IRON MAN vol. 3 #49 (394)
(Feb. 2002) -Silent Issue-
Cover art: Some dudes from Udon Studios.
Script: Frank Tieri. Art: Chris Batista/Rich Perotta.
In Iron Man's" 'Nuff Said" issue, we start off by scoping Pepper, Happy, and Sun Tao in an SE (that's Stark Enterprises again, natch!) lab following the progress of Iron Man, who's in space putting the final touches on a new SE communications satellite. Elsewhere -- in what must be a Stark-Fujikawafacility (don't believe me? Check out page 5!) -- we someone dudded up in a new Titanium Man armor! Who is it? We're led to believe it is the original T-Man, Boris Bullski, as this guy checks out pictures and news clippings from the past which show Bullski and/or him in the original T-Man armor (page 6). This same page also hints at how Bullski may still be alive from his "death" back in IM #317 -- there is some sort of "plug-in" to his brain that's connected to the armor! However, if it is Bullski, he's now using T-Man armor which is virtually identical to the Gremlin's T-Man (see IM #229, for one reference). At any rate, T-Man jets off to SE, smashes his way in, and takes out Hap, Pep, and Sun-Tao. Once discovering IM's whereabouts, T-Man jets off to confront him. The two do battle, IM's systems overload causing him to drift helplessly back to Earth, while T-Man is left adrift. But, what's this? A Stark-Fujikawa space shuttle picks up the T-Man! Meanwhile, IM lands back on Earth (conveniently right next to SE headquarters) to witness his building aflame! A competent Tieri swan song, while Batista's art is equally competent. The back of the ish also features the written plot synopsis, which is continued on Marvel.com.
Hube's Recommendation: 3 repulsors!
