Iron Man vol. 3 #64Iron Man vol. 3 #64
Title: “Standoff Part 2”
Writer: Mike Grell
Penciller: Alan Davis
Inker: Robin Riggs
Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
THIS STORY BEGINS IN THOR VOL. 2 #58
Iron Man tells Thor that he can’t do
this. Thor asks if he is supposed to ignore the cries of those
oppressed in his name. Iron Man says that this has nothing to do
with Thor or any religious group. He says htat it is about
generations of hatred. Iron Man says that Thor is giving the
Slovokians an excuse to slaughter each other. Thor tells Iron Man
to stand aside and that their friendship doesn’t give him
the right to meddle in the affairs of gods. Iron Man tells Thor
that he isn’t his god. He says that he is his friend and
that he doesn’t want to fight him, but that he will. The
people see Thor and start to say that he has come to save them.
Thor tells the people to stay back since it isn’t safe for
them. He tells Balder to get them to safety. Thor turns to Iron
Man and asks if this is his line in the sand. 
Thor smashes
his hammer against the ground and sends an large chasm in the
ground. Thor stands on one side and Iron Man on the other. Thor
says that this is his line and that Iron Man crosses it at his
peril. One of the Slovokians is about to fire on Thor, but Iron
Man crushes the weapon in his hand and says that with the way
Thor is that no one is equipped to handle Thor yet. Iron Man
flies off. Doom is back in Iron Man’s helmet. He tells Stark
that was well done and suggests they meet.
A man is watching the news regarding the spreading Thor religon.
Iron Man meets Doom in Latveria. Doom says that he often wondered if Stark finds it easier with or without the mask. Doom says that he likes to think that Stark regrets revealing his face to the world. Stark says that Doom should try it sometime. Doom says that perhaps he will even though it would mean being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission, the US Congress, and the IRS. Iron Man says that this isn’t what Doom invited him there for and asks what is on his mind. Doom says that Thor is on his mind. Doom says that Slovokian cultists are infecting Latverians with notions of peace and harmony. Iron Man asks if Doom is worried about a few religious fanatics or about World War III breaking out in his backyard. Doom says that there are those, like the United States, who might view this as a chance to impose foolish ideas like democracy. He says that there are others that would be willing to push the world into a war for their own ideals. Doom says that if that were to happen that he would be forced to take the matter into his hands and that he would not be constrained by collateral damage.
A reporter is interviewing a woman. The woman says that she doesn’t think that it is any different than when they painted flowers on their faces and went barefeet.
Doom says that Thor has fired the first shot and that unless Iron Man wishes to see a slaughter that he may have to live up to his challenge and fight Thor. Iron Man says that since Thor has taken the throne of Asgard that he is more powerful than ever. Doom says that Thor may have given them the means of defeating him. Doom says that if a suit of armor were powered by the element that Thor himself energized. Doom says that he once defeated the Silver Surfer by drawing off his energy to use against him. Doom says that it almost killed him, but to imagine feeling the power of a god. Iron Man starts to fly off. He says that there is no reactor like that and that if Doom wants to see he and Thor fight that he will have to spring for the pay per view like everyone else.
The man that was watching the news puts on his jacket. The news says that there are anti-Thor groups that have risen. A man asks if anyone noticed that the Thorites’ symbol is half of the commie flag.
Balder sees that Thor is troubled and mentions it. Thor says that he is. He says that his followers have come out because they are drawn to his presence. He says that he cannot leave them to the mercy of the Junta which rules the land. He says that General Stoykovicz’s forces are waiting to kill their own people. Thor say that he thought they would run away when they saw his power, but that it seems that only death will end their hatred.
The news says that American and NATO forces are continuing to amass in the Slovokian region. The US State Department has recalled all personnel and all Americans have been urged to leave at once. They say that the Russians are viewing this as a threat to their national security.
Thor says that he cannot turn from his children even if it means fighting a man that was once his friend and the entire world as well. Thor says that he was destined for this, but that he wishes it weren’t so. Balder starts to say, “My lord? Surely there can be no doubt…” Thor puts his hand on Balder’s shoulder and says that only a fool has no doubts or a loyal friend.
A Thorite is on the news saying that they follow the path of harmony between man and nature. She says that they believe in the unity of all people and the world. Another woman says that the last time she checked that there was only one God.
The man who was watching the news leaves his home. His jacket says “Stark” across the back. He looks back at the picture of his daughter. The daughter is the same girl that was the Thorite on the news.
