Issue(s): Marvel Super Heroes #14 (Iron Man story only)
Cover Date: Jul 93 / Summer 93
Title: "Ludd conquers all"
Credits:
David Michelinie - Script
Brian Bauer - Plot
Bob McLeod - Penciler
Ralph Cabrera & Jim Amash - Inker
Dan Cuddy - Assistant Editor
Rob Tokar - Editor

Review/plot:
This is definitely one of the cases where you can see why a story didn't see print the first time. In this issue Iron Man fights a group of Luddites led by a General Ludd. They have on their side a super-powered guy named Brother Seraph, aka Reggie Bitters, whose power dismantles electronics.

They defeat Iron Man, but for some reason winning causes them to retreat.

Seraph is a little disillusioned by the other Luddites, especially since they use technology in the short term to achieve their goals.

Seraph got his powers while acting as a test subject for technology that i think was the prototype for the NES Power Glove.

But the power bonded with him permanently.

The public humiliation of free sodas.

So he got recruited into the Luddites.

I mean, Seraph is right. It's one thing for Luddites to say that they have to use technology. But goddamn if they don't have some of the most awesome technology i've ever seen.

Iron Man eventually finds an electro-magnetic frequency that cuts out Seraph's powers and then punches him out. The rest of the Luddites are then easy pickings for the police.

The best part of the story is Tony Stark condescendingly lecturing book publisher Sybil Carmichal, who made the mistake of wondering if the Luddites might have had some small point.

I have a feeling that Stark's chimes never got rung after all (c.f. Iron Man #136).

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The script goofily weaves the placement considerations into the opening narrative: "Some people live in the past. This story takes place there. And may well determine our future. England; Royal Science Grounds. Some years ago."

The appearance of book publisher Sybil Carmichal strongly suggests that this issue takes place on the same trip to England as Iron Man #136. Iron Man #136 has a week pass before the end of the story (after Endotherm is captured but before Stark visits him in a mental asylum). The MCP has the story taking place during that week. But Stark is still in in England after that final scene, so this could just as easily take place after all of Iron Man #136. From a placement perspective it doesn't matter; i'm placing this directly after Iron Man #136.

Dr. Strange and Speedball stories are covered in separate entries.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? Y (inventory story)

My Reprint: N/A