Iron Man #223

Name: Iron Man #223
Brand: Marvel
Availability: InStock

Oct 1987 · Marvel · 0.75 USD; 0.95 CAD; 0.40 GBP

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“Counter Force!”

★ 1st appearance — Donnie Gill★ 1st appearance — Blizzard

About this Issue

Iron Man #223 is the first chapter of the two-part 'Counter Force!' story that served as the immediate prologue to the landmark 'Armor Wars' saga — the very arc that would define Tony Stark's character for decades by forcing him to reckon with his stolen technology. The issue is the debut of Donald 'Donnie' Gill, the second Blizzard, who went on to become one of Iron Man's most persistent cryogenic villains, appearing in animated series, video games, and Marvel's live-action television. It also introduces Rae LaCoste, a supporting character whose significance within the Michelinie–Layton run grew substantially — the writers had planned her to eventually be revealed as the new Madame Masque. Most crucially, the examination of Force's stolen armor in this story's immediate sequel is precisely what triggers Stark's discovery that his technology has been widely pilfered, lighting the fuse for 'Armor Wars.'

In "Counter Force!", Iron Man faces a moral crossroads when the reformed Force seeks redemption, only to be hunted by his former employer, Justin Hammer. With the new Blizzard, Backlash, and the Beetle forming a dangerous B-team, can Tony Stark’s ingenuity and armor hold the line? Written by David Michelinie and Bob Layton, with dynamic art by Mark D. Bright and inks by Layton, this 1987 issue delivers high-stakes action and a compelling twist on redemption. The cover by Bob Layton captures the tension perfectly.

writer David Michelinie · writer, inker Bob Layton · artist Mark D. Bright · colorist Bob Sharen · letterer Janice Chiang · cover Bob Layton

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History

The issue was produced by the reunited Michelinie–Layton team, who had returned to the Iron Man title with issue #215 (February 1987) after a years-long absence. Co-plotted by David Michelinie and Bob Layton, scripted by Michelinie, penciled by Mark Bright on layouts, and finished by Layton's inks, the book was edited by Mark Gruenwald under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter. The title page carried a cover date of October 1987 (released July 14, 1987), placing it just two issues before 'Armor Wars' Chapter I kicked off in #225. An alternate cover by Mark Bright was prepared but went unpublished.

Trivia · 8 facts

First appearance of Donald 'Donnie' Gill as the second Blizzard (Earth-616), a professional criminal equipped by Justin Hammer with a cryogenic suit previously used by the original Blizzard, Gregor Shapanka.
First appearance of Rae LaCoste, a recurring supporting character who is Tony Stark's acquaintance and later an ex-girlfriend of James Rhodes; Michelinie and Layton had planned her as a future Madame Masque.
Story titled 'Counter Force!' (Part 1 of 2); written by David Michelinie and Bob Layton, penciled by Mark Bright, inked by Bob Layton, colored by Bob Sharen, lettered by Janice Chiang, edited by Mark Gruenwald.
Cover art by Bob Layton; an alternate cover by penciler Mark Bright was completed but never published.
The issue is positioned two issues before 'Armor Wars' begins in #225 — Force's armor, central to this story, is the same armor Stark later examines to discover his technology was stolen, directly precipitating the Armor Wars.
Donnie Gill's Blizzard subsequently appeared in the 1990s Iron Man animated series (voiced primarily by Chuck McCann), Iron Man: Armored Adventures, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (portrayed by Dylan Minnette).
The issue is collected in the trade paperback Iron Man: Armor Wars Prologue, which reprints Iron Man #215–224.
Released July 14, 1987; cover-dated October 1987; published under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter.