IRON MAN: BAD BLOOD #1
"A Gathering Dark." Cover art: Bob Layton. Script: David Michelinie. Art: Bob Layton. Yes!
Dave and Bob are back! And so are the goons who nearly took Tony Stark's life back in IM vol. 3 #8! They show up to trash Stark again -- only this time Tony has his armor right nearby. He dons it and makes short work of his foes. But....what is wrong with Tony's disposition? Very un-Stark-like! He threatens to "take off the arm" of one goon, and later he beats a Spymaster flunkie nearly to death! He also fires Happy Hogan! Say what? All this -- and Justin Hammer is back!! Dave's script is tight, but Bob seems a bit unsure of the new armor in this first issue.
Hube's Recommendation: 3 repulsors!
RON MAN: BAD BLOOD #2
"Smashing Seattle." Cover art: Bob Layton. Script: David Michelinie. Art: Bob Layton.
Tony is developing new "Evader" armors for commercial use! Jim Rhodes objects, asking "Didn't you swear you'd never sell stuff like that again?" Tony replies, "Things change." They sure do! Tony has a bigger "attitude" than we've ever seen him have -- something is definitely amiss. Later, Iron Man tracks down Spymaster's lair and a battle royal ensues! But Tony shows little regard for the innocent lives around him, and severely abuses SM in his defeat! He also points a pistol at -- Jim Rhodes? What the heck is going on?? SM's new outfit is pretty cool (the coloring scheme is much better than the multi-colored one seen in previews) while Layton's grasp on the new armor appears much better here.
Hube's Recommendation: 3 1/2 repulsors!
RON MAN: BAD BLOOD #3
"Enemy Mind." Cover art: Bob Layton. Script: David Michelinie. Art: Bob Layton.
Jim Rhodes attempts to figure out what the heck is wrong with Tony Stark -- by meeting with Happy Hogan and trying to convince Jocasta to give him access to Stark's personal files. Meanwhile, Tony begins sales of the Evader armors....but the first shipment is intercepted by a vehicle that then heads towards space -- and Justin Hammer!! Later, just as Rhodey and Jocasta figure out what ails Tony, Stark himself arrives and puts the kibosh on both of them....or does he?
Hube's Recommendation: 3 1/2 repulsors!
RON MAN: BAD BLOOD #4
"Terminal Space." Cover art: Bob Layton. Script: David Michelinie. Art: Bob Layton.
Tony, Rhodey and Jocasta figure out that Hammer's machinations are behind all that has happened lately, and Tony is certainly going to rectify that! Say "hello" to an all-new Space Armor as IM soars into orbit to do battle with his own Evaders and Hammer himself! We finally discover for certain that it was Hammer who was behind Tony's almost fatal beating back in vol. 3 #8. Very cool use of space by Michelinie, and the keeping "alive" the possibility of JH's return.
Hube's Recommendation: 3 1/2 repulsors!
