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| Publisher |
Marvel |
| Published | November 1989 |
"Iron Tears, Part 4 of 4" Guest-starring Iron Man. Script by Peter David. Pencils by Jeff Purves. Inks by Marie Severin. Cover by Jeff Purves and Bob McLeod. Story continues from Iron Man 247. Shell-Head and the Gray Goliath work together to deceive the Maggia! Iron Man wants to capture Madame Masque; and the Hulk wants to get paid for his trip to Los Angeles! But the powerful duo better be careful! Because A.I.M., Hydra, and the Maggia play for keeps! In the meantime, Tony Stark learns that Betty Banner has miscarried Bruce's baby, but he decides not to tell his friend. Cameo appearance by Mrs. Arbogast. Continuity Notes The Maggia bosses discuss their recent losses: How their connections to the government and the FBI were exposed. That happened thanks to Iron Man leaking the information to the media in Iron Man #247. How they have lost Las Vegas: The Maggia had been trying to get a foothold there since Incredible Hulk #347, they eventually sent Nick Cloot to try and secure the situation in Incredible Hulk #356, but he was ultimately defeated by the Hulk in Incredible Hulk #359. The Maggia boss mentions how Iron Man recently rescued Madam Masque from Hydra and AIM and how his "employer" Tony Stark was selling controlling stock in Stark Industries. This process began in Iron Man #246–Iron Man #247. In this story everyone thinks that Iron Man and Tony Stark are two separate individuals. This is because at the time of this story Tony's double-identity was a secret. He does not reveal his identity to the general public until Iron Man (Vol. 3) #55. Iron Man wants to know who apparently killed Whitney Frost and who the new Madam Masque is. This who situation is a complicated ruse. As explained in Avengers (Vol. 3) #32 the real Whitney Frost/Madame Masque became paranoid and went into hiding shortly after Iron Man #116. In her place was a series of bio-duplicates who took her place. Iron Man was led to believe that Whitney Frost was killed in Iron Man #238, however, this was the first of many bio-duplicates. This new Madam Masque was the second Bio-Duplicate used. Tony Stark is confined to a wheelchair in this story because he was shot through the spine by his former girlfriend Kathy Dare shot him through the spine in Iron Man #242. Stark eventually repairs his spine in Iron Man #248. Tony Stark mentions how "Iron Man" last saw the Hulk during the "Evolutionary thing". He is referring to the Evolutionary War, which Iron Man and the Hulk fought side-by-side in during the events of Avengers Annual #17. Bruce mentions how he is hoping to see Betty and her baby soon. Betty learned she was pregnant with Bruce's child in Incredible Hulk #340, Bruce learning the truth in Incredible Hulk #344. Unknown to Bruce, Betty had a miscarriage as explained last issue.
