"A fine night for dying!" - August 1976
"Madness is all in the mind!" - September 1976
"The mystery of the Wraith!" - October 1976
"The trial of the Wraith!" - November 1976
Story: Bill Mantlo
Art: Sal Buscema & Mike Esposito
Story:
There's a mad bomber on the loose and the police are completely baffled by the case. His latest objective was the Stark International jet fuel tank reservoirs. The following explosion sends Spidey (who just happened to be in the neighbourhood) flying across the sky, only to be rescued at the last second by Iron Man.
There's a mad bomber on the loose and the police are completely baffled by the case. His latest objective was the Stark International jet fuel tank reservoirs. The following explosion sends Spidey (who just happened to be in the neighbourhood) flying across the sky, only to be rescued at the last second by Iron Man.
The two heroes are then recruited by police captain Jean De Wolff. She's in the middle of debriefing them when the three characters are attacked by a mysterious hooded man calling himself The Wraith, a new villain who is able to manipulate the mind of others and make them see any hallucination he wishes them to see. The Wraith disappears before IM and Spidey get a chance to apprehend him, so the two heroes decide to ask the help of someone perhaps more suited in this kind of case, the master of the mystic arts, Doctor Strange. I can't tell you much more without revealing the ultimate plot twists so I'll shut up now.
What's cool:
Aside from being an entertaining story featuring Iron Man and Spider-Man, you mean? Glad you asked, 'cause there's more actually.
What's cool:
Aside from being an entertaining story featuring Iron Man and Spider-Man, you mean? Glad you asked, 'cause there's more actually.
Remember the Midas take-over of Stark International (IM #103-107)? If you were like me when you read these issues, you probably asked yourself who the heck was that Jean De Wolff cop lady and that Wraith guy who were helping Tony?!? These issues answer your questions and also explain the origin of their relationship with Shellhead.
As far as I know, this is the second meeting between IM and Spidey, without the rest of the Avengers around (they met before in MTU #9, thanks Scott). Their early relationship is a very rocky one (which makes it very interesting), but they get friendlier with each other as the plot moves along. And before the story is over, you'll also catch glimpses of J.J. Jameson (one scene between him and Parker in the courtroom is hilarious), Professor X, Moondragon, Daredevil, the Hulk and Nick Fury. All in all, a fun read.
What's baaad:
Keep in mind that this is an early 1970s comic. The story is a bit cheesy, there are a lot of technological doohickeys that don't make much sense and some of the so-called detective techniques used to solve the crime are… well… wacky. The art is all right… not Sal Buscema's best, but still all right. I really love the first two covers though, even if the scenes depicted on them don't actually occur in the comics.
Quote:
What's baaad:
Keep in mind that this is an early 1970s comic. The story is a bit cheesy, there are a lot of technological doohickeys that don't make much sense and some of the so-called detective techniques used to solve the crime are… well… wacky. The art is all right… not Sal Buscema's best, but still all right. I really love the first two covers though, even if the scenes depicted on them don't actually occur in the comics.
Quote:
When Iron Man suspects him of being involved in the mysterious bombings, Spidey replies: "Of all the Avengers, it's you and Thor who get me most! The high and mighty founding fathers of a venerable old team, preaching about respecting each other's privacy - and then coming down on ME because I like to hold on to mine! Ask the Vision or the Scarlet Witch or Moondragon which side I'm on, pal - and then take your suspicions and buzz off!"
Comments
Post a Comment