Paul Ryan and John Byrne redo Iron Man's origin

[starwolf_oakley]

Marvel artist Paul Ryan and John Byrne redid Iron Man's origin in 1991. They changed Vietnam to Southeast Asia, and the war is over. Tony Stark is investigating attacks on his factories, and it turns out Wong Chu is working for the Mandarin. The Mandarin wants Stark and Professor Yinsen to unlock the secrets of the alien rings. Things do not go according to plan.











Hey, where's the sad "Lonely Man" piano music? Or is that for another character?

Given the Cold War ended in 1991, a lot of the Silver Age militarism was "eased out" from the origins of Marvel Heroes. Wong Chu is now working for the Mandarin instead of the Commies.

The Mandarin being connected to Iron Man's origin might be a little cliched, in how many retcons or adaptations like to give the arch-villain some link to the super hero's origin.

Comments

[zylly]

The addition of the Mandarin aside, I'm intrigued by having the Mandarin kill Wong Chu. The original made it pretty clear that Tony intended for the explosion to kill him.

[lyricalswagger]

Why does Marvel seem to think that an overcoat and a hat can disguise anyone?

[zylly]

Especially when we all know an eyepatch is the real ultimate disguise.

[lbd_nytetrayn]

It worked for the Ninja Turtles, didn't it?

[dr_archeville]

Didn't they reboot this again, sowing Wong Chu survived the explosion but was terribly scarred, and had his own IM suit (minus the chestpiece and helmet)?

[starwolf_oakley]

Kurt Busiek's run back in 2000. That story also involved Professor Yinsen's brain in a jar, because of course it did.