IRON MAN #318
(July, 1995) "Hot Metal."
Cover art: Tom Morgan.
Script: Len Kaminski.
Art: Tom Morgan.
A sad farewell to Len Kaminski....Ted Slaught, Tony's former teacher/mentor, has been turned into Slag, thanks to an accident at his lab. Other than the interesting flashbacks to Tony's college days (check out that "S" monogramed sportscoat!) the issue is a wash. However, cool glimpse of the "Arctic Armor" on page 29!
Hube's Recommendation: 2 repulsors!
Fan Reaction: How could you give the last Kaminski issue a "two?!" That was one of the only titles to actually focus on Tony Stark as the person and his development as the greatest super-hero in the Marvel Universe! The storytelling alone deserves a four out of five, and only a fool would get stuck on Morgan's art. Those flashbacks stand out as some of the best scenes in my whole Iron Man collection, and one very rare occurence where Tony needs guidance in a difficult time. Ted Slaught opens Tony's mind up, and we can see the adolescence and pessimism depart from his character. Stark became the adult necessary to run a multibillion dollar company. I don't need flashy art and big armor brawls to keep me entertained all the time; This is definitely one of my favorite IM issues ever! There's philosophy and true thought put into this one, and it was very sad to say good-bye to one of the best writers to ever grace the Iron Man pages. I'll admit that Tom Morgan wasn't the best choice to pencil, but it's also the last issue of the regular use of the modular armor, and the cover is very cool, too! This is just as much a collector's treasure as is any other four or five-repulsor, and even many of the older ones, because issue 318 is down to earth, and a true issue in Iron Man's history. - - Matt S.
Hube Responds: I don't see where I've "gotten stuck" on Morgan's art in my review above, although I certainly believe it sucks! What I do note in the review is that the flashbacks are indeed "interesting", so I agree with you! But that is about all. Slag was a hastily put-together villain (at least it came off that way) who utilized a never-before-heard-of Stark mentor. In my opinion, comparing the mildly-interesting banter between Stark and Slaught in this ish to truly classic Stark "weakness" issues like "Demon in a Bottle" (#128) or "Long Time Gone" (#78 and reprinted in the IM Monster issue, vol. 3 #46) demeans the latter two, and unjustly at that.
