Iron Man #206

Title: “Prisons”

Writer: Denny O’Neil

Penciller: Mark Bright

Inker: Akin & Garvey

Colors: Bob Sharen

Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Goliath strains against his adamantium cell as he has been doing for the past week, but the cell still won’t give. He tries to grow to maximum size, but finds that he can’t as the walls of his cell are holding him back. Hawkeye and Mockingbird walk into the room each with a mountain of burgers on giant serving trays. Goliath asks if this is more grease burgers. Hawkeye tells Goliath to put a sock in it, and that he should be glad they are feeding him at all. Mockingbird says that Goliath’s food bill is their greatest expense these days. Goliath says that if he is such a bother that they could let him go. Hawkeye says that there is no chance. He pushes the giant plate of burgers through a slot in the cage with a giant stick. He says that he hopes they give Goliath a king size case of heartburn. As Hawkeye and Mockingbird walk out, Goliath tells them that when he is done with this snack how about they bring him a real meal. Goliath tosses one of the burgers into his mouth. He thinks about the fact that he doesn’t even need to eat anymore, and that he is only demanding food at his full size to bust Hawkeye’s chops.

Mockingbird tells Hawkeye that it looks like they have company. Runyan Castle, Esq. introduces himself and says that their doorman let him in. Hawkeye asks what brings him there. Runyan says that his secretary already left him a message, and that he knows why he is there. He says that he insists that they release his client Goliath immediately. Hawkeye says that they were granted custody of him by the LAPD since they had no where to lock him up. Runyan says that they were granted custody while his client was unconscious and unable to defend his interests. He says that wasn’t very sporting… or legal. Mockingbird says that they can’t release Goliath and that he is dangerous. She asks if he forgot what he did to Los Angeles a few months ago… or what Goliath might do if he met up with some of his friends in the Lethal Legion again. Runyan says that is irrelevant and immaterial. He says that right now his assistant is obtaining a court order demanding Goliath’s release pending a hearing. He says that he should be there in fifteen minutes.

At the airfield north of Los Angeles, Bernie the mechanic cuts some lines. He says that the shuttle will fly fine for a little while and then it is a dead bird. He finishes just as Stark and Rhodes walks up. Rhodey is telling Tony that the shuttle is ready to fly, and that he is ready to take it up. Tony sees Bernie and asks him if he forgot something. Bernie says that he forgot his favorite wrench and that he has had it for ten years. Rhodey tells him that he is glad that he found it. Tony asks Rhodey if he thinks the shuttle is a good idea and reminds him that he was shaken in the explosion. Rhodes says that it wasn’t that bad. He says that the cast has been off for a week and that the doctor told him that he is as healthy as a horse. Tony says that Rhodey can fly the shuttle and that he will fly along as Iron Man. Rhodey says that he will take a pass on that. He says that sooner or later he will have to handle things solo, and that he would rather it be sooner. Tony tells him to go ahead and forget he mentioned Iron Man. Rhodey says that he will get clearance this afternoon and let Tony know what happens. He asks where he will be. Tony says that he will be at Clytemnestra’s. As they walk away, Bernie phones in and says that the space shuttle is going to be history as soon as it gets high enough. He asks if there are any other orders.

Bernie is told that he has done well and that eleven thousand dollars will be deposited in his account in Switzerland. Tykkio announces that it was wise of  him to place one of their AIM agents in Stark’s company. He says that he has already done what needs to be done. He says that he wonders if Yorgon will agree. He goes to Yorgon’s cell and asks him if he has repented action without his permission. Yorgon says that if he has something to say to say it. Yorgon is told that Stark’s space shuttle has been sabotaged, and that he will not be able to complete his space station. He says that he will not be able to discover their orbiting satellites that shouldn’t be there. Yorgon congratulates his brother and tells him to leave before he starts to crow. 

Later at Clytemnestra’s, Tony asks Cly if she has made up her mind about joining them. Cly tells Tony that she has been offered a position with a university team tracking Halley’s comet. She says that it is fascinating work, good pay, good people, and a terrific opportunity to forget her brother’s death. Cly says that she can’t help remembering that her brother’s involvement with Tony… with Iron Man… cost him his life. She says that she can’t get that out of her mind no matter how hard she tries. Tony says that he hopes she will come aboard, but to take all the time she needs. He tells her that if she wants to talk that he will be with the Avengers. He asks if he can drive her somewhere. Cly says that it is a nice day and that she will walk.

