Tony Stark confidante
Kevin O'Brian (or O'Brien, depending on who was
writing the yarn) was entrusted with the secret of
Iron Man, and the two even worked together on a
"fail-safe" measure in case something drastic happened....especially to Tony!
It was called the Guardsman armor,
and Kev first used it to rescue Iron Man
and Stark squeeze Marianne Rodgers
from the dreaded (yeah, right!) clutches of
Mikas (IM #43).
Upon returning to Stark Industries, Kev demonstrated the power of the suit as Captain America attacked the
Guardsman, thinking he was the one who had defeated
Shellhead (IM #44).
Here we see the first instances of what was to come -- the mind-altering
effects of the new green armor. Kev remarks to himself, "I -- I did it. With
these hands. I'm a powerhouse. I almost decked Capt. America. Bet nothing could
stop me if I wanted to pull out all the stops!"
As business forces ponder a takeover of S.I.,
the effects of the Guardsman suit begin to overwhelm Kevin, who is also now
spurred on by jealousy of Marianne Rodgers.
He uses excessive force when protestors gather outside of S.I., then at last
comes into conflict with Iron Man
as a result. IM initially
decks him, and Kev seems to come to his senses, but not for long. He again
confronts some radical protestors, and he and IM
again do battle. Kev boards a Stark "Aero-Tank"
and IM has no choice
but to use his full power against it...and the Guardsman perishes as a result!
(IM #46.) Kevin O'Brien's brother
Michael later donned the Guardsman armor (IM
#96) determined to avenge his brother against the Golden Avenger. He certainly
tried, ransacking the local Stark plant until Iron
Man knocked him silly (#97).
Of course, it was revealed, the suit had an adverse effect on Mike, too. But,
believe it or not, that didn't stop Tony from donning the outfit (as the IM suit was damaged from battle
with Ultimo) to mix it up
with Sunfire when he
conveniently showed up to trash S.I.! (IM #98.)
First ever & IM appearance: Iron Man #31 (O'Brien); Iron Man #43 (Guardsman).
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
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