Night of the Walking Bomb!

After Happy Hogan has collapsed from his injuries, Iron Man races to the hospital with the Enervator in the hopes of using it to save his life.[1] After helping doctors hook up the device, Tony Stark changes out of his armor to check on Pepper Potts. Pepper is deeply upset that Happy got hurt while masquerading as Iron Man and blames Tony for what happened. Happy, who is barely conscious assures his wife that he will pull through and they’ll grow old together.[2]

As the operation begins, Happy is placed under the Enervator so that it can sustain his strength while he undergoes surgery. Tony watches closely, hoping that Happy isn’t turned into the Freak like the last few times he was placed under the device.[3] The surgeon does everything he can and with the operation now over, the only thing to do now is wait. Unfortunately, Tony’s worst fears come true as Happy once again transforms into the Freak and goes on a rampage through the hospital. This deeply upsets Pepper, who feared this would happen. Tony assures her that he will restore her husband to normal and goes to change into Iron Man.

Meanwhile, Michael O’Brien continues his investigation into the death of his brother Kevin.[4] Michael is convinced that Tony Stark murdered his brother and used his wealth to cover it up. His superior officer at the police station assures O’Brien that they did a thorough investigation and determined that Kevin’s death was accidental. Michael refuses to believe this and once again vows to prove that Tony Stark is guilty of murder.

Back at the hospital, Iron Man joins the search for the Freak. The path of destruction leads them to the basement where Iron Man is horrified to discover that the Freak has locked himself in a room full the medical cobalt used in operations. The Freak has absorbed the radiation from these materials turning him into a glowing powder keg that could reach critical mass at any moment. As Iron Man tries to restrain the monster he discovers that not only is the Freak more powerful than ever, but it can now fire beams of cobalt radiation from its hands. When the battle damages the hospital’s sewage pumps, it puts the rest of the patients in the building at risk. With no other choice, the lead doctor orders the sewage tunnel to be purges, washing both Iron Man and the Freak out into the East River.[5]

The battle between Iron Man and the Freak rages on, taking them aboard a nearby boat, and the Brooklyn Bridge. The strain of battle starts taking its toll on the golden Avenger and he eventually gets caught in the Freak’s grip. The combined pressure and cobalt energy causes Iron Man’s circuits to fuse rendering him inert. With his foe defeated, the Freak then leaps down to the train tracks below and hitches a ride on a passing subway train.

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, the Freak, Pepper Potts, Michael O’Brien

Continuity Notes

1. Happy suffered serious injury posing as Iron Man in issue #82 and collapsed last issue.

2. Hate to break it to you Hap, that doesn’t happen as you’ll end up dying in Iron Man (vol. 4) #14.

3. Happy became the Freak in Tales of Suspense #74-76 and Iron Man #3-4. He almost was transformed into the Freak by the Collector in Iron Man #26 as well.

4. Kevin O’Brien was driven mad by the Guardsman armor and died in battle with Iron Man back in issue #46. Michael has been trying to prove Tony murdered his brother since issue #82.

5. A footnote here acknowledges that this is a similar plot point to the then recently published Amazing Spider-Man #152. It says an explanation is forthcoming in the following issue’s letter page. Did people really care that much back then? In case you do, it was apparently a case of parallel thought.