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Iron Man Epic Collection
Iron Man Epic Collection, Vol. 13: Stark Wars
Collects Iron Man (1968) #215-232, Iron Man Annual #9.
Time for the Armored Avenger to start avenging! Tony Stark is back in the groove as Iron Man, from outer space to the ocean depths. But the new Stark Enterprises is on constant super-villain alert, under attack from familiar faces like Spymaster and new threats like the ethereal Ghost. And when Tony discovers that his technology has been stolen and abused, he declares war on anyone in armor! Iron Man's new ruthless streak brings him into conflict with the U.S. government, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. And as his actions grow ever more extreme, he must battle an old friend in a new guise - Steve Rogers, aka the Captain! By the time the dust settles on these Armor Wars, the world might need a new Iron Man!
Time for the Armored Avenger to start avenging! Tony Stark is back in the groove as Iron Man, from outer space to the ocean depths. But the new Stark Enterprises is on constant super-villain alert, under attack from familiar faces like Spymaster and new threats like the ethereal Ghost. And when Tony discovers that his technology has been stolen and abused, he declares war on anyone in armor! Iron Man's new ruthless streak brings him into conflict with the U.S. government, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. And as his actions grow ever more extreme, he must battle an old friend in a new guise - Steve Rogers, aka the Captain! By the time the dust settles on these Armor Wars, the world might need a new Iron Man!
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2022
The Armor Wars is one of my favorite Iron Man stories and it holds up pretty well to modern standards. The issues before it though keep this book from getting five stars. But Tony going after every armored character good or bad using his technology is well worth the read. We even get a preview of what Marvel’s Civil War will be like 20 years later in this book. The art is okay overall but there’s one issue done by Barry Windsor-Smith that looks phenomenal. Felt like a modern comic. Overall this book is a must read for Iron Man fans just for the Armor Wars storyline.
August 3, 2015
This is 80s Tony Stark at his best, with his mojo working, his perm tight and his lawyers ready to make acquisitions. The story kicks off with Tony getting another iteration of his namesake company in action, fighting corporate espionage and space viruses. There's a bit of clearing the slate to start: James Rhodes develops a crippling fear of going into the armor (convenient), a former ally turns out to be a traitor and is killed off, and an old secretary scoots back into her office chair.
But one that's settled the real storyline kicks in, and it involves Tony discovering that components of his Iron Man technology have been stolen by the underworld and are helping to power armored criminals and terrorists around the globe. Tony goes rogue to destroy this technology, double-crossing Nick Fury, zapping Captain America and causing an international incident with the Soviet Union. The CEO even has to fire his own alter ego due to the bad publicity, which must have made for an interesting exit interview.
The trappings of the times can be a bit silly--Tony plays up his privileged playboy side by taking 80s businessladies on lunch dates to Paris and Alaska. There's plenty of jogging, manicures, short shorts and mullets on display, with the period tone riding a nice line between fun and ridiculous.
The Armor Wars segment that close out the trade is engaging stuff, though, as Tony has to develop new tactics for taking out his armored foes, all while agonizing over the morality of his actions. Writer Bob Layton establishes Tony as a unique type of hero--he's a super CEO, a bit arrogant and abrasive, looking out for his own interests while also trying to do what's right. I thought it was a fun read, even if the volume doesn't quite transcend its times, both in storytelling and setting.
But one that's settled the real storyline kicks in, and it involves Tony discovering that components of his Iron Man technology have been stolen by the underworld and are helping to power armored criminals and terrorists around the globe. Tony goes rogue to destroy this technology, double-crossing Nick Fury, zapping Captain America and causing an international incident with the Soviet Union. The CEO even has to fire his own alter ego due to the bad publicity, which must have made for an interesting exit interview.
The trappings of the times can be a bit silly--Tony plays up his privileged playboy side by taking 80s businessladies on lunch dates to Paris and Alaska. There's plenty of jogging, manicures, short shorts and mullets on display, with the period tone riding a nice line between fun and ridiculous.
The Armor Wars segment that close out the trade is engaging stuff, though, as Tony has to develop new tactics for taking out his armored foes, all while agonizing over the morality of his actions. Writer Bob Layton establishes Tony as a unique type of hero--he's a super CEO, a bit arrogant and abrasive, looking out for his own interests while also trying to do what's right. I thought it was a fun read, even if the volume doesn't quite transcend its times, both in storytelling and setting.
October 14, 2024
David Michelinie and Bob Layton return to the pages of Iron Man and give us the now classic story of the Armor Wars.
