- "For a month I've been learning the ins and outs of this tin suit. Sooner or later, I had to put it to a real test. Looks like today's the day."
- ―Iron Man
| "Ball and Chain" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Iron Man | |
| Title: | "Ball and Chain" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 171 |
| Cover price: | .60 |
| Cover date: | June, 1983 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Jim Shooter |
| Writers: | Denny O'Neil |
| Pencilers: | Luke McDonnell |
| Inkers: | Steve Mitchell |
| Cover artists: | Luke McDonnell |
| Cover inker: | Steve Mitchell |
| Colorists: | Bob Sharen |
| Letterers: | Rick Parker |
| Assistants: | Michael Carlin |
| Editors: | Mark Gruenwald |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Iron Man #170 |
| Next: | Iron Man #172 |
"Ball and Chain" is the 171st issue of the first Iron Man ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Denny O'Neil with artwork by Luke McDonnell and inks by Steve Mitchell. It was colored by Bob Sharen and lettered by Rick Parker. The story was edited by Mark Gruenwald with Michael Carlin as assistant editor. This issue shipped with a June, 1983 cover date and carries a cover price of .60 cents per copy.
"Ball and Chain"[]
Eliot Franklin, aka Thunderball is on the warpath after learning that a woman from his past named Rhonda Taddington has married a cop named Billy Leffingwell. He tears up a motel in Niagara Falls, then makes his way to a power plant in upstate New York in search of her.
James Rhodes meanwhile, is still getting accustomed to being the new Iron Man. With Morley Erwin guiding him, he puts the Mark IV armor through its paces. Rhodey and Morley learn about Thunderball's attack at the power plant, which is where Morley's sister, Clytemnestra happens to be working.
Rhodey flies out to fight him, but his inexperience with armored combat has him at a disadvantage. He uses the suit's electromagnets to pull Thunderball's ball and chain away from him, but doing so nearly exhausts the armor's power supply. Clytemnestra, using Morse Code, signals to Rhodey that he can recharge the armor by tapping into live electrical conduits. After getting himself back to maximum power, he easily defeats Thunderball.
Meanwhile, Tony Stark is at a party in a New York City hotel room with Heather Glenn. His alcoholism plunges him further into the abyss and he passes out on the couch.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- Iron Man was created by writers Stan Lee & Larry Lieber and artist Don Heck. He first appeared in the first story presented in Tales of Suspense #39 in March, 1963 titled "Iron Man Is Born!".
- This issue carries the approval stamp of the Comics Code Authority.
- This issue is cover copy number 02454.
- The tagline to this issue is "It's the new Iron Man's first all-out slugfest -- and Thunderball is determined to make it his last!"
- According to Amazing Heroes #21, this issue shipped to retailers on March 15th, 1983.
- This issue is reprinted in the Iron Man Epic Collection: The Enemy Within trade paperback collection published in October, 2013. This issue is also reprinted in the Invincible Iron Man: The Complete Collection digital media collection produced by Graphic Imaging Technology, Inc. and released in January, 2007.
- This is the third appearance of James Rhodes wearing the Iron Man armor model 04. This is his second cover appearance wearing the armor.
- This is the first appearance of Clytemnestra Erwin. She becomes a regular supporting character on the series during James Rhodes' run as Iron Man. She appears next in Iron Man #175.
- This is the second appearance of Tarkington Brown. He was introduced in Daredevil #195 (released this same month). He appears next in Daredevil #196.
- This is the fourth appearance of Morley Erwin, who is now a supporting character in the series. He appeared last in Iron Man #170.
- Thunderball appeared last in Thor #304. He appears next in Amazing Spider-Man #247.