The news show a film smuggled out of Slovokia. It shows Thorites being rounded up which os a violation of human rights. Amnesty International charges that Slovokia is using the Thorites to slaughter an entire class of people that descended from the Vikings.
At Stark Enterprises, Stark says that Thor is forcing his hand. He says that it is only a matter of time before someone starts shooting and things get out of control. Pepper asks why it has to be him and asks why someone else can’t do it. The man that was watching the news empties a trash can. Stark asks who else could do it. Stark opens a vault holding Thor’s energy source. Iron Man asks Pepper if she can imagine what the military would do with a reactor that taps into the same energies as Thor’s hammer. The janitor takes pictures of plans from Stark’s lab. Stark says that they don’t even know what the element Thor gave them is or where it came from. Pepper asks if he is really going to wrap himself in an unprotected reactor that could melt down at any moment. Stark says that he doesn’t have a choice and that the standoff won’t last forever. Inside the vault, Stark has a beefed up version of his armor. He says that Thor gave him the energy source in hopes to help mankind, but that now he may have to use it against his friend.
The janitor sits on a bench reading a paper. The headline reads “UN RESOLUTION DEMANDS SLOVOKIA DICTATOR’S ARREST”. He puts the paper in the trash. It is picked up by an anti-Thorite and given to a businesswoman. The woman takes out a tiny disk and enters it into a computer. Doom looks at the designs from Stark’s lab. Doom says, “Fools. Their hate is only surpassed by their ignorance. Still, I suppose I should be grateful… with this final piece of the reactor design, I hold the power to destroy Thor… if Iron Man doesn’t do the job for me.”
Thor calls down
the lightning. He says that they have ignored his warnings and
that now they will feel his wrath. Iron Man flies at Thor in his
bulk suit. He says that he can’t let him continue this. He
says to look around and see that he is about to start a war that
could engulf the world. Iron Man asks if Thor wants Armageddon.
Thor tells Iron Man to step away and that the oppressors will
know the anguish of his people. He says that the armies will know
his fury. Iron Man hits Thor hard enough to send him spiraling
backward. Thor wipes his mouth and rises. Thor says that if Thor
is going to align himself against him that he will also know the
power of Thor. Thor hurls his hammer. Iron Man says that he
already knows the power of Thor. He raises his hand and stops
Thor’s hammer. He says that the suit is powered by the same
enchantment that gives Thor’s hammer its strength. Iron Man
says that the power he uses against him is rechanneled through
his armor. Iron Man tosses the hamer aside. Thor says that Iron
Man took a gift from the gods and turned it into a weapon against
him. Iron Man says that he is asking Thor as an Avenger and
friend to let it go before it is too later. Thor hauls off and
decks Iron Man sending him grinding into the ground. Thor says,
“Never!” Iron Man blasts Thor and Thor summons his
hammer. Thor blasts with his hammer, but the blast is met by Iron
Man’s blast. Iron Man walks towards Thor as the
hammer’s blast pours out on him. Iron Man hits Thor and says
that Thor is just giving them an excuse for war which is what
they want. Thor says that men have never needed an excuse and
that murder is a part of the mortal world. 
Thor blasts
Iron Man to the ground. Thor continues, “Men are ever
devising new ways to subjugate and slaughter their brothers in
the name of some cause or… “ Iron Man says, “Some
god? Is that what you were going to say?” Thor says that
Iron Man stings him with words as sharp as steel. Thor says that
he is done fighting with him and that Iron Man is nothing without
his wrath. Iron Man says that he still has the power of Iron Man
and that he figures he owes Thor his best shot. Iron Man and Thor
collide in a blast of power.
The military watches the fight from a war room. They say that they just monitored a “Go-Code” from Slovokian headquarters. He says that Iron Man failed and that he let it get personal. One of them says, “You are cleared for Operation; Righteous Anger… and may God have mercy on us all.”
The tanks start to roll. Captain America
stands in their path and tells them to stop. The tanks come to a
halt. They tell Captain America to get out of the way and that
they have their orders. Captain America says that it isn’t
their fight anymore and that it has gone too far. He says that
there is no stopping them now. Iron Man and Thor charge at each
other screaming.
Iron Man’s
fist hits Thor’s hammer and the explosion of power is so
strong that it sends Captain America soaring.
Iron Resolve rating: 9 out of 10
This story just feels epic. Iron Man versus Thor with Captain America standing in the wings. The interaction between Stark and Doom even feels epic. Davis’ style certainly lends itself towards the eopic feel as well. The battle scenes between Thor and Iron Man are just intense.
THIS STORY CONTINUES IN AVENGERS VOL. 3 #63