Iron Man annual #7

Title: “When Giants Walk the Earth!”

Writer: Bob Harras

Penciller: Luke McDonnell

Inkers: Akin & Garvey

Colors: Bob Sharen

Editor: Mark Gruenwald

Chapter I

Hawkeye says that on second thought maybe they should move the new global radar module next to the communications console. Wonder Man and Iron Man each hold up one end of the machine. Tigra says, “Second thought?” and then points out that is the fifth time he has changed his mind in the last ten minutes. Mockingbird says that it is Hawkeye’s decisiveness that she loves. Tigra whispers to Mockingbird that she should help her husband make up his mind and that Wonder Man and Iron Man look like they want to punch his lights out. Mockingbird says that it is fine where it’s at. Hawkeye starts to explain the importance of it positioning. Iron Man and Wonder Man drop the machine on the ground and Iron Man tells Hawkeye that as an interior decorator he leaves a lot to be desired. Tigra thanks goodness that is over. She asks if anyone wants to take a dip in the pool. Wonder Man says to just let him catch his breath. Iron Man excuses himself and says that he has some business to attend to.

Hawkeye and Mockingbird walk out with Iron Man. Hawkeye thanks him for his help, and that he really thinks this team is going to make it. He says that they won’t be second to anyone. He says that especially with Iron Man being an Avenger since the beginning. Iron Man says, “Yeah… right” and flies off. Mockingbird says that for a man that Hawkeye has known for years that he seems awfully distant. Hawkeye wonders what is wrong.

Jim Rhodes flies along as Iron Man. He thinks to himself that he hopes he wasn’t too rude back there, but that it was weird hanging out with people that think they know you but don’t. He thinks how Tony Stark is the Iron Man they know, but that he had to give up the armor after his drinking problem became too much for him. Jim thinks about how that seems like a long time ago, and that for a temporary replacement he feels like maybe he likes being Iron Man.

At the new headquarters of Circuits Maximus, Tony Stark watches the six o’clock news. The news announces that Iron Man is a member of the new West Coast Avengers. Tony wonders how he feels about that and turns off the set. Morley enters the room and tells Tony that he just spotted Rhodey coming in. Tony thanks him. Tony asks Rhodey where he has been for the last week. Jim says that he has been keeping himself busy. Tony says that in case Jim has forgotten that they are trying to start a new business and life. He says that requires 100% from everyone… including Rhodey. Jim flies into the air and tells Tony to back off. He says that in case Tony forgot: he doesn’t work for him anymore. He says that he is his own boss, and that he doesn’t need him hassling him.

Rhodey flies along thinking about how he and Tony can’t seem to be around one another for five minutes without chewing one another’s heads off. He thinks that it probably has to do with him feeling guilty and thinking that Tony wants to start being Iron Man again now that he is on the wagon. Jim thinks that he can’t blame him and that he is the one that built the suit. He wonders if he can give up being Iron Man when the suit’s radio transceiver picks up something important. Iron Man arrives at an oil rig, on the ocean, on fire and collapsing. The coast guard helicopter can’t land because the platform is tilting too far over. He looks at all the men on the rig and realizes that there isn’t enough time for him to save them all. He patches into the coast guard’s radio frequency. He tells them that he is going to go straighten out the leg of the rig so that they can land their helicopters. He wonders to himself if he can do it and thinks that only Tony really knows the suit’s limitations. He thinks, “Yeah… only Tony.” He grabs the unbent portion of the leg and holds it in. The helicopters say that they can land now. Iron Man tells them to hurry and that he doesn’t know how long he can hold this up. Everyone runs to the helicopters and those that need help are given it. Jim is thinking to himself that he didn’t think he could keep his strength up this long. He remembers that he has to and that people’s lives are on the line. Iron Man gets the call that everyone is safe. He drops the leg and flies from it as fast as he can. The people all cheer him and call him hero. He flies along feeling good about himself.

Chapter II: Enter Goliath

As Iron Man flies over the Los Angeles sky, an ordinary man walks along in an overcoat and hat. He walks past a porno theater and into the street not really looking where he is going. A car honks at the man, but can’t stop in time and winds up hitting him and then crashing into a pole. The driver runs over to the man and unbelievably finds him getting up. The man apologizes and asks if he needs a doctor. He asks if he wants him to call the police. The man freaks. He grabs the driver and lifts him into the air. He says that he doesn’t want any police butting into his business. He tells the driver to do himself a favor and forget about this accident. He says that it would be a lot healthier for him. He sets the man down in a garbage can and tells the driver that he just wants to be left alone.

