Sophia’s Reviews > Iron Man Epic Collection, Vol. 17: War Machine > Status Update

Issue #289
That WAS cruel. Rhodey gave the Living Laser hope and then he just attacked him…

I mean, I suppose the idea of Laser being a threat was enough for Rhodes but he did seem amenable to being hired!

Anyway, Morgan Stark becomes unreliable to the businessmen and Rhodey gets the surprise of his life…

Tony Stark is alive!
Rhodes is so mad he quits right then and there…

Issue #288
Skimmed the beginning. Rhodey as Iron Man makes a deal with Atom Smasher for Stark Enterprises to expose what’s really going on with those nuclear sites.

Marcy plants evidence in Rhodey’s house, framing him for Tony Stark’s murder?!

Also, not sure why but Living Laser was going around in a Tony disguise for some reason??
He does NOT seem happy with Rhodey…

I didn’t read Issue #287 too closely but I did pick up some things…

Rhodey and Ms LaCoste get… close, Marcy swears Rhodes will pay for firing her and Morgan Stark says she won’t refuse his offer.

And then the scientists watching over Tony are surprised they’re picking up brainwave activity.

Plus a cool original sketch page for an Iron Man Annual.

Issue #285 -
The AWC really didn’t want to talk things out…
Pym immediately shrinks Rhodey, without letting him explain things.

And when he saves Jan, she’s like ‘you could’ve told us you were on our side’!?
You didn’t give him a chance to!

Mid-fight, Kathy decides she can’t live without Tony…
It’s a shame she didn’t get the true help she needed.

Morgan Stark is ready to take everything that was Tony’s…

Issue #285 -
Tony’s funeral is interrupted. Rhodey thinks things are really up to him now…

Meanwhile, Tony is remembering his troubled childhood with his alcoholic father…

The villains thought they knew how to deal with him… But War Machine shows he’s got some moves not seen before!

Is he called WM? I don’t think so but that’s what I’m going to call him.

Issue #284 -
Weird continuity moment where we see the news announce Tony died but then we see doctors operating on him…

Anyway, Rhodey is devastated.

So are many people across the world. Although, of course some see this as an opportunity.

Tony left a message for his old friend. He gives Rhodes the War Machine suit and Stark Enterprise!

Marcy is NOT happy…

Then we learn Tony's in cryogenic suspension!

The rest of Annual #13 included a prose about Iron Man’s villains and a couple of short stories.

Apparently, Mrs Arbogast runs a tight ship!

The others I was less interested in. How could Tony have been on his death bed in ish#283 then fly off to Russia and Austral Island?!


I am skipping Marvel Holiday Special 1992 for now.

The Annual crossover Assault on Armor Island deals with Tony’s continual guilt that his tech’s been used to hurt innocents.

One conflict with Darkhawk later and they’re teaming up!

WCA decided to help too. But also make sure Tony doesn’t go off the deep end.

In the end, Tony knows that he won’t ever wipe his tech from the world, but at least he can be two steps ahead…

I like the poster by Bob Layton!

Issue #283 -
The first half was Tony blasting his way to Justin Hammer.

He forces a deal that completely exonerates Tony and frees Stane International from Hammer’s influence.

Then after being scolded by his doctor, Tony makes sure he puts smoke up his workers' butts to get what he needs done…

The other shadowy business men plan to wait and watch…

Next issue is ‘it’! (After an Annual crossover.)

Iron Man #282 -
War Machine (as the cover says) battles the Masters of Silence.

Until Rhodey, with a little help from Fury, finds evidence to show that Tony has been framed!

By none other than Justin Hammer, using Stane International!

Wanting to strike back at those who lied, the Masters team up with Tony!