” is Black Bolt. It’s not just that he generally doesn’t speak. It’s that he’s so high status that he does not deign to communicate like a common person. That is, he won’t write, or use sign-language, or some sort of text-to-speech device. He has “people”, i.e. it’s up to his retinue to deal with him. Namor doesn’t even travel with a secretary.
On the other side, Tony is very “establishment”. He wears the right suits, attends the proper parties, cultivates the necessary social connections. He doesn’t rock the boat in terms being part of the ruling class.
I think their dynamic is more they both have a strong streak of “I’m the boss and you do what I say!” in their personalities.
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I can’t help how he come he comes off to you, personally. That’s your perception, and how you interpret the material you’ve been shown. I know he’s referenced to himself as royalty in almost every single issue I read him in. He also mentioned his bloodline many times. His grandfather King Thakkor. Maybe to overcompensate for his “interspecies” biology. He was also openly mocked as a “half-breed” by both other “homomermanus” and land lubbers. So despite being arrogant, he may also be insecure. He’s also been impatient, and quick tempered. Intolerant of any perceived insult of dishonor. He feels he’s automatically owed respect for just who he is, not just for his achievements. Sounds like royalty to me. 😉
Royalty is a human social construct. They aren’t special. I’m glad I grew up in a representative democracy. Though in Namor’s case, even without any hereditary titles, or entitlement he thinks he deserves, he still has his impressive biology. He can do things that exceed both sides of it. And his sense of superiority, again, could’ve been supercharged by the sense of inferiority that was attempted to dominate and discourage him while growing up.
It was interesting to me as a 14, 15 yr old to see Namor learn more humility while being an Avenger for the 1st time. Writer Roger Stern showed his Namor’s thoughts when Hercules was able to resist or break free from energy field that Namor was unable to. He learned how to work with other superhumans, and couldn’t rely on his physical strength alone.
I think Bendis summed it up well in the “Illuminati” special. In front of Reed, Stark (in his IM armor), Dr. Strange, & maybe some others (I don’t remember if Black Bolt & Xavier were there, then), Namor angrily opposes their plan to shoot the Hulk into space. It gets heated. Stark tells Namor that one of Namor’s problems is he thinks he’s the only one among them willing to fight for what he believes. Maybe insinuating Namor’s a bully. But Stark says they’re all willing. They’re all warriors. Namor tries to correct Stark. “No. YOU’RE a warrior. I’M a KING.” To which Stark says, “Not up HERE, you’re not.”
The next panel shows a big sound effect, and Stark fling through the roof of where they’d been, hurtling towards the sea. Namor charges after him, they fight under water, and Namor succeeds in pulling off Stark’s helmet. The rest of the group arrive in time to restrain Namor. Stark’s humiliated a bit. But Namor storms off into the sky, quitting the group., and warning them that the Hulk will return and kill them all (“World War Hulk”). Still one of my fave sequences of the Bendis era, and between Namor and Iron-Man.
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I think Ironman was shaking off his pushover status prior to the Michelinie/Layton run from about his 100th issue on. He survives a fall from low orbit, bursts out of a Rigellian trap that only Thor has escaped from, and decisively KO’s Galactus’ Punisher robot.
He was also being shown as more of a powerhouse in Avengers during this time as well…. holding his own against Hercules and having good showings against Graviton, Nefaria, and Ultron relative to Thor and other Avengers. Mostly penned by Jim Shooter who also wrote What If #3 that depicted an early Ironman punking the Hulk and Sub-mariner together. I think it was either in the same What if or in an Ironman annual with the Champions that showed for the first time that if he juiced his charge way passed normal that he could go toe to toe with just about anyone.
I do give this run credit for reliably upping the ante though… it’s one thing to look good fighting Midas or Jack of Hearts and another going against Sub-mariner, Hulk, or Dr. Doom.
Ironman vs Sub-mariner has always been a great matchup and this one is no exception. I do remember puzzling over Hiram Dobbs’ timeline and how he got so old in 20 years from a flashback where he barely looks middle-aged.
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When Iron Man and the Sub-Mariner fought in Tales to Astonish#82 ( August 1966 ) ( 2 pages by Gene Colan who got the flu so Jack Kirby took over ) on Page 6 panel 3 Iron Man mentioned Judo before throwing Namor ( A fighting skill he demonstrated against the Skrulls in New Avengers: Illuminati#1 ( February 2007 ) but forgot he had in Iron Man#125 ( August 1979 ) when he asked Captain America to give him a crash course in self-defense ( must have been all that drinking that made him forget his Judo training ( or the writers didn’t know ) ) — the fight was a draw cause Namor took off to deal with Krang.
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One of the best fight scenes in comics I ever saw. Punches with bone cracking intensity.
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I recall those excellent two fun Iron Man 125 pages of Cap training Tony 🙂
“Demon In Bottle” at least me me has aged better even “Dark Phoenix”.
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So does any particular IRON MAN scribe merit “blame” for making IM a pushover, or did it come about from crossovers, like having him cross paths with Iron Fist and not just zap the kung-fu character out of his longjohns?
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To my recollection, no one in particular powered down Iron Man. He was just never portrayed as much of a heavyweight. Yes, Mantlo and Shooter did some good stuff but I recall Mantlo being more interested in Jack of Hearts’ advancement and in Avengers he was just one of a gang. Michelinie stayed with the book long enough and made Stark Industries more interesting than a soap opera backdrop as well as writing IM like a powerhouse that whole time it became the status quo for other wrriters.
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I think the varying power level is baked into the character from his earliest appearances despite high-end showings of catching rockets, crushing cannon balls, and holding his own against the Hulk in the original suit. Early Kirby Ironman generally showed him as pretty powerful.