April 1, 2018
This massive volume collects some epic Iron Man comics. The seeds are laid out in the earlier stories but the main event here is the 6-part Stark Wars storyline in which Tony Stark goes to any length to take his tech out of the wrong hands. MD Bright and Bob Layton kill it on the art and David Michelinie scripting and co-plotting with Layton capture the tale well. It is so VERY 80's though. Not necessarily in a bad way but in a noticeable way. Tony's haircut does not age well and the fashion is definitely of the time. A great selection of Iron Man tales that put him through the wringer without sending him on a bender.
February 28, 2020
A great saga that shows Tony as the paranoid man with a plan to save the world that we will see time and time again in the years to come. We even get a small taste of his willingness to clash with Steve Rogers and his fellow Avengers when the scenario calls for it.
March 17, 2019
The 80s must have been simpler times.
I mean growing up in the 80s, that was the line my parents tried to feed me. They kept me nice and sheltered so I didn't really know how the world was around me. I don't blame them--they were trying to keep me safe and I guess shielding your kids from how terrible the world can really be might be a strategy to pursue. The problem is, you aren't doing your kids any favors by protecting them in this way--eventually they will become adults and being naive about how the world works won't help them when they are on their own.
By the time that "Stark Wars" was published, comics weren't just for kids anymore. DC had published Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns and Alan Moore had completed a multi-year run on Swamp Thing (plant sex anyone?) Now I wasn't expecting this sort of story from a late 80s Iron Man story arc, but the world that Tony Stark inhabits seems to be a Republican's wet dream, filled with a now recovered (from alcoholism) Tony Stark pulling himself by his bootstraps and re-making his business empire. It's the American Dream made flesh.
And of course it's all crap.
My problem with this collection is that in the 1980s, it wasn't that a prolonged, epic story arc could exist--it could (see Crisis on Infinite Earths and "The Dark Phoenix Saga" for examples) and it wasn't that mature subject matter couldn't be addressed in the comics in a way that was appropriate to children. It could. Dennis O' Neil's own run on the book, where Tony becomes lost in a bottle is proof of that. The problem is in the execution. One of the things that really bothers me about David Michelinie's writing on this book is that he treats Tony's alcoholism as a thing that exists in the past--just give him a soda water and it's cool. Perhaps we did not understand alcoholism as an illness that a person will struggle with all of their life but I find that hard to believe. Ed Brubaker handles Tony's alcoholism brilliantly in his run on Captain America after Tony becomes the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony is constantly being confronted with stressful situations and that combined with his guilt over Steve's death makes his alcoholism front and center of his internal monologue when he makes a decision, often deriding the fact that the way he would really like to deal with his stressors is to have just one drink. He doesn't, but the demon is always lurking in the shadows. One would think that if a newly sober Tony Stark found out that his drinking was partially responsible for all of his tech being stolen, the temptation to fall off the wagon would be front and center. Perhaps Marvel didn't think a book like Iron Man could address this like other books could, but O' Neil had already made him an alcoholic--this is where the real drama lives. As for the epic story arc...again, Brubaker's work on Captain America is a shining example here. I've read over forty issues of the run and it is so intricately plotted and tight that one has to think that Brubaker had four years of Captain America already plotted out when he began. But without execution I wouldn't be comparing this to Brubaker.
The 80s were different times, and perhaps comparing this to modern comic storytelling is unfair. But there were great comic stories in the 80s and so I don't think it is a stretch to want more from this. So unfortunately, the highlight of this book is going to have to be when Tony hooks up with a hairdresser and she gives him a "modern" look--which in 1988 was a perm with a mullet.
I mean growing up in the 80s, that was the line my parents tried to feed me. They kept me nice and sheltered so I didn't really know how the world was around me. I don't blame them--they were trying to keep me safe and I guess shielding your kids from how terrible the world can really be might be a strategy to pursue. The problem is, you aren't doing your kids any favors by protecting them in this way--eventually they will become adults and being naive about how the world works won't help them when they are on their own.
By the time that "Stark Wars" was published, comics weren't just for kids anymore. DC had published Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns and Alan Moore had completed a multi-year run on Swamp Thing (plant sex anyone?) Now I wasn't expecting this sort of story from a late 80s Iron Man story arc, but the world that Tony Stark inhabits seems to be a Republican's wet dream, filled with a now recovered (from alcoholism) Tony Stark pulling himself by his bootstraps and re-making his business empire. It's the American Dream made flesh.
And of course it's all crap.
