Issue(s): US 1 #6
Cover Date: Oct 83
Title: "Iron Mike: King of the bike!"
Credits:
Al Milgrom - Writer
Frank Springer - Penciler
Mike Esposito - Inker
Bob Harras - Assistant Editor
Ralph Macchio - Editor

Review/plot:
This issue answers the question, asked in the letters pages, of how U.S. Archer could afford all the gadgets in his truck, and the answer is that Poppa Wheelie and Wide Load Annie have mortgaged their diner to help pay for it. And now the mortgage payments are overdue (as they are informed by the banker "Phil LeGreed"). So U.S. Archer and Annie take an actual job delivering cargo in the truck.

That puts them in conflict with a motorcycle gang that is taking all the goods delivered to the destination town.

Loved this "cleanliness is next to impossible" joke. It's apparently an old joke but i had never heard it so shut up.

So U.S. and Annie have to take out the town, resulting in some more impossible truck maneuvering...

...and some more plausible ones.

Earlier, Annie makes a Nick Fury reference.

Of course she could have just read comics or newspapers about Fury, but i wouldn't mind learning that she used to hang out with the Howlers.

Money troubles? An ordinary motorcycle gang that has nothing to do with the Highwayman? Don't go realistic on me now, U.S. 1! (Don't worry; next issue the truck itself will narrate the story.)

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This issue might begin with U.S. and Retread returning from the race with Taryn. This issue definitely ends with Annie getting hypnotized by Midnight in a set-up for next issue. I'm still allowing space between issues for travel time, however.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A