Cover Art: Johnny Craig

(July, 1968)

"My Friend, My Foe...The Freak!"  

Script: Archie Goodwin

Art: Johnny Craig

Tony Stark pushes the Iron Man armor too far, and he has to seclude himself and wear it with a constant charge from a nearby generator.  Near death, he is aided by Happy Hogan, who under Tony's direction builds a new kind of armor.  But Happy is exposed to cobalt rays and turns once again into the rampaging Freak!  Tony eventually traps his berserk friend and knocks him out with sleep gas.  I always thought the Freak was an incredibly contrived idea and it got worse with every new exposure. Tidbits:  Intro of  "integrated circuits," replacing the old armor's transistors.  Also, intro of the thermocouple, allowing IM to regain energy through intense heat or cold.

Appearances: Iron Man (Tony Stark), Happy Hogan (becomes the Freak), Big M (cameo, as Whitney Frost), Pepper Potts, Jasper Sitwell
Rob Clough's Recommendation:  1/2 repulsors!