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Invincible Iron Man #243

Jun 1989

David Michelinie, Bob Layton

Story Name:

Heartbeaten

Synopsis

Invincible Iron Man #243 synopsis by T Vernon

Rating:

Tony Stark, shot last issue by Kathy Dare, is rushed to the emergency room; James Rhodes is told to wait outside the ER and he is surrounded by news reporters. Marcy Pearson steps in to promise them an official statement soon....

At the police station, Kathy Dare meets lawyer Bert Hindel, who was fired by Tony Stark and now seeks revenge (as well as fame). Hindel tells reporters that Tony Stark was abusive and Kathy shot him in self-defense—a statement that compels Rhodey to kick in the TV screen. Mrs. Arbogast sends Rhodey out to find Felix Alvarez and she also smashes the camera of a paparazzo trying to sneak photos of Tony in the ICU....

At home, Scott Lang watches and tries to comfort his daughter Cassie....

Rae Lacoste flies in, at her own expense, noted microsurgeon Dr Charles Ingwe....

Marcy Pearson suggests an appearance by Iron Man may help maintain the public's confidence in Stark Enterprises. Felix Alvarez reveals that Tony had left instructions to be read in case of emergency. In them, Tony names Marcy temporary head of the company, a role which she adapts to very quickly...and one which a watching Justin Hammer considers interesting....

Tigra stops by with flowers to visit Tony and she causes quite a sensation; directed to the friends' lounge, she decides instead to leave....

A TV news report surveys the life of Tony Stark, his industrial and business acumen and his connection with Iron Man and the Avengers; it also covers his battles with alcohol and his steamy romantic life. It also talks about Kathy Dare and the suspicion she torched the home of her previous paramour rock star Stevie Gazelle. Bryant Gumbel presents a special bulletin: live from the hospital, Dr Ingwe announces that Tony Stark will live...but he will never walk again....

Review / Commentaries

Invincible Iron Man #243 Review by T Vernon (August 15, 2017)

Comments: Iron Man appears only in archive footage on the TV news. Lawyer Bert Hindel was fired by Tony Stark in issue #237; the Burning Bed incident he cites took place in 1977 when abused housewife Francine Hughes killed her husband by setting fire to the bed while he slept; the resultant trial was seen as a victory for battered women, and inspired a book and movie. Actress Brie Daniels is mentioned as one of Tony's romances; she appeared in issues #222 and 225. Today Show host Bryant Gumbel is a real person, though all of the other media representatives are fictitious (Gumbel's story about David Letterman and the Connecticut State Police is also authentic but we'll stop here).

Review: Nice tense issue with everyone running around in confusion in the wake of a tragedy. Doesn't really advance the plot as much as examine a particular incident in depth as though time slowed down.

> Invincible Iron Man comic book info and issue index

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Holy smokes, Batman!
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Main/1st Story Full Credits

David Michelinie

Bob Layton

Barry Smith

Paul Becton

Bob Layton (Cover Penciler)
Bob Layton (Cover Inker)

Additional Credits

Letterer: Janice Chiang.
Editor: Howard Mackie.

All stories. Listed in alphabetical order.

Ant-Man
(Scott Lang)

Avengers

Iron Man
(Anthony Stark)

James Rhodes
(Rhodey)

Tigra
(Greer Nelson)

Plus: Bert Hindel, Cassie Lang, Felix Alvarez, Justin Hammer, Kathy Dare, Marcy Pearson, Mrs. Arbogast, Rae LaCoste.

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