“Is that your contact lens?”
Iron Man #222
Marvel (September, 1987)
“The Party” WRITER: David Michelinie BREAKDOWNS: Mark D. Bright FINISHES/CO-PLOTTER: Bob Layton COLORIST: Bog Sharen LETTERER: Janice Chaing EDITOR: Mark Gruenwald
Tony’s having a party at his new home to celebrate his new business. Too bad he can’t be there when a powerful rainstorm causes trouble all over Los Angeles that Iron Man has to deal with. Meanwhile, Force is preparing to take on Iron Man.
What they got right: This is why a supporting cast works for a superhero comic. The moments with Tony and Rhodey talking make Iron Man’s world feel a bit more real, and watching Tony’s friends shows he has a full life. Then you have Tony being forced to miss the party due to his alter ego being needed, even when rescuing a cat, a pregnant woman, and Larry Hagman when he foolishly doesn’t evacuate and almost gets killed when his house wants to ride a mudslide. Even with Tony so busy, it’s a break from the supervillain battles he’s been dealing with.
What they got wrong: When Rhodey is about to celebrate Mrs. Arbogast’s return she makes some remark about him that gets him mad instead. Oh, that may be true to how their relationship was presented in the past. It was just mean of her to do so, and when THAT is all I can complain about, you know I’m stretching to get something here.
Recommendation: A nice, relaxing issue after all the drama Tony and friends have been through. However, it isn’t one of the must-have stories unless your a completist since it’s only a break from all of the heavy stories previously.
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