Iron Man #149
Doomquest
A cargo ship is attacked on the high seas by a group of highly advanced pirates. Luckily, the crew and its cargo are saved by Iron Man. However, instead of continuing on its voyage to Europe, Iron Man orders them to return to the States as the order has been cancelled by Stark International.
Iron Man quickly returns to headquarters where he changes out of his suit of armor.[1] He is running late for an important board meeting and when he arrives he finds that Yvette Avril — his new vice president — already had things well under way. Tony takes the lead of the meeting and uses the opportunity to fire Zarro, the head of operations at Stark Interntional’s head of operations in Miami. This is because he sold components to the nation of Latveria. This was going against Stark’s express orders to never do business with that country, even though its former ruler, Doctor Doom, has been disposed.[2]
Meanwhile, in the distant past, Doctor Doom has completed mystical training under the guidance of the master sorcerer Cogliostro. As thanks, Doom gives the mystic the means of achieving immortality before returning to the present via his Time Platform. Doom is pleased with his lead scientist, Gert Hauptman, and commends him for a job well done. However, when Hauptman informs his master that the shipment from Stark International was canceled, Doom becomes furious as he needs them for his next trip through time.[3] Doom orders him to retrieve the components right away. Gert follows orders by secretly vows to avenge the death of his brother, Gustav, at the first opportunity.[4]
Back in the United States, Tony Stark has figured that Doom will try to steal back the components and — as Iron Man — waits at the pier. Sure enough, an aquatic vehicle emerges from the waters and attacks him. Unfortunately, it snares Iron Man in some cables that interfere with his internal circuitry allowing them to escape with the components.
Unwilling to take this laying down, Tony decides to go to Latveria and get the components back. Tony has his personal pilot, Jim Rhodes, fly him to the European nation. There is a tense moment at customs when soldiers are called to greet him. Although he assumes the worst, Tony is surprised when they inform him that the Latverian government will give him full access to Doctor Doom’s former castle and co-operate with his and Iron Man’s investigation.
Changing into Iron Man, the Avenger flies to Doom’s castle and his advanced sensors point him to a secret entrance obscured by a hologram. Inside, he confronts Doctor Doom who tells Iron Man that the parts are his and gives him a chance to leave with his life. When the hero refuses Doom attacks him. In the ensuing battle, the pair end up falling onto the Time Platform. This is the opportunity that Hauptman has been waiting for and uses it to send them back into the past. Once the two combatants are gone, Gert smashes the controls trapping Doom and Iron Man forever.
Recurring Characters
Iron Man, Doctor Doom, Jim Rhodes, Bethany Cabe, Blacklash, Gert Hauptman, Yvette Avril, Cogliostro
Continuity Notes
Here Tony laments over two separate issues affecting his life at the time of this story:
The first is the disappearance of Bethany Cabe, who went off on a mission in Europe without any explanation. In issue #151-152 we learn that she is going to rescue her long lost husband whom she previously believed to be dead. See Iron Man #128 for all the details on that.
Second, he’s upset that his facility is still being repair after an attack by Blacklash. This happened in Iron Man #146-147.
This story takes place shortly after Doctor Doom was disposed as ruler of Latveria in Fantastic Four #200. Doom escaped captivity in Fantastic Four Annual #15 and is at large at the time of this issue. He will regain his throne in Fantastic Four #247.
It’s revealed next issue that Doom is learning sorcery from the masters in order to finally save his mother’s soul from Hell. First revealed in Fantastic Four Annual #2, Doom’s mother was accused of being a witch and murdered. Doom has been trying to reach her soul since his college days, as seen in Fantastic Four #5. Every year, Doom has been engaging in a mystic ceremony to try and free his mother since Marvel Super-Heroes #20. He will eventually succeed in Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment #1.
Doctor Doom killed Gustav for trying to kill the Fantastic Four, an honor Doom wanted for himself. See Fantastic Four #87 for all the details. This story incorrectly attributes Hauptman’s death to issue #85 of that series.
