Synopsis
Iron Man (1968 series) #171 synopsis by
T Vernon
Rating:
Thunderball of the Wrecking Crew is in Niagara Falls looking for his ex-wife Rhonda and her new husband with vengeance on his mind….
James Rhodes is testing out his armor now that he is the new Iron Man, getting used to handling it. Dr. Morley Erwin supervises and when the tests are done, Rhodey offers to drive Morley to visit his sister—in Niagara Falls….
Meanwhile, Tony Stark is in his penthouse wondering whether to stay sober but his latest girlfriend Heather Glenn (whom he doesn’t remember in the morning) enters with breakfast, complete with booze….
In the massive electrical plant in Niagara Falls, Thunderball breaks in and takes hostages, one of whom is Clytemnestra Erwin, Morley’s sister. He is demanding to speak to his ex, Rhonda. Hearing about this on the radio, Rhodey suits up and heads to the scene as Iron Man. Inside, the villain, having made his point, releases his hostages but Clytemnestra chooses to remain to make sure he doesn’t cause any damage to the station that powers the northeastern USA. Iron Man arrives and takes on Thunderball—until Clytie yells at them to knock it off and suggests that Shellhead simply find Rhonda. He takes off and locates Rhonda and her new husband at a local bank—which is in the middle of a robbery. Iron Man foils the robbery but Rhonda refuses to come, wanting nothing more to do with her ex….
Elsewhere, Tony passes out drunk at a party and Heather goes off with Mayor’s aide Tarkington Brown, who means no good….
Iron Man returns to the plant where a disappointed Thunderball naturally starts a fight. The hero takes a beating because he is unaware that the villain controls his ball and chain mentally and that it can drain Shellhead’s power. Clytemnestra flicks the lights off and on, sending a Morse Code message to Iron Man to grasp the cable; he does and is quickly recharged. With his new power, Iron Man has no trouble defeating his foe. Morley Erwin arrives to find his sister safe and sound—but he brings the news that Tony Stark has been arrested….
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Wrecking Crew.