Iron Man #239
Unholy Ghost
Electronica Fabrizzia, a Roman electronics company, has been having a problem with industrial sabotage caused by the Ghost. In response, Justin Hammer has sent his operatives Blacklash, the Blizzard, and Boomerang.[1] Inside, they discover that the Ghost has sabotaged a number of maintenance robots that are now running amok in the facility. However, catching the Ghost is easier said than done as he has since upgraded his equipment so that has greater control over his ability to become intangible. After delivering a humiliating defeat to the trio of Hammer goons, the Ghost vows to be back to destroy Electronic Fabrizza once and for all.
Back in Los Angeles, Tony Stark is dealing with more drama from Kathy Dare, who has announced that they are getting married. While out sailing with Rae LaCoste he confirms to her that the rumor is unfounded and he doesn’t know what to do about Kathy’s possessiveness. Rae isn’t sure either, but assuresh im that she doesn’t see Kathy as a threat to their relationship. That’s when Tony receives a priority alert for Iron Man and has to cut their date short. However, when they get to shore, Tony learns that it was Kathy who figured out how to send the alert. She wants to get Tony’s opinion on a new dress that she just purchased. Furious that she would summon him for something so trivial, Tony loses his temper and cancels their upcoming date. This makes Kathy cry but they are crocodile tears hiding the fact that she is deeply jealous of the time Rae is spending with Tony.
Tony then returns to Stark Enterprises where he meets with his lawyer, Felix Alvarez. Felix has investigated why Electronica Fabrizzi is so eager to sell to them, particularly since other investors are steering clear. Felix can’t find details as to why, but is certain that something definitely stinks about it. Tony then contacts Abe Zimmer his resident hacker at AccuTech, a Stark subsidiary. He asks Abe to use his hacking skills to find everything he can on Electronica Fabrizzi. Despite these warning signs, Tony asks Jim Rhodes to ready the private jet to fly out to Rome and see the company for himself.
Meanwhile, Blacklash, Blizzard, and Boomerang return to Justin Hammer’s mansion to report their failure. Hammer is not happy but when the trio offer to try to stop the Ghost a second time, he assures them that he has a back up plan in motion.
At that moment, Tony and Jim are reaching Italy. Along the way, Stark expresses his concern for Donny Gill — aka the Blizzard — following his break out from prison. He was hoping to convince Gill to give up his life of crime while he is still young and before he becomes a hardened criminal. Suddenly, their jet begins malfunctioning prompting Tony to change into Iron Man so he can go outside and make emergency repairs.
While at an abandoned automobile factory, the Ghost is working on more improvements to his arsenal. He feels he has a lot of catching up to do following his previous defeat at the hands of Iron Man, but is confident that he will add Electronica Fabrizzi to the list of corporations he has destroyed.[2] When Tony and Jim arrive at their hotel, Tony calls Rae and learns that she recently got into a car accident. Apparently the breaks on her car gave out, but she assures Tony that she only suffered minor injuries. He then gets a call from Abe Zimmer, who has uncovered that Electronica Fabrizzi is a front organization but he has not yet figured out actually owns it. That’s when a chauffeur arrives to pick up Tony. When he points out he didn’t call for a limo, the driver tells him that it was sent by an old friend.
Deciding to see what this is all about, Tony goes along with the chauffeur and is taken to a fancy Italian restaurant. This “old friend” turns out to be none other than Justin Hammer.[3] Hammer reveals that he owns Electronica Fabrizzi and admits that he was trying to dump the company on Stark because it wasn’t turning a profit. However, now that the Ghost is causing him grief, he would like Iron Man to deal with him. Tony refuses until Hammer offers to over Donny Gill to Tony since he has developed an interest on steering the young man onto the straight and narrow path. Accepting the offer, Tony leaves.
The following morning, the media is abuzz over Tony Stark’s scheduled appearance at Electronica Fabrizzi. Watching this coverage is the Ghost, who believes that this is a sign from god. Waiting outside the facility is Jim Rhodes who is willing to give Tony back-up if he needs help. Tony, meanwhile, has entered the building as Iron Man and is instantly confronted by the Ghost. In the ensuing battle, the Ghost slaps on a device that turns Iron Man intangible. Trapped in an immaterial form, Iron Man is told that he will be trapped in this state until he starves to death.
Recurring Characters
Iron Man, Ghost, Justin Hammer, Blacklash, Blizzard, Boomerang, Jim Rhodes, Abe Zimmer, Kathy Dare, Rae LaCoste Bambi Arbogast, Felix Alvarez
Continuity Notes
The trio mention how the Blizzard was recently busted out of jail. He was arrested after he, Blacklash, and Beetle failed to assassinate Force after he turned on Justin Hammer in Iron Man #224. He was busted out last issue. Also mentioned is how Boomerang is replacing the Beetle’s place on the team. The Beetle’s armor was bricked by Iron Man in issue #227. The Beetle will be out of action by Fantastic Four #334.
The Ghost previously fought Iron Man and lost in Iron Man #219-221. His hatred of corporations is not explained here. By his own accounts, the Ghost was completely screwed over by a corporation that tried to steal his GhostTech. He murdered them all and devoted his life to destroying all corporations. See Thunderbolts #151.
Hammer makes a passing reference to Tony’s past drinking problems. Stark has struggled with alcoholism his entire life and recently had two very disastrous benders. The first in Iron Man #128 and a second more ruinous one in that lasted from Iron Man #167 to 182.
Topical References
Kathy wants Tony to take her to Spago was a line of high end restaurants that served California cuisine. The location in California closed up shop in 2001 and thus this reference should be considered topical.
Donny Gill is depicted wearing a Hank Williams t-shirt. This could be considered a topical reference, but then again Hank Williams’ popularity has endured even after his death in 1953. One could assume that Gill is a fan of classic country music.
This story states that Tony is staying at the Hilton Roma Hotel. This should be considered topical as Hilton is a real world hotel company.