The man walks along thinking that was careless. He thinks that he doesn’t want to draw any attention to himself. He thinks about how his leg hurts and that a few years ago it wouldn’t have bothered him if a Mack truck rammed into him. He thinks to himself that this has just got to work. He thinks about the poor neighborhood and all the abandoned warehouses. He wonders what he expected and says that he knows he is grasping at straws. He finds the address he was looking for and opens the door. He thinks that it looks abandoned. He calls out for anyone but gets no answer. He feels like an idiot , but thinks that he just wanted this so bad. Suddenly a red light fills the warehouse. There is an announcement that the bio-scanners are engaged. The darkness returns as the man is confirmed as Erik Josten, also known as the Smuggler. The warehouse’s lights go on and Erik sees a ton of machinery around. Erik is greeted by Dr. Karl Malus. Malus tells Erik that it is a pleasure to meet him after their months of correspondence. Malus apologizes for that, but says that he has to be sure it was him. Erik asks what would have happened had it not been him. Malus says that would have been rather unpleasant. He says that lasers would have disintegrated him instantly. Malus asks Erik if he wants some tea. Erik says that he didn’t come there for tea. He says that he came there because Malus said that he could help him with his powers. He says that he needs him to restore his powers to what they were… to make him what he once was. Malus says that he sees Josten is the type that prefers to forego the basic social amenities. He says that is a shame. Malus holds up the “Power Man” folder and tells Josten to tell him what he was. Erik says that he was somebody. Josten tells Malus his story.

He tells Malus that he was a mercenary and that he was so good that he was hired by Baron Heinrich Zemo. He says that Zemo had him smuggle machinery to his base of operations in South America. He says that he was around when the Avengers finally defeated Zemo. He says that he hid in the jungle for a few weeks and returned when it looked like the coast was clear. He broke into the lab and saw all the machinery Zemo built with the materials he acquired for him. Then suddenly the Enchantress appeared to him. He says that she claimed to be a god… one of Thor’s race. Erik says that he didn’t believe her at first, but that he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He says that she offered him power by subjecting him to the same machine that turned Simon Williams into Wonder Man. He says that he took one look into her eyes and couldn’t refuse. He says that when she was finished that he was in Wonder Man’s class and as strong as Thor. He says that she named him Power Man. He says that in his first time out that he did good, but not good enough. He says that Enchantress left him and laughed at the mortal for daring to love her. He says that she used him and then dumped him without a backward glance. He says that he was still a force to be reckoned with. He says that the Red Skull hired him and the Swordsman to battle Captain America. He says that he fought the Avengers again for the Mandarin, and that he also became a member of the Grim Reaper’s Lethal Legion. He says that he was someone that could go head to head with Iron Man and Thor. Malus asks what happened. Erik says that he guesses that it started to go bad when Luke Cage started calling himself Power Man. He says that they fought for the name, and that he lost. Erik says that he drifted after that until he met Count Luchino Nefaria. He says that Nefaria promised to make him his partner, but that he took everything from him. He says that Nefaria boosted his power a thousand fold, but that the boost was only temporary. He says that Nefaria siphoned almost all of his strength off into his own body. He says that he trusted Nefaria and that Nefaria betrayed him. He says that with most of his strength gone that he went back to smuggling. He says that Spider-Man beat him. Erik tells Malus that it was in prison that he heard about him and how he re-energized the Fly. He says that he set this up as soon as he made parole.

Josten says that he is sick of being a has been. He says that he used to walk with goddesses and warlords. He says that he used to be feared. He says that he wants that again and asks Malus if he can help him. Malus says that it is an intriguing challenge and that he thinks he will take it. Malus says that his services are unique and expensive. He says that he will rejuvenate his powers and that in exchange Josten will work for him for six months. Josten says for them to get started.