My problem with this collection is that in the 1980s, it wasn't that a prolonged, epic story arc could exist--it could (see Crisis on Infinite Earths and "The Dark Phoenix Saga" for examples) and it wasn't that mature subject matter couldn't be addressed in the comics in a way that was appropriate to children. It could. Dennis O' Neil's own run on the book, where Tony becomes lost in a bottle is proof of that. The problem is in the execution. One of the things that really bothers me about David Michelinie's writing on this book is that he treats Tony's alcoholism as a thing that exists in the past--just give him a soda water and it's cool. Perhaps we did not understand alcoholism as an illness that a person will struggle with all of their life but I find that hard to believe. Ed Brubaker handles Tony's alcoholism brilliantly in his run on Captain America after Tony becomes the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony is constantly being confronted with stressful situations and that combined with his guilt over Steve's death makes his alcoholism front and center of his internal monologue when he makes a decision, often deriding the fact that the way he would really like to deal with his stressors is to have just one drink. He doesn't, but the demon is always lurking in the shadows. One would think that if a newly sober Tony Stark found out that his drinking was partially responsible for all of his tech being stolen, the temptation to fall off the wagon would be front and center. Perhaps Marvel didn't think a book like Iron Man could address this like other books could, but O' Neil had already made him an alcoholic--this is where the real drama lives. As for the epic story arc...again, Brubaker's work on Captain America is a shining example here. I've read over forty issues of the run and it is so intricately plotted and tight that one has to think that Brubaker had four years of Captain America already plotted out when he began. But without execution I wouldn't be comparing this to Brubaker.
The 80s were different times, and perhaps comparing this to modern comic storytelling is unfair. But there were great comic stories in the 80s and so I don't think it is a stretch to want more from this. So unfortunately, the highlight of this book is going to have to be when Tony hooks up with a hairdresser and she gives him a "modern" look--which in 1988 was a perm with a mullet.
Read
August 11, 2022Honestly, I got about halfway through this before I just decided to put it down. I had never read any Iron Man before, and I think it was a mistake for me to try starting here.
I’ll give this volume the benefit of the doubt - it probably gets better during the actual Stark Wars run in the second half. But I was just bored out of my mind with all of the forgettable characters and villains, and unlikeable Tony… The art was fine, but nothing about the stories hooked me. It always seemed we were just keeping tabs on Tony’s money problems, while another throwaway threat delayed any tangible progress with anything that mattered…
I’m not totally burnt on Iron Man, but I’m DEFINITELY burnt on Micheline’s writing and don’t want to touch another comic from the 80s for as long as I can help it. The era’s just not for me.
I’ll give this volume the benefit of the doubt - it probably gets better during the actual Stark Wars run in the second half. But I was just bored out of my mind with all of the forgettable characters and villains, and unlikeable Tony… The art was fine, but nothing about the stories hooked me. It always seemed we were just keeping tabs on Tony’s money problems, while another throwaway threat delayed any tangible progress with anything that mattered…
I’m not totally burnt on Iron Man, but I’m DEFINITELY burnt on Micheline’s writing and don’t want to touch another comic from the 80s for as long as I can help it. The era’s just not for me.
May 24, 2023
Armor Wars is an 80s action movie in comic form. The story and themes are pretty shallow, but the characters are charismatic and likable and there are plenty of fun action sequences to keep you entertained all the way through. I actually think this is a really accessible story for new readers. It isn’t too steeped in continuity, and the very simple structure makes it easy for the uninitiated to get on board.
October 19, 2020
Great collection of stories that build to one of the most classical Iron Man stories. Some of the designs and styles are dated but the characterization is not. If you want to get into Iron Man but don’t know where to start, this volume is great. If you love Iron Man and just want a collection of some of his best stories, this is still great.
October 28, 2025
(3.5, but I'd rather round up on this one). solid iron man book, not really a character I've found stories I've enjoyed too much but this one was pretty good. I thought the overarching plot was solid and the artwork was consistent and great.
September 20, 2018
I always thought that Stark Wars / Armor Wars was the Iron Man story. But it winds up being much more interesting than an idea than in execution. Tony Stark realizes that his Iron Man suit has resulted in an increase of violence around the world so he tries to turn back time and get rid of his technology? Interesting.
He fights other industrialists and the U.S. Government? Also interesting.
But how does it play out? He fights Stingray. And The Beetle.
Blah. I was sure he was going to fight Hammer in an Iron Man suit.
He fights other industrialists and the U.S. Government? Also interesting.
But how does it play out? He fights Stingray. And The Beetle.
Blah. I was sure he was going to fight Hammer in an Iron Man suit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2019
This comic is so dated particularly when compared to some of the better Marvel comics of the eighties. The X-Men stories by Chris Claremont in particular blow this out of the water.
Then there is the art where nearly every single character is given muscles on top of their muscles.