Running out of power and clutching his heart was an ongoing story point during the Lee/Heck/Ditko/ Colan days… and it cast a long shadow. This was minimized and eliminated during Archie Goodwin’s run and he wrote a pretty consistently powered IM who could handle Sub-mariner but still had to contend with human limitations. I don’t think Goodwin wrote a powerhouse Ironman but he wasn’t a pushover either.
I don’t think there’s any one writer to blame. I think the character lost a lot of his silver age vitality as the the VIet Nam war dragged on and newer writers in the 70’s ( Mimi Gold, Alyn Brodsky, Gerry Conway) struggled to find what worked. There are few if any great stories during this period and a lot of lackluster foes… though there are some very attractive covers by Marie Severin w/Bill Everett, and Gil Kane.
He has an arguably low showing written by Len Wein where Luke Cage causes a lot of damage to the suit. During Mike Friedrich’s run Ironman would have a hard time against Princess Python and the like. You’re only as strong as the villains you struggle against.
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I liked Friedrich’s run (which launched Thanos with Jim Starlin) but he did arcs with (potentially interesting bad guys who didn’t quite work (Dr. Spectrum, Firebrand/Black Lama and the “War of the Super Villains and an attempt to make The Masked Marauder a new “A-List” Villainy)
The “War of the Super Villains” Story just did not become “The Thanos Saga: “or “The Celestial Madonna Cycle.” Heck, it didn’t become the “Decay Meets the Mad Viking/A Book Burns in Citrusville Cycle in Man-Thing.
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This issue was not the first time the Sub-Mariner came to the aid of a hermit on an island [ All-Winners Comics#5 ( Summer 1942 ) Sub-Mariner story — vs. Marshal Doering and Nazis ] — even the plot is similar, cause that Timely Comics island had something of great value on it too –Gold. I learned a lot about Namor during his Timely Comics days: Like he was an engineer who created a Flying Bantam Car ( ran on water instead of gasoline ) [ Marvel Mystery Comics#22 ( August 1941 ) ] and a 3-Man Submarine ( cool design too ) [ Sub-Mariner Comics#5 ( Spring 1942 ). He can store large amounts of water in his body enough to put out fires [ Marvel Mystery Comics#2 ( December 1939 ) – his body acted as a sprinkler to put out a dress fire ] and the fire the original Human Torch surrounded him with [ Marvel Mystery Comics#8 ( June 1940 ) Human Torch part of their first fight story — called sprinkler system ] — which tells me that even under desert conditions he should still have the majority of his full strength for much longer than modern Marvel has him.
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NAMOR ( Timely Comics Forgotten Ability ): [ Human Torch#3 (2 ) ( Winter 1940-41 ) page 9 panel 5 ( mental-telepathic orders to all his ( Namor’s ) men ) ] & [ Marvel Mystery Comics#4 ( February 1940 ) page 9 panel 5 ( telepathic message to his (Namor’s ) Admiral Naka ) ] and in an Atlas Age story Princess Fen tried to telepathically contact Namor on the moon ( Aliens using it as a base as they plotted to steal Earth’s water — a plot used in Timely Comics, Atlas Comics & Marvel Comics and stopped each time by Namor ( last time with Triton’s help ) ). Also while in water ( With amazing speed. He reaches into the air, and stops a .38 calibre bullet! )[ Marvel Mystery Comics#2 ( December 1939 ) page 5 panel 3 ].
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Living under (in) water, telepathy just makes sense to have to communicate. I imagine Namor’s vision extends to other ranges, too. He could likely see at night on land. He was one of my earliest fave’s at Marvel. It was a big deal to me when he showed up in an episode of “Spider-Man & his Amazing Friends” (“10 Little Superheroes”).
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Sub-Mariner Comics#36 ( November 1954 ) 1st story page 6 panel 2 is when Princess Fen tried to make contact by mental telepathy with Namor on a second moon near Earth ( Namor’s mental instability is present in this story cause he was helping them steal Earth’s water before he realized it wasn’t just the surface world he was screwing over but his own people too ).
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John Holstein said:
“I learned a lot about Namor during his Timely Comics days”
The short-lived Atlas depiction of Sub-Mariner bears on the general discussion of weakening heroes. Early in the Atlas revival, someone. quite possibly Everett himself, actually depicted Namor getting wounded by a bullet. That may or may not have been what sparked the lead story in issue#38 (1955), but Everett devoted that tale to re-powering Namor with a rejuvenating device, to remind readers that the sea prince was supposed to be not only bulletproof but strong enough to tear steel to pieces. The scripts also retell the interaction of Namor’s parents in some, uh, creative ways.
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The Michelinie/Layton run was the first time I bought Iron Man (though I’ve picked up the early series in Epic volumes). Really good.
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They reprinted one of the first 1953 Atlas Submariner stories in Giant Sized Defenders #2,
It was about Great White Sharks preying on people off Long Island. It was probably inspired by the same incident in NJ in 1916 that had inspired Benchley’s Jaws.
It was odd, Namor could breath water (but seemed to have no other powers and could not fly). The story is Science Fiction/Horror like Everett was playing with in Marvel Boy and Venus right before this (the bad guys are people from Venus here by mental projection.
Jaws the film was still a year away, but the novel was a big hit. It node sense to reprint it at that point.
Giant Sized Defenders usually had interesting reprints,
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There is a profile on them under Shark-People at marvunapp.com ( Appendix, then Profiles and Past Eras — post-world war II ).
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Great perhaps even historic issue. Some have called “Demon In A Bottle” the poor man’s Dark Phoenix but I disagree as the former deals with a serious real world human problem
Late 70 sRomita Jr/Layton for me personally ranks right up there with Byrne/Austin, Miller/Jansen and Perez
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