Random Happenstance

I hadn't read this one before, so it was a neat surprise: from 1978, Iron Man #112, "Moon Wars!" Written by Bill Mantlo, pencils by Keith Pollard, inks by Alfredo Alcala.

This feels more like a Thor plot than one for Iron Man, as it wraps up a storyline with the Rigellian Colonizers versus the Knights of Wundagore, hence Shellhead on one of those neat atomic steeds. Tony does have to work a bit harder than Thor would, though; since he can't fly from the moon to earth as easily, even while chasing the Punisher! Not Frank, the original Punisher, the robot thug Galactus used in Fantastic Four #49. How the Rigellians got it; well, you'd probably have to find the earlier chapters.

Also this issue: Jack of Hearts! The Soviet Super-Soldiers! And a Fred Hembeck letter! He had been enjoying Mantlo's stint on the title, but most fans are probably more familiar with the David Michelinie/Bob Layton era, which would start with #116.