Owning a copy of the 2006 Iron Man, "Iron Man: The Complete Comic Book Collection" has its definite advantages. The DVD collects every Iron Man issue from 1963-2006 save for the Iron Man/Submariner book that was a bridge between Tales of Suspense and Iron Man's own title.

As we gear up for Iron Man 3 on May 3rd, I'm reading through some of the great Iron Man story lines.

Actually I read all the stories right up through the first story arch cited on multiple sites as a great Iron Man Story: Beginning of the End.

Each was written by Archie Goodwin (and not the one who works for Nero Wolfe). The 7 books ran from September 1969-March 1970.

In some ways, it wasn't a modern superhero story arch. For all intents and purposes, Issues 17-19 were one arch and 21-23 were another. But they built upon each another and we see real development in the Tony Stark character.

Ironically, at the time, Stan Lee was announcing that Marvel was swearing off multi-part stories. These stories illustrate what a mistake that would be when you're talking about fully developed stories from the late Silver age.

The action kicks off when a Life Model Decoy (i.e. an android version of Stark used for security) is brought to life. The LMD determines to replace Stark believing that without Stark's frailty that it's a superior Stark and a Superior Iron Man. It supplants Tony and has everyone believing he's an impostor. Tony is quickly down and out without his Iron Man armor or any funds, replaced by his own creation.

However, a greedy super villain named Midas wants to steal Stark's fortune. Assuming Tony to be a look-a-like, he plans to recruit Tony to steal his own fortune for Midas.

And that's just the first issue! Over the seven issues, we get the first appearance of Madam Masque, guest sports by Crimson Dynamo and Titanium Man, a change in Stark's health status, a guest appearance by the Avengers, a death of a supporting character, and a replacement Iron Man.

There's plenty of action and human drama. These seven issues are groundbreaking and show how much Goodwin managed to do in 2 years to revive a title that had languished in the last year of the overburdered Stan Lee's stewardship.

Rating: 4.5 Shellheads out of 5.0

This great adventure is reprinted in Black and White in Essential Iron Man, Vol. 3 and in color in Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man, Vol. 6