I picked this up because it was billed to be one of Iron Man’s best story arcs. I can’t imagine what the other stories in Iron Man series are like.
Then there is the art where nearly every single character is given muscles on top of their muscles.
I picked this up because it was billed to be one of Iron Man’s best story arcs. I can’t imagine what the other stories in Iron Man series are like.
November 2, 2017
The team of Michelinie and Layton are work well together on this book. These issues are all very solid, at the least, and the Armor Wars issues are excellent.
April 14, 2019
Tony is back in the armor and finds himself facing a horde of new troubles. This collection features the Armor Wars, one of the best Arcs featuring the hero.
May 24, 2020
Read during Covid19 stay at home time. Iron Man prevailed so will we.
February 15, 2026
This contains Armor Wars one of the greatest Iron Man stories and the other comics are pretty good in this. 1987-1988. 8/10
January 30, 2024
…too many plot lines DNF but i enjoyed some parts
April 15, 2015
Like Superman, Iron Man is a character I've always had an interest in, but I've never found a story with him I really liked. This collection was definitely a push in the right direction for that. With most of the Iron Man stuff I've read I start reading the beginning, then about half way through I just read certain things, and by the end I'm just looking at the artwork to follow the story. That wasn't the case here. I actually read and enjoyed this whole book.
The big thing to know about this book is that it contains the issues usually collected as Armor Wars, and even a "Armor Wars Prologue" book. From what I've read the Armor Wars storyline is considered one of the best Iron Man stories, and I could see why. It was really enjoyable. Usually when you think of Tony Stark you think of the Robert Downy Jr. version, that swave carefree playboy. In the beginning of this collection that's what Tony mostly is. But as the Armor Wars really start to ramp up you see the subtle change he makes to becoming more obsessive and scary. It was great to read this change brought about subtly and in a real way, caused by real events.
The rest of the book is just as enjoyable. There's a three part Ghost story that I really enjoyed. There some great "tech talk" that probably doesn't make any real sense but I still enjoyed. We even get some business stuff thrown in, but not too much to make it boring. Yeah, I get that Tony Stark is a company man, and it's cool to be reminded of that, but I really want to see him shooting shit with his repulsier rays. This book gives you just enough business talk to keep it in your mind, but not bore you to pieces.
The art is good, but it's not really stand out. The story telling is clear, and the panel layouts are good, but it just seems like basic "this is how you draw a superhero comic" kind of art work. It's not really bad, it's just kind of uninspired.
My big problem with this book is that Iron Man's villains are not very good. Has he always suffered from that? I get that the point of the Armor War storyline is Tony going after guys who stole his tech, so of course we are going to see lots of guys in armor, but it seems like that's what Tony fights most of the time anyway? I really wish Tony had some stronger villians in his rouges gallery.
Overall a good read. If you're looking to get into Iron Man this is a good place to start.
The big thing to know about this book is that it contains the issues usually collected as Armor Wars, and even a "Armor Wars Prologue" book. From what I've read the Armor Wars storyline is considered one of the best Iron Man stories, and I could see why. It was really enjoyable. Usually when you think of Tony Stark you think of the Robert Downy Jr. version, that swave carefree playboy. In the beginning of this collection that's what Tony mostly is. But as the Armor Wars really start to ramp up you see the subtle change he makes to becoming more obsessive and scary. It was great to read this change brought about subtly and in a real way, caused by real events.
The rest of the book is just as enjoyable. There's a three part Ghost story that I really enjoyed. There some great "tech talk" that probably doesn't make any real sense but I still enjoyed. We even get some business stuff thrown in, but not too much to make it boring. Yeah, I get that Tony Stark is a company man, and it's cool to be reminded of that, but I really want to see him shooting shit with his repulsier rays. This book gives you just enough business talk to keep it in your mind, but not bore you to pieces.
The art is good, but it's not really stand out. The story telling is clear, and the panel layouts are good, but it just seems like basic "this is how you draw a superhero comic" kind of art work. It's not really bad, it's just kind of uninspired.
My big problem with this book is that Iron Man's villains are not very good. Has he always suffered from that? I get that the point of the Armor War storyline is Tony going after guys who stole his tech, so of course we are going to see lots of guys in armor, but it seems like that's what Tony fights most of the time anyway? I really wish Tony had some stronger villians in his rouges gallery.
Overall a good read. If you're looking to get into Iron Man this is a good place to start.
January 20, 2015
This is some of my favorite Iron Man, the stories I read in my high school years, featuring Tony and Rhodey side by side as Layton and Michelinie really hit their stride with characters they'd been working on for quite some time to very good effect.
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