For days Josten is put through tests to unlock the process that originally turned him into Power Man. Malus says that Zemo was a genius. He says that Zemo found a way to change the very stuff of life itself. He says that he can restore what Zemo did, and even give him a bigger dose so that he will be more powerful than ever before. He adds that he has an added treat, and that Josten is the perfect candidate for a little secret he has kept for himself. Malus says that he has Henry Pym’s growth serum in his possession. He says that not long ago a man calling himself Daddy Longlegs came to him for help. He says that the man was a midget and in an attempt to increase his height ingested some untested samples of Pym’s serum. Malus says that it was simple for him to return the man to normal height and that a benefit of his cure was that he was able to isolate the serum in the man’s blood. Malus says that he can give him back his power and the size changing power of his old enemy Giant-Man. Josten asks what he is waiting for. Malus injects Josten with Pym’s serum and tells him to lie on the platform to recreate Zemo’s process. Josten says that he feels strange going through all this again. Malus says that this time Josten has his genius to guide him. Malus pushes the button and Josten says that it feels just like it used to.

Later, Josten dons the new suit Malus designed for him. Josten asks what has happened to his eyes and that he feels different. Malus says that Zemo’s process borders on creating new life… more than human. He says that they will see if Pym’s serum works and tells Josten to concentrate on thinking big. Josten strains. He says that he is, but that nothing is happening. Malus says that he cannot have failed. He says that he won’t let Josten make him fail. Josten says that something is happening. Josten grows. Malus says that he has created a goliath. Josten says that he thinks he will call himself Goliath. He says that a hero stole his name, and that it is only fair that he return the favor. Malus says that Goliath might be the most powerful man on Earth. He says that he will be tested when they begin their first project. Josten crosses his arms and says, “Our project? Why, doctor, whatever do you mean?” Malus says that they had an agreement. Goliath scoops up Malus and says that he is a fool. He says that he never agreed to anything. He asks Malus if he wasn’t listening to him when he told him about how he has been used all his life. He says that Power Man was always someone’s flunky, but that he isn’t Power Man anymore… he is Goliath. He says that where Goliath walks… he walks alone. Goliath grows and grows smashing out of Malus’ warehouse. Malus is left behind and says that this can’t be happening. He says that he had such plans.

Goliath walks down the street reveling in the fear on the faces of the people in the buildings he walks by. He thinks to himself that they should fear him because he has the power of life and death. Goliath tears off the top of a building. A man on the ground runs from the rubble and Goliath tells him to run and be grateful that he doesn’t squash him like the bug he is. Several police cars arrive and Goliath says that were expected. The police shoot at Goliath, but are ordered to back away when the bullets don’t affect him. One announces that help is on the way. Goliath asks what help could possibly stop him. He tells them all to run as he picks up a fuel tanker. He says that Goliath is power and smashes the tanker against the ground causing it to explode. Iron Man arrives and tells Goliath that his fun is over. Goliath says that he is surprised to see him there and that he didn’t know he had moved to Los Angeles, but that he is delighted that he did. He asks what better way to start off a new career than by killing an Avenger. Goliath throws a bus at Iron Man. Iron Man punches the bus and tears it in two. He asks Goliath if he was really trying to stop him with a bus. Goliath says that Iron Man is always the braggart. Rhodey thinks to himself that this guy must be an old enemy of Tony’s, but that he doesn’t recognize him. He lets off a repulsor ray into Goliath’s face. Goliath asks if that is the best he has and says that it was pitiful. Iron Man flies into the air and Goliath tells him to run and tell the others of Goliath. Iron Man dive bombs at Goliath. Goliath says that was very impressive, but asks if it wasn’t a little slow. Goliath swats Iron Man out of the sky. Iron Man hits the ground and smashes into a car. Even Goliath is stunned by his speed and wonders to himself what Malus did to him. He wonders if he really is more than human, but decides that all that matters is that he has the power he wanted. Goliath tells Iron Man that he thought that impact would kill him, but that a few tons of debris should finish him off. Goliath tosses a huge chunk of rubble at Iron Man. Iron Man smashes it and says that Goliath is good, but that he is better. He asks Goliath if he has anymore tricks. Goliath says that he thinks he will like this one. Goliath raises his hands over his feet foot high head and smashes them against the ground. The impact is so hard that the ground trembles and knocks a building over on Iron Man. Goliath is reveling in his victory after listening for Iron Man and hearing nothing. He says that he is going after all the Avengers… including Thor. Iron Man bursts out of the rubble. He blasts Goliath and says that he just made him mad. He says that no one can stand up to repeated rapid fire repulsors. Goliath says, “Oh really?” He snatches Iron Man out of the sky. Iron Man asks him how he can move so fast. Goliath says that it beats him, but that Iron Man can’t escape. Iron Man puts full throttle on his jets, but that he can’t break free of Goliath’s grip. Goliath tells him to give it up and that the screams of his jets are keeping him awake. Goliath says that after all these years that he finally got him. He says that Iron Man and all the others laughed at Power Man, but that they can’t laugh at Goliath. He says that Iron Man’s might was nothing compared to his. Goliath says that he deserves this victory and that he has gone through too much to ever lose again, but that he would go through it all again to do this. Goliath throws Iron Man and tells him that it has been a pleasure. Goliath sees the reporters and says that he hopes how they saw him defeat a great Avenger. He says that his name is Goliath, and that it is a name they are going to have to get used to. He says that he thinks he has done enough for the day. Goliath shrinks down and disappears into the darkening night.