Tony quickly dresses in his Iron Man suit and thinks that he had better hurry if he is going to make the weekly Avengers meeting.

At the airstrip, Rhodey looks at the old Iron Man armor and thinks that it might be a good thing to have with him on the shuttle trip. He decides that he is Jim Rhodes and not Iron Man. He says that he is past “suitin’ around”, but thinks that it sure was fun. Rhodey leaves the armor behind as he leaves. Rhodey takes off in the space shuttle.

Runyon Castle rings the Avengers compound doorbell. Hawkeye asks who it is. Runyan says that he knows who it is. Hawkeye asks him what he wants. Runyan says, “Goliath. Here’s the court order I promised.” Hawkeye scowls.

Hawkeye tells Mockingbird that they have no choice but to cut him loose. She says that she is as ready as she ever will be. Hawkeye tells her that the plan is that when he comes at them that they hit him with everything they have then lie on the floor and have a bleeding contest. Hawkeye opens the door. Goliath walks out, in regular size, and tells Hawkeye not to sweat it. He asks if Hawkeye really thought about putting a hurting on him and the lady. He says that there are no hard feelings. Goliath walks up to Runyan Castle and asks if he is lawyer that got him sprung. He shakes his hand and says that he is pleased to meet him. Mockingbird asks if they are dreaming this. Hawkeye says that if they are that they shouldn’t wake up. Two officers walk Goliath out to the car and put him in the back of the squad car. Runyan tells Hawkeye that he should thank him. He says that the publicity this will generate will revive his waning career. Hawkeye realizes that is why he has done this. Mockingbird asks if they have cancelled the bleeding contest. Hawkeye says that he isn’t sure. He asks the cops if they can ride along. The cop says that they can’t, and that the order says that he has to butt out. He says that their hands are tied. As they drive off, Hawkeye says, “Hey, you mean we can’t use a public vehicle? We pay our taxes… we vote in every election… I was a patrol leader in the boy scouts… I got a gold MasterCard…” Mockingbird tells Hawkeye that since he isn’t being funny that he might as well shut up. Hawkeye says that he guesses that they don’t need him anyway and that Goliath seems to be behaving. He says that Castle will get him out on bail, and then he will walk, and in a couple of years he’ll be a movie of the week and they will be the bad guys.

Outside the gates, Mockingbird spots a collapsed police car and asks if that is how they are coming these days. Goliath sprouts up and out of the police car tearing it to pieces. He asks if they really thought that he would “sit still for the lousy law?!?” He says that the joke is on them and that he just wanted out. Hawkeye says that he knew it. Mockingbird asks if he has any idea. Hawkeye pulls out his sonic arrow and says that it worked once before. Goliath hits the ground and Hawkeye drops the arrow. Mockingbird says that they don’t work unless you fire them. Hawkeye rolls and says that from his own wife he gets sarcasm. He says that the sonic arrow was only for openers. He says that this arrow would put down a herd of elephants. Hawkeye fires the arrow, but Goliath blocks it with his palm and says, “haw”. Hawkeye says that he is no herd of elephants. Hawkeye and Mockingbird start to head away from the compound and other valuable property. Hawkeye and Mockingbird climb down a small cliff toward the beach. Hawkeye says that it seems the perimeter defense systems slowed Goliath down a bit. Goliath leaps down the hill Hawkeye and Mockingbird had to climb down and asks the “fleas” if they are going somewhere. Hawkeye asks Mockingbird if she thinks it will do any help to yell for help. Mockingbird asks who could handle him if they could hear them. Hawkeye says that he did activate the Avengers S.O.S. Goliath says that he told them he wouldn’t put a hurting on them, but that he has changed his mind. Suddenly, Goliath is zapped and falls to the ground. Iron Man stands behind him. Iron Man tells Goliath that was his new improved super deluxe repulsors. He says that it would be a nice gesture if he gave up. Goliath says that there isn’t a chance. He says that he caught him off guard and off balance, but that it isn’t going to happen again. Goliath tears a part of the cliff apart to smash Iron Man with. Hawkeye and Mockingbird run for cover. Goliath throws the chunk, but Iron Man smashes it. He asks if he really thought that would stop him. Iron Man flies into Goliath’s face and hits him. Goliath swats Iron Man and asks if he thought that would stop him. Goliath says that if Iron Man has any more shots to take them. Iron Man says that Goliath asked for it.

