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Issue Review
Iron Man #197

Direct Market Release Date: April 23, 1985

Credits

Title: Call him... Thundersword
Writer: Denny O'Neil
Penciler: Rick Buckler
Inkers: Ian Akin & Brian Garvey
Letterer: Rick Parker
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Cover Artist: John Byrne
Editor: Mark Gruenwald
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary

Following up on the events of Secret Wars II #1, Jim Rhodes, currently Iron Man, takes the defeated Stewart Cadwall into custody. While in prison, Cadwall realizes that he can still transform into Thundersword, and breaks free. After failing to prevent Thundersword from escaping, Iron Man returns to Circuits Maximus headquarters, only to head out again when he overhears that Thundersword is now destroying sections of Hollywood.

Meanwhile, Tony Stark overhears Bethany Cabe being kidnapped from her hotel in Tulaluma while talking with her on the phone. With Rhodey currently occupied fighting Thundersword, Stark dons his original Iron Man armor, and flies off to rescue her. The old armor proves to be too slow, and Stark arrives in time to see Cabe and her abductors fly off in a rocket powered helicopter.

Stark returns to Silicon Valley and recommends to Rhodey that he charge the armor to it's maximum capacity, by hooking it up to an atomic reactor. Stark, with the help of Circuits Maximus owners Morley and Clytemnestra Erwin, enters the nuclear reactor, and connects it to a prototype of the Silver Centurion armor.

Using this prototype chestplate, Stark funnels the nuclear reactor's power into Rhodey's armor. The increase in power is so great, that Rhodey punches Thundersword far out into the ocean, where he presumably escapes.

Quotes

Thundersword: An airliner! How often have I suffered the discomfort of those sterile plastic capsules... the arrogance and rudeness of those who run them! They shall pay for the degradation of the spirit!

Commentary

Iron Man #197 is a great example on one way to incorporate crossovers from large scale events into monthly titles - pick up on an event from the main title, in this case, the defeat of Thundersword in Secret Wars II #1, and show us what happens afterwards. Unfortunately, the execution of this idea isn't handled so well. Thundersword, who was a pretty bland "villain" to begin with, escapes from prison, only to be chased down and escape once more.

In fact, the entire issue's plot can probably be summed up as Thundersword escapes.

Twice.

He has not appeared in the Marvel Universe since.

This issue also features a teaser appearance of the chestplate of Iron Man's popular Silver Centurion armor that would make it's full appearance a few months later in Iron Man #200.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in Secret Wars II #2!