Vegas Bleeds Neon, Part 3

Tony Stark has come to Las Vegas to held Saige Kaufman — a private detective — find missing conspiracy author Mo Stanton. Their investigation brought Iron Man to a plot of land owned by casino owner Marcus Vicus. The land was previously owned by eccentric businessman Howard Hughes and was the site of an alleged UFO crash in 1954.

Investigating the land as Iron Man, Tony discovered an alien craft underground. Inside was Mo Stanton, who had been infected by the technoganic aliens that dwell inside. Stanton warned Stark that Marcus Vicus was planning to infect all of Las Vegas. Unwilling to leave Stanton behind, Iron Man feed him while blowing up the alien ship. Unfortunately, in the process of saving Stanton’s life, Tony got himself infected as well.

When Saige tries to help them, Mo warns her to stay away so she isn’t infected as well. He explains that the alien virus seeks out hosts until it finds one suitable to for widespread infection. It has infected Marcus Vicus and he has agreed to try and infect the entire city of Las Vegas. When Mo stumbled upon this conspiracy, he was infected, but he proved difficult to assimilate and was hidden in the alien ship.

Tony Stark also turns out to be a suitable carrier for mass infection and Tony is allowed to complete full control of his mind. Mo tries to absorb the infection back into himself, but isn’t strong enough. The only hope of preventing a planet wide outbreak is for Iron Man to locate where Vicus is hiding the last of the infectious neoplasm and prevent it from being released. Before he can leave, Tony passes out as the aliens show him visions of the future. A world where everyone on Earth has been infected and the Earth has become one efficient symbiotic machine.

Tony takes off and flies to Marcus Vicus’ hotel, along the way he blacks out and crashes into the lobby.[1] Regaining consciousness, Tony fights his way up into Vicus’ penthouse. There, he discovers that the real Marcus Vicus is a withered old man confined to a bed. He explains that the virus previously infected Howard Hughes, and his reclusiveness in his final years was because he resisted the man-machine evolution the aliens provided just as Tony is resisting himself. Iron Man refuse to allow this infection to happen but Vicus refuses to divulge where he has hidden all the neoplasm. He is also becoming furious that the virus appears to be choosing Tony Stark to be the primary host over him.

However, Tony quickly realizes that they are hidden in the model aircraft that is on display on the roof of the Big V casino. smashing through the ceiling, Iron Man grabs the plane and carries it out to the desert where he left Mo and Saige. Vicus, revitalizing his body with the alien infection, grows technorganic wings and follows Iron Man. There, Stark continues resisting the virus but admits to Marcus that he is very tired.

Vicus then suggests that he transfer the entire virus to Tony to give him strength. In reality, Vicus absorbs the entire virus into his body. This cures both Tony and Mo at the same time. Marcus revels in his victory when he suddenly realizes that he left himself vulnerable to Tony’s armor which can destroy the virus. Seconds after, Iron Man strikes Vicus with enough force to shatter his entire body. Stanton then asks Tony to end his life as well since his infection has left him misshapen. Tony refuses, asking Mo to at least let him help restore him to normal.

Tony spends the next four days in Las Vegas to wrap things up. Before he leaves he says goodbye to Saige Kaufman. The two almost kiss, but Tony stops himself, telling Saige that his romantic situation needs to be sorted out.[2] Saige understands and tells Tony that she has his card. As Tony drives out of Las Vegas, he considers buying up a casino and living out the rest of his years in Las Vegas in relative comfort, but decides against it.

Elsewhere in the desert, a drive pulls over to pick up a hitchhiker. The hitchhiker is Marcus Vicus. He asks the driver — Alvin — what he does for a living. Alvin says he pumps gas. Marcus wonders if is just a job or his career. The reason he is asking is Marcus is a wealthy man and he sees vast opportunities for them in the future.[3]

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, Saige Kaufman, Mo Stanton, Marcus Vicus, Gerald Fleury

Continuity Notes

1. Tony likens the sensation of being infected with the alien virus to what he enjoyed about being drunk. Tony has struggled with alcoholism his entire life. This was first explored in Iron Man #128.

2. Tony is referring to the situation with his estranged girlfriend Rumiko Fujikawa. The pair had been dating since they first met in Iron Man (vol. 3) #4. Rumiko walked out on Tony in Iron Man (vol. 3) #69 because he was ignoring her. The two try to get back together in issue #87, but it doesn’t go so well.

3. Although Vicus is revealed to be alive, as of this writing (April, 2023) he hasn’t been seen since.

Topical References

• This story centers around memorabilia that once belong to Howard Hughes. Hughes was a business magnate that was also a record-setting pilot, film star, and engineer. He was one of the most influential people of his time. Later on in life, he moved to Las Vegas and revitalized the city. In his later life he became an eccentric recluse until his death in 1975. As he is a historically significant individual and the story focuses on his legacy, references to him in this story should be considered factual.

• Marcus Vicus offers Tony a San Pellegrino. This should be considered a topical reference as this is a real world brand of bottled water.

• Tony is depicted driving a 1957 Ford Thunderbird into Las Vegas. This is an intentional choice. The vehicle is commonly associated with gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, particularly his 1971 book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, which was adapted into a film in 1998. Since this is an intentional choice of a classic car, something that wealthy people collect, this wouldn’t be considered a topical reference.