Iron Man #82
Plunder of the Apes
Following his final battle with the Black Lama, Iron Man returns to the Stark International facility on Long Island where he catches a gang of mercenaries trying to steal the plans for the cosmitronic cannon. After wrapping the thieves up for security, Tony returns to his office to finally change out of his armor. There he funds Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan, who have been running the company in Tony’s absence. After greeting the married couple, Tony decides to go around the facility to see how things are going.
He is greeted by his old teacher, Abe Klein who has come looking for a job after he was let go from his teaching job. Tony is more than happy to give work to the man who taught him everything he knows about electrical engineering. Going back to his office, Tony is reminded that he is to attend an Iron Man Foundation charity party at his penthouse. As both Tony and Iron Man are to be in attendance, Stark has Happy masquerade as his alter-ego in order to maintain his secret identity.[1]
Tony has invited Roxanne Gilbert to the party, and he uses it as an opportunity to tell her of her brother’s recent activities as Firebrand. Roxanne then insults Tony when she brings up how his lifestyle counters her activist ideals. Tony points out that although he once sold munitions he has always ran charities and had the intention of helping others.[2] He then goes to check on Happy, who assures Tony that he’s doing just fine posing as Iron Man.[3] Things get ugly when Tony Stark is punched in the face by Michael O’Brien. Michael accuses Stark of being responsible for the death of his brother, Kevin, not believing the fact that his death was an accident.[4] Tony dismisses these accusations and invited Michael to stay and enjoy the party.
That’s when the Red Ghost’s Super-Apes come crashing in through the window and nab Tony. When they take him up to the roof, Happy tries to stop them. Unfortunately, his inexperience with Iron Man’s armor makes him no match for the Super-Ape’s super-powers and he gets thrown off the roof. Stark is then knocked out and the Super-Apes escape. Tony is then taken to the Red Ghost’s hideout where he is shocked to discover the villain is a literal ghost. Ivan Kragoff explains that he intends to force Tony to cure him of his condition so the Red Ghost can live again.[5]
Recurring Characters
Iron Man, Red Ghost, Super-Apes (Miklho, Peotor, Igor), Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, Roxanne Gilbert, Michael O’Brien, Abe Klein,
Continuity Notes
Happy and Pepper both know Tony’s secret identity having learned it in Tales of Suspense #70 and Iron Man #65 respectively.
Stark International sold munitions until Tony decided to change the direction of the company in Iron Man #48.
Happy mentions how he wore Iron Man’s armor in the past. This was in Tales of Suspense #84-86.
Kevin O’Brien lost his mind as a side effect of his Guardsman armor. He died battling Iron Man in issue #46.
The Red Ghost found himself trapped in an immaterial form following the events of Defenders #8.