Invincible Iron Man #89: Review

Aug 1976

Archie Goodwin, George Tuska

Story Name:

Brute fury

Review & Comments

Rating:

Invincible Iron Man #89 Review by T Vernon (May 20, 2014)

Review: This had to be a team-up issue since the only way to beat the Blood Brothers is to separate them, as Iron Man and the Thing did once—but Daredevil? He’s not a heavy hitter and the sight of him throwing punches with a dude who looks like he’s made of stone is bizarre, to say the least. And that strange cover where no one seems to be standing on the same plane—whoa! Not a great issue as it seems evenly divided between an unlikely battle and plot threads for later stories, but it’s okay. There have been worse stories (is that the lowest form of praise ever?). Next up: the Controller!

Comments: Part two of a two part story. Story takes place at the same time as DAREDEVIL #137. Iron Man learned the secret of the Blood Brothers’ power in MARVEL FEATURE #12; how quickly they forget. Final appearance to date (2014) of Roxanne Gilbert, though Tony thinks about her in #95.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Invincible Iron Man #89 Synopsis by T Vernon

His armor damaged, Iron Man is pinned under the water beneath a pier; the only thing that works is his jet boots. He bursts out from under the water but the jets cut out on him and he plunges into the river….

Daredevil, observing the disaster at the Lincoln Tunnel caused by the Blood Brothers, discovers Iron Man unable to escape from the river because of the weight of his armor. DD pulls him out and, despite having to track down the kidnappers of his beloved Karen Page, joins in the search for the Blood Brothers….

Subplots, all in one place: Roxanne Gilbert leaves town, shady private eye Harry Key is stopped by Michael O’Brien on his way to his new scheme; O’Brien and Key cut a deal to help each other.

The Blood Brothers are digging into a rubble-strewn lot in Chelsea. The heroes arrive and engage them in battle. DD catches on that they derive their strength from each other so Shellhead and Hornhead work to put some distance between their foes and easily overpower them.

Epilogue: The villain buried beneath the lot is revealed to be the Controller….