Invincible Iron Man #11: Review

Sep 1997

Jeph Loeb, Whilce Portacio

Story Name:

Magical Mystery Tour

Review & Comments

Rating:

Invincible Iron Man #11 Review by T Vernon (August 20, 2019)

Comments: First brief appearance of She-Hulk and a more human-looking Doc Samson. Doctor Doom is familiar with THE WIZARD OF OZ but refers to the pirate Blackbeard as “Bluebeard,” a very different villain. Title comes from a Beatles album.

Review: Wait, what? When did Tony and Rebel switch armors in issue #10? It must have been between their battle with the Russian heroes and their invasion of Hydra HQ. But why were they calling each other by the switched names? That doesn't make sense that they would have the presence of mind to stay in character during a violent battle scene. This issue has a footnote claiming the switch can be spotted in #10 but I didn't see it. So be it. Aaaanyway, Tony and Doom get bounced back into various moments from the 616 universe which is the equivalent of a TV clip show. But a cool clip show as we also get a bit of commentary from the naturally confused Heroes Reborn Shellhead. And then Watcher runs in to warn us about the advent of Galactus! Wooo. A pretty good issue leads to a classic for this incarnation of the Shellhead and the rest!

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Invincible Iron Man #11 Synopsis by T Vernon

Doctor Doom exults over the death of Iron Man and orders Rebel O'Reilly to strip him of his armor; here we learn that Tony and Rebel had switched armors and it is Rebel lying dead on the table. Tony quickly dons his armor and challenges Doom in his own throne room. Their tussle takes them to Doom's time machine and they are accidentally hurled back in time...and they see things neither one recognizes: the attack of Onslaught. The formation of the Avengers (AVENGERS #1). The FF's first meeting with Doctor Doom and Thing's career as Blackbeard (FANTASTIC FOUR #5). Their joint adventure in Camelot (IRON MAN #150) where Merlin the Magician offers up some puzzling comments. Ancient Egypt during the reign of Rama Tut (FF #17) who recognizes Doom. One million B.C. Air-Walker planting the Catalyst Pod, leading to the development of life and civilization on Earth. Doom is very interested in this last but they are hurled back to their present. Doom allows Iron Man to go, letting him take Rebel's body too....

At Rebel's graveside, Tony recounts his adventure to Reed Richards, with Doom's cryptic remarks on alternate realities. They wonder how their lives became intermingled with that of Rebel O'Reilly—and then the Watcher appears warning them of the coming of the Devourer of Worlds when the heroes must reunite. And then Hulk arrives with Doc Samson and She-Hulk, the Hulkbusters!