Invincible Iron Man #291: Review

Apr 1993

Len Kaminski, Kev Hopgood

Story Name:

Judgment Day

Review & Comments

Rating:

Invincible Iron Man #291 Review by Scott Cartwright (September 11, 2018)

Comments: Part two of two parts. Rhodey's armor called War Machine for the first time. My old pal Scott Benson is credited with creating the computer graphics. Shellhead says “Say goodnight, Gracie,” catchphrase of comedy team George Burns and Gracie Allen (from the 1930s to the 60s). Rhodey's “Time to make the donuts” comes from a TV commercial for...Dunkin Donuts (surprise!). And his “hasta la vista, baby” is from TERMINATOR 2. War Machine/Rhodey is next seen in AVENGERS WEST COAST #94; his next Iron Man appearance is Annual #14 then in issue #299.

Review: Spectacular battle scenes against droids, allowing for maximum smashing, leads to some poignant interpersonal drama which in turn leads to...a new major character in the Marvel Universe! Nicely done sequence showing how once again Tony Stark has run over a friend's sensibilities to reach his own goals and now he can't take it back. Yeah, the two guys would reconcile eventually but this one was painful.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Invincible Iron Man #291 Synopsis by T Vernon

The paralyzed Tony Stark fights the battledroids assaulting Stark Enterprises with his brand new Iron Man armor by remote control. Attacking the tank, he jacks into the 'droids battle network—and realizes that this could harm him. He shuts it all down and studies the programming to discover that the 'droids are after James Rhodes, ex-CEO of SE. Tony is in a great deal of pain and the armor is severely damaged but he can't let his friend down....

At home, Rhodey has taken a stand on his rooftop against his metal attackers, when Iron Man swoops down, blasts the 'droids, and hands Rhodey a case with the War Machine armor before the new armor breaks down completely. Rhodey suits up and dispatches all of the remaining attackers with extreme violence. He then delivers the Iron Man armor back to Tony in his infirmary bed. Rhodey strips off his armor dropping it piece by piece on the floor while reiterating that he wants nothing to do with Tony Stark any more. Tony in turn apologizes for keeping his survival a secret from Rhodey, realizing that was a bad idea but reminds Rhodey that the War Machine armor belongs to him (Rhodey) and that he should use it, prove himself better than Tony. Rhodey walks out in his underwear, realizes Tony is right and returns for the armor. Later he calls the Avengers West Coast....

As he lies in his bed brooding on how he lost his best friend but the world has gained a new hero, Tony is surprised when Dr Erica Sondheim points out that he has moved his hand. It hurts but Tony has a lot of work to do....

Story #2