Invincible Iron Man #86: Review

May 1976

Bill Mantlo, George Tuska

Story Name:

The Gentleman's Name Is Blizzard!

Review & Comments

Rating:

Invincible Iron Man #86 Review by T Vernon (April 22, 2014)

Review: Yeah, I know, cold villains are a dime a dozen but I find this guy a lot cooler (no pun intended) than he was as Jack Frost. Perhaps because I’m writing this on one of the snowiest winters on record in my city but I find Blizzard to be a very chilling bad guy (again, no pun intended) and the way he takes down Iron Man to be quite impressive. Ask me for a second opinion next summer.

Comments: Part one of a two part story. First appearance of Blizzard under this name; he will be revealed next issue to be Gregor Shapanka, villain of TALES OF SUSPENSE #45 as Jack Frost. Issue prints the letters column intended for #85 but omitted for space reasons.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Invincible Iron Man #86 Synopsis by T Vernon

On a very hot day, Iron Man flies to the hospital and retracts his new microthin armor to visit Happy Hogan. Hap is in a good mood, though a weary Pepper still holds a grudge against Tony for putting her husband in harm’s way (issues #82-83). Meanwhile, at Stark Industries, a villain calling himself Blizzard freezes the guards into immobility with an icy blast and heads deeper into the building after his goal: Stark’s Climatron. On his way back to the plant, Tony encounters Michael O’Brien who continues to blame him for his brother Kevin’s death. Tony learns about the fuss at the factory from him and heads there immediately as Iron Man. The Armored Avenger enters the plant to find it a gleaming cavern of ice. He comes upon Blizzard who has used extreme cold to crack open the safe holding the Climatron, a device which can control weather. The foes fight as Blizzard mocks the hero, claiming they have met before. Iron Man, losing power, is overcome by the villain who freezes him solid. Pepper, who followed him into the plant, arrives to find Iron Man lying apparently dead beneath a layer of ice….