Iron Man finally lands in the Mojave Desert. For a long time he doesn’t move. Finally Rhodey gets up. He flies back in order to try and stop Goliath before he does anymore damage. Iron Man gets back to find the ambulances and fire trucks. One EMT is helping an injured man. The EMT spots Iron Man. The injured man asks why he bothered to come back. He tells Iron Man that he was a fat lot of help, and that he is supposed to stop creeps like that. Rhodey stammers for a minute, but the man tells him not to bother with excuses. He says that he failed and that they have to pay the price.

Chapter III- Three Stood Together!

The following morning in the records library at Avengers compound, Iron Man has Erik Josten’s file up as Hawkeye and Wonder Man enter. Rhodey thinks to himself that he couldn’t go home last night and that he couldn’t bear seeing Tony’s face after he made a chump of himself. Hawkeye says that he sees Iron Man is doing his homework. Iron Man says that is all he is good for. Wonder Man tells Iron Man not to let the media get to him, and that they can’t wait for one of them to have a bad day. Hawkeye says that if Goliath really is Power Man that he will probably trip over his own feet. Iron Man asks if he is crazy. He asks Hawkeye if he saw how easily Goliath defeated him. He says that he has changed into something dangerous and that he is determined to prove himself. Hawkeye says that he was just trying to cheer him up. Hawkeye says that it was a lucky break, and that the Avengers will take down Goliath. Iron Man says that this is personal and that he wants to tackle him alone. Hawkeye says that they are a team, and that they are supposed to team up to fight guys that are too big for them to take alone. Hawkeye says that Iron Man should know that, and that he has stopped him from running off half-cocked more times than he can count. Wonder Man says to let them help. He says that they all have a grudge against Goliath. He says that Goliath was created in imitation of him, and that he is using Hawkeye’s old name. Iron Man agrees to let them help. He says that they are a team, and that he has to get used to that… again. Hawkeye says that he was afraid Iron Man was going to walk out the way he always used to when he didn’t get his way. Hawkeye says that first they have to find him. Wonder Man says that he thinks he has an idea. He asks if they remember when the Avengers were investigating his mysterious return from the dead. He says that Tony Stark, Pym, and Hank McCoy developed devices that were attuned to his particular energy readings. He says that if Goliath went through the same process that he may have similar energy readings. He says to call the Vision in New York and have him ship it to them.

Vision tells Hawkeye that he will send it over on one of their shuttle robots. He says that it should be there in about two hours. Rhodes wonders to himself if he should really be on a team of professional super-heroes. Vision tells Hawkeye that if Goliath is too formidable for them to give them a call. Hawkeye says that they will handle it and thinks to himself that Vision is a wise guy.

