Issue(s): Iron Man #217
Cover Date: Apr 87
Title: "Metamorphosis oddity"
Credits:
David Michelinie - Script
David Michelinie & Bob Layton - Plot
M.D. Bright - Penciler
Bob Layton - Inker
Gregory Wright - Assistant Editor
Mark Gruenwald - Editor

Review/plot:
Well, this issue is really about continuing to establish the new Stark Enterprise premise and telling us who the main villain will be.

On the former point, when a reporter at a press conference shows just the slightest amount of critical thinking, he immediately begins a campaign to hire her as his PR agent, using a combination of flirting and dazzling her with his vast wealth.

And it works.

On the latter, point, a new helicopter goes on a remote controlled attack (with Rhodey inside)...

...and it turns out to be the work of Justin Hammer.

Corporate execs hiring their critics to shut them up would be an interesting theme, but Marcy Pearson's question was hardly hostile and i don't think that's the direction Michelinie & Layton were going anyway.

Last issue, Tony realized it was the stealth component of the armor that was affecting his health, so this issue we see him planning on removing it while also possibly slimming down the suit. The ability to become invisible combined with all of his other powers may have seemed to be too much for Michelinie & Layton, but tinkering the armor and coming up with variations was a big part of their first run, and we'll see more of that next issue as well.

We also see Tony's new house, which looks a lot like the version in the movies.

Cameo by Chevy Chase, who can't get his family into Disneyland since Stark has rented it out to impress Marcy, so he decides to go to Wally World instead.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - first Marcy Pearson

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• Justin Hammer was first seen in Iron Man #125-127.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A