THEZEPHEROUS ARCHIVE

On This Day Comics

Iron Man #118. Before War Machine.

Rhodey’s first appearance, a later turn in Iron Man’s armor and a physical interpretation of War Machine.

The original feature 35 seconds. The story is also available in the slides and text below.

The Feature Film

Iron Man #118. Before War Machine.

Before War Machine, there was Rhodey.

On October 24, 1978, Iron Man #118 introduced James “Rhodey” Rhodes. Forty-eight years later, we're looking back at the pilot who became a hero in his own right.

The Photo Essay

5 slides from the feature.

The story behind the images.

David Michelinie and Bob Layton wrote the issue, with pencils by John Byrne and inks and cover by Layton. It carries a January 1979 cover date, but this anniversary follows its October on-sale date.

Rhodey's journey would include taking up the Iron Man armor, as seen in #170 in 1983, years before his War Machine era.

Already preserved in the Archive: Iron Man #118. Seeking next: Hot Toys' Iron Man 2 War Machine, 1/6-scale DIECAST, MMS331-D13. Collectible prototype reference shown; not an owned piece.

Wanted for the Archive

War Machine in diecast.

Hot Toys’ Iron Man 2 War Machine 1/6-scale DIECAST figure, MMS331-D13, with its original accessories and packaging.

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