Iron Man (1968 series) #39

Review: What if the Mandarin was an idiot—and knew it? That’s the premise of the White Dragon, a pseudo-Asian megalomaniac with sketchy past who is constantly battling self-esteem issues. His sinister scheme involves hypnotizing Tony Stark into building “imploding bullets” whose purpose is never made clear. Meanwhile, Tony thinks he’s a method actor who won’t drop character until the DVD commentary—and overdoes it by snubbing Jasper Sitwell. Later he falls out of the sky not once but twice, making him look like a loser. And the Avengers fare no better: they spot villains dragging Iron Man away, so they chase them off—not capturing or even following them. Then they question Tony in a hostile manner, as though he had ruined their busy day by being in danger; finally, when he snarls at them, they let him go, even though he was just in a fight, fell from the sky, and is now acting like a stroke victim. “We’ll let him sort out his own business, guys.” Wait, even though there are clearly witnesses to Stark’s car going into the river, no one ever seems to find out about it or come to investigate? You’d think a car crashing into a river would excite some notice, and that discovering from the license plate it was Tony Stark’s would set off some alarms. But no; no one ever realizes he was gone. And why does no one but Kevin see Iron Man plummet to the ground in front of Stark Industries, even though it’s broad daylight? Are the workers chained to desks in windowless cubicles? Has the security team been laid off because Iron Man can (almost) handle anything? Rushed art by Herb Trimpe (pencils and inks) suggests he was a last-minute fill-in and his style does not suit Iron Man at all. Though note the final page, one full classic bwa-ha-ha moment!

Comments: Part one of a two-part story. Kevin O’Brien’s name now seems to be officially spelled “O’Brian.” This White Dragon is no relation to the martial artist baddie introduced in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #184 who later returned during DARK REIGN. Avengers appearing briefly are Captain America, Thor, Falcon, Goliath (Clint Barton). Frankie Majors from last issue appears in a single panel—and that’s it for him.

The Avengers team involved here is not the regular group at the time. Goliath is the only full-time member. Captain America, Iron Man and Thor are frequent guest stars, but Falcon isn't. However this team is the one that appears in Avengers #88, which the Official Index and Marvel Continuity project say occurs in the week between Stark being captured by White Dragon and his visit to Avengers Mansion. I presume Av#88 happens just before the Avengers Mansion stuff here, which explains why Falcon's still around. Indeed the Official Index omits the bit about Iron Man flying to the Mansion, allowing the action to follow directly from Av#88. The strange team in Av#88 was assembled for 2 reasons. Falcon was involved in an initial flashback which led to the main story. The other regular Avengers (Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Vision) were busy with something else, which would be followed up on in Av#89, leading to the famous Kree/Skrull War epic.