160 miles up, Rhodes is piloting the space shuttle. Suddenly the controls stop responding and smoke shoots out of the stabilizer section. Rhodes asks if ground control can still read him. They say that they can. Rhodes tells them that he is shutting down all systems and putting on his life support gear. He says that in a few minutes gravity is going to pull the shuttle into the atmosphere and burn it to a cinder. Rhodes tries to contact Iron Man.

Iron Man is keeping Goliath off balance when he starts to receive Rhodey’s distress call. Rhodey is saying that he is entering the atmosphere and that the ship is already heating up. Tony realizes that he must have just come into range. He says that he has to help him, but that if he does that the Avengers are dead. Iron Man flies away from Goliath. Goliath asks if he is scared. He says that he wants Iron Man’s friends to do some squashing with. Goliath starts to come back after the Avengers, but then Iron Man flies over Goliath’s head holding Goliath’s former cell over his head. Goliath starts walking after them and says that he is still going to get them.

Moments later, Iron Man is flying away from Hawkeye and Mockingbird still in the cage. Mockingbird asks why they don’t just go up in a quinjet if they want to stay away from Goliath. Hawkeye says that they want to keep him occupied so that he doesn’t go on another rampage. He asks how he can resist two sitting ducks. Iron Man says that they should be fine. He says that if Goliath couldn’t get out of the cell that he shouldn’t be able to get into it either.

Rhodey is trying to tell Tony that he will be a cinder in ten seconds. Tony arrives and tells him that ten seconds will be plenty of time. Rhodes says that he likes it close, but that he isn’t complaining. Iron Man tells him to relax and that he will be on the ground in a few minutes.

On the ground, Rhodey asks Stark what his hurry is and asks if he doesn’t want to stick around and find out what went wrong. Tony says that he can’t. He says that he has to get to Avengers compound and that he will explain later.

Iron Man finds Hawkeye and Mockingbird’s cell gone. He looks at Goliath smiling and follows his line of sight. Iron Man spots the cell sinking into the ocean. Hawkeye apologizes to Mockingbird as their heads are about to go under. He says that he will pick the lock. Mockingbird says, “I’ll bet.” Iron Man lifts them out of the ocean. Hawkeye says that he almost had the lock cracked. Mockingbird says that the only thing cracked is his brain. Hawkeye tells Iron Man to help him convince Mockingbird that this wasn’t a lame idea. Stark says that it was all they could come up with under the circumstances. He says that he has to deal with Goliath.

Eleven seconds later, Iron Man flies into Goliath’s stomach. Goliath says that he even felt that one. He smashes Iron Man into the ground with two fists. He tells Iron Man to give his regards to China. He looks and sees a hole in the ground and muses that maybe he really did send him to China. Sand flies out of the hole blinding Goliath. Iron Man flies into Goliath’s face with a punch. Goliath says to start the next round. Iron Man thinks to himself that there is something he has been reluctant to try because he is afraid that it might work too well. Iron Man dives into Goliath and knocks him to the ground. He lands hard on Goliath’s larynx and forces him to open his mouth. Iron Man fires maximum power pulse bolts down Goliath’s gullet. Goliath reels and falls to the ground. Iron Man sees that he is still breathing.

Iron Man lets Hawkeye and Mockingbird out. Hawkeye says that they still have a problem. He says that when Goliath wakes up that he will be annoyed. He asks what they do then. Iron Man says that they put him back in the adamantium cell and donate it to the police. He says that they have proper jurisdiction so there should be a legal hassle. Mockingbird says that first they have to convince him to shrink back down.

In a submarine beneath the Pacific, Yorgon Tykkio stares at the bars pinning him in. He thinks of his brother and of Iron Man and begins to brood… and plan.

Iron Resolve rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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