Invincible Iron Man #276: Review

Jan 1992

John Byrne, Paul Ryan

Story Name:

With Friends Like These...

Review & Comments

Rating:

Invincible Iron Man #276 Review by T Vernon (May 15, 2018)

Comments: Part one of two parts. The title comes from the saying “With friends like these, I don't need enemies” indicating one's close associates proving to be more trouble than enemies (fulfilled on the final page). Odd note: there is an African American staffer at the NORAD base with a prominent name tag that says Cosby but the character does not resemble Bill Cosby nor is there any reason why there should be a joke association between the comedian and the nation's defense grid.

Review: Okay suspense/spy tale has a little trouble maintaining tension—and this with the clock ticking down to World War III. Though I admit I didn't see that final twist coming, which sets up the next issue's plot. The redeeming bit about this issue is the spectacular scenes of Iron Man fighting his way through a huge gauntlet of state-of-the-art military weaponry but even that gets a bit tedious as it seems to take up half the page count. Surprisingly unmemorable considering the talent and the situation.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Invincible Iron Man #276 Synopsis by T Vernon

Early one morning, Tony Stark is woken in his bed by the Black Widow, asking for help from Iron Man. Tony explains that he is no longer Iron Man due to the debilitating condition of his nervous system and he has but a short time to live. Natasha explains that she needs Tony's brain as well as his armor because they have only 90 minutes to stop the plan of Soviet sleeper agent Oktober and prevent World War III. Reluctantly, Tony gives in to her claims that only Iron Man can save the day and he suits up. He has Widow get into an experimental sub-orbital craft, straps it to his back and takes off for Mount Thunder in the Midwest, NORAD headquarters. Shellhead contacts NORAD for permission to land; they refuse as they are in the middle of a security and weapons drill and if Iron Man appears in the area he will be shot down. This is what Natasha thought would happen so the Armored Avenger fights his way through a barrage of defensive missiles and other weapons. Entering the base, they continue on foot through another gauntlet of gunfire, unaware that if they make it to the Zero Zone, the base will self-destruct. They make it to their goal: the room from which a single person can launch a missile attack on the USSR. As the seconds tick down, Iron Man is able to open the lock and enter. He sees nothing wrong in the room and is then immobilized by the Black Widow, who reveals herself to be Oktober....