The Challenge

Iron Man runs his armor through a battery of tests to make sure his various systems can make sure he everything is in proper working order. In particular, he pushes his new refectory coating to the limit to make sure that nobody can hack into his armor, just as Justin Hammer had done recently.[1]

Changing out of his armor, Tony heads up to his penthouse and finds his secretary, Bambi Arbogast, watering his flowers. When he asks about Iron Man’s appearance at a charity function only to learn that it was canceled due to Iron Man’s recent troubles. This bothers Tony, who recalls how something like this would lead him to drinking his worries, but is happy that he now has Bethany Cabe in his life to help him get through his problems.[2]

UTony heads down to Bethany’s bodyguard agency to pick her up. Along the way he gives money to what appears to be a homeless man, but is actually a spy keeping track of Stark’s movements.[3] After greeting Bethany’s business partner, Ling McPhearson, Tony takes Bethany to a wanky gentlemen’s club. Tony waits at the bar as Beth goes to freshen up. There, he is approached by Nikki Lilling the vice president of Renco Industries. She tries to flirt with Tony, but is shot down because Stark is already taken. Something Bethany makes a point to rub in as she returns to tell him their table is ready.

As Tony and Beth sit down to dinner, the mysterious being called the Other decides that it is time to attack Iron Man directly.[4] Unaware that the Avenger’s charity appearance was cancelled, the Other crashes the show. Annoyed that his foe isn’t there, the Other takes off to find him elsewhere.

By this time, Tony and Beth are taking a taxi downtown to catch a Broadway musical. They get out when they see a mob of people fleeing ahead of them. Rushing to the source of the panic they find the Other — who reveals himself to be the Titanium Man — he has come seeking Iron Man for their long awaited rematch so he can show his Russian masters he real loyalties.[5]

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, Titanium Man, Bethany Cabe, Bambi Arbogast, Ling McPherson

Continuity Notes

1. Justin Hammer hacked into Iron Man’s armor and used it to assassinate the Carnelian ambassador. See Iron Man #124.

2. Tony’s problematic drinking became an issue forcing him to sober up. See Iron Man #128 for all the gory details. Tony will remain on the wagon until Iron Man #167.

3. This spy is working for Madame Masque, as revealed in Iron Man #139.

4. Titanium Man was operating as “The Other” since Iron Man #113.

5. Titanium Man is alluding to his first battle with Iron Man from Tales of Suspense #69-71 when he and Iron Man were pitted against one another to prove whose country was superior.

Topical References

• The charity function that Tony has been invited to is being put on by the Lion’s Club. This should be considered a topical reference as this is a real-world organization.

• Tony makes a stop at the The Playboy Club, part of a franchise of nightclubs owned by the Playboy Enterprises who published (you guessed it, perv) Playboy Magazine. This should be considered a topical reference since these clubs have gone out of business. The one that Tony visits here was the New York chain that was in operation from 1962 until 1986. Incidentally, an ill conceived revival club was opened in New York in late 2018 and only lasted a year before it shut down. The post #MeToo climate was blamed for it, but let’s be honest, internet porn has killed anything resembling a strip club, not political correctness. Why pay money to go somewhere and get blue balls when you can fire off knuckle children for free in the comfort of your own home.

• Iron Man is replaced as the celebrity guest at the Lion’s Club by comedian Rodney Dangerfield. This should be considered topical as Dangerfield passed away in 2004.

• Tony and Bethany are going to see the Broadway performance of the musical A Chorus Line. Once upon a time this was the longest running musical on Broadway. It finished it’s run in 1990. Although it experienced a brief revival between 2006 to 2008, it’s reference here should be considered topical.