Hours later, Wonder Man and Iron Man fly alongside Hawkeye on his sky sled. Hawkeye says that he doesn’t mean to be a killjoy, but that the tracker on his sky sled hasn’t so much as beeped. He says that maybe Goliath skipped town. Iron Man says that he wouldn’t have to and that Goliath beat him. Hawkeye says that Iron Man sure has been a load of laughs. He starts to say that he almost thinks that he is different guy, but is interrupted when the tracker goes off. They swoop down toward the motel and head toward bungalow three. Wonder Man says that they have no legal right to burst in and says that he will check out the room. Iron Man tells Hawkeye that he knows he is chairman, but that he thinks this direct approach is a bad idea. Hawkeye tells him to relax and that Wonder Man is one of their most powerful guys. Wonder Man knocks on the door. The door opens and Wonder Man is sent flying backward. Goliath bursts out of the top of his bungalow. He welcomes the Avengers and tells them that they were expected. Hawkeye hits Goliath with an explosive arrow. Goliath asks if Iron Man didn’t tell him that even his repulsor rays couldn’t stop him. Hawkeye says that you can’t blame a guy for trying. Goliath says that Hawkeye always was a loud-mouthed buffoon. He rips the ground up that Hawkeye was standing on and Hawkeye is sent falling back to Earth. Wonder Man flies angrily at Goliath, but Goliath swats him out of the sky. He says that Wonder Man is a fool, and that he is far stronger than him now. Wonder Man hits the ground hard and goes unconscious. Goliath says that Hawkeye and Wonder Man are second stringers like he used to be. He says that he almost feels sorry for him. He says that he got his chance, but that they never will. Goliath lifts a moving van over his head. He throws it at Hawkeye and Wonder Man, but Iron Man grabs them and flies them away before it hits. Goliath says that he defeated two Avengers in no time at all, and that Iron Man ran away. He says that he beat the Avengers. He says that now he will show this city a true demonstration of his power that they won’t forget.

Hawkeye says that they were beaten in five minutes. Iron Man says that is because they made the same mistake he did and tried to take him on with raw power. Iron Man says that Hawk was right when he said they had to work as a team. He says that Goliath may have the power, but that they have the skill.

Goliath starts tearing apart the Hollywood sign. He says that nobody will be able to ignore this, and that he will really be able to wipe their faces in it. He asks if Enchantress and Nefaria are watching. He asks if they are laughing now. He says that he is stronger than both of  them and that he is unstoppable. Suddenly Goliath grabs his ears when a high screaming noise occurs. He looks right at a bright flash of light. While Goliath is blinded, Iron Man and Wonder Man fly directly into Goliath’s stomach. Hawkeye fires another arrow as Wonder Man and Iron Man keep swooping and punching. Goliath quietly says, “no’. Iron Man starts with the sonics again. Even Wonder Man with earplugs and the hearing-impared Hawkeye hear it. Goliath shouts to stop that blasted noise. Iron Man says that he can’t do that. Goliath says that he will make him stop. He throws a giant rock at the Avengers, but his aim is way off. Iron Man turns the sonics to maximum intensity. Rhodes hopes that Wonder Man and Hawkeye will be able to handle this. Goliath drops to one knee with his hands over his ears. He says that this can’t be happening. He says that this is Iron Man’s doing. He says that he couldn’t just let him win and forget his defeats just this once. He says that he doesn’t understand someone like him. He says that Iron Man has never known doubt… never known what it was like to live in the shadows of others. Hawkeye says that he thinks someone is about to go off the deep end. Goliath shouts, “I’ll kill you all! You… Nefaria… the Enchantress… you’ll all pay!” Goliath grows and Hawkeye says that he must be 200 feet tall. Goliath grabs his head and asks what is happening to him. Goliath topples over and goes unconscious. He shrinks as he falls, but is still about fifty feet tall on the ground. Iron Man says that Goliath must have pushed himself beyond his range. Iron Man tells Hawkeye and Wonder Man to go find a place to keep him and that he will keep an eye on Goliath. Iron Man stands on Goliath and says that Goliath thought he couldn’t understand him, but that he does. He says that he isn’t afraid of being a has been. He says that he is afraid of being a never was.

Later that night, the reporters are talking about the Avengers taking Goliath to the compound. On a hilltop, not far away, Dr. Malus watches. He says, “Ah, my poor Goliath… such a waste!” He says that Goliath had the potential for greatness, but that he was too eager and went too fast. He says that Goliath is now less than he was. He says that maybe someday he will awaken from his slumber and wonders what Zemo’s process will have done to him. Malus says that he doesn’t care. He says that Goliath was yesterday’s dream, and that he has plans for tomorrow. Malus tosses aside a file on Power Man.

Iron Resolve rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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