“Yesterday’s” Comic> Iron Man #237

Usually Tony’s the one all hands on a date.

Iron Man #237

Marvel (December, 1988)

After the events of the Armor Wars, Tony is dealing with lawsuits even though he “fired” Iron Man at the time. Some government guys ask him to check out one of their space station laboratories. “The new” Iron Man (still Tony) goes to investigate under the promise of government lawsuits dropped and pressure put on civilian lawsuits. What Tony finds is a station full of floating dead bodies and the cause, a genetically engineered satellite-eating monster programmed to kill, has moved on to Stark’s abandoned space station. The creature is also smart and gives Iron Man a challenge before he is able to stop it using AIM’s virus.

What they got right: A space survival story with Iron Man is a good idea that is well executed. Tony is forced to put his wits and tech to the test to finally win and the creature is rather formidable as it can mutate to adapt to an enemy.

What they got wrong: If the thing’s job was to destroy satellites, why is it also programmed to kill people? How many jobs does thing have? I also have trouble believing the government would create this kind of thing, at least ours and some other nations. The story also tries to claim that Regan’s Strategic Defense Initiative project (dubbed “Star Wars” by his critics) was a lie to create this project. I know Regan wouldn’t have approved of this thing and (I could be wrong about this, mind you) connecting it to SDI comes off as a political comment and otherwise a unnecessary connection. Also, and maybe it’s just the pattern in my collection, Michelinie keeps coming back to this space station. Why poison the place if he likes it so much?

Recommendation: It’s a good story that may not be a must-own but is still interesting enough to get if you come across it.