Tony Stark Iron Man #14: Stolen Moments

Tony Stark Iron Man #14 opens up with Iron Man and Captain Marvel having a difficult discussion. The struggle is real for those who fall into the Alcoholism trap along with those around them. Since “Invincible Iron Man #128 (1979), Demon in a Bottle”, Tony Stark has been facing this foe on a daily basis and it takes super strength and super friends to be that recovery support. Even today, that terrific issue touches many people as it brings awareness of this serious topic. The excellent writing skills of David Michelinie and Bob Layton along with the artwork of John Romita Jr and Layton amplify the story to life even without the usual superhero tropes. “Can’t you see you’re becoming your own worst enemy?” – Bethany Cabe.

More recently, while in the eScape, Tony was tricked into taking a few drinks by his father, Howard Stark. Now, I know some readers may say; “Well, that’s not the same thing.” For those of us that have never experienced some sort of addiction, may not fully understand the struggle. Think of the eScape as a dream. You may have experienced that “all too real” of a dream and felt it to your bones. When Tony came out of the eScape, he “felt” those drinks and in his mind, he fell off the wagon.

Tony did find a way to “cheat” his intemperance; he can now digitally remove his memories. Damn, if it were so easy. Even with this capability in this fictional world, Tony “knew” that this was not the best choice; it was only an “easy fix”, a coward’s way out to bury his challenges. The arrogant Tony Stark just had to record the memories as a way to justify his actions to himself. I have to say that Tony Stark has always been my idol, lol. As Tony Stark Iron Man #14 continues, Iron Man and Captain Marvel battle Spymaster and we learn more of erased, “stolen” memories. There are two shocking points that Tony “relearned” that I wonder “how” it will haunt him in the upcoming issues.

Meanwhile, Jocasta and Janet were having a girl’s day out. This is an important part of this issue as well. Dan Slott with Jim Zub’s assistance makes the reader to “think” about discrimination and self-importance. However, Jocasta chooses a dangerous path down the devil’s road.

Slott, along with Zub, provides another strong issue with real lessons in Tony Stark’s life of fiction. I like the intense situations with the slips of humor that Slott and Zub factored into the storyline. Artist, Valero Schiti and colorist, Edgar Delgado provides some awesome eye candy within the action panels. Great details and awesome colors as Tony and Carol battle Spymaster!