- "Unknown variables can wreak havoc. Even on a solid plan."
- ―James Rhodes
| "Unknown Variables" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Iron Man | |
| Title: | "Unknown Variables" |
| Volume: | 6 |
| Number: | 22 |
| Cover price: | $3.99 |
| Cover date: | October, 2022 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | C.B. Cebulski |
| Writers: | Christopher Cantwell |
| Pencilers: | Angel Unzueta |
| Inkers: | Angel Unzueta |
| Cover artists: | Alex Ross; Björn Barends; Oscar Vega |
| Cover inker: | Alex Ross; Björn Barends; Oscar Vega |
| Cover colorist: | Alex Ross; Björn Barends; Alexander Lozano |
| Colorists: | Frank D'Armata |
| Letterers: | VC's Joe Caramagna |
| Assistants: | Martin Biro |
| Associates: | Annalise Bissa |
| Editors: | Tom Brevoort |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Iron Man, Vol. 6 #21 |
| Next: | Iron Man, Vol. 6 #23 |
"Unknown Variables" is the twenty-second issue of the sixth Iron Man ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Christopher Cantwell with artwork and inks by Angel Unzueta. It was colored by Frank D'Armata and lettered by Joe Caramagna of Virtual Calligraphy. The story was edited by Tom Brevoort with Martin Biro as assistant editor and Annalise Bissa as associate editor. This issue shipped with an October, 2022 cover date and carries a cover price of $3.99 per copy (US).
"Unknown Variables"[]
Iron Man and War Machine are in Vic Martinelli's hotel room discussing his recent murder. They believe that his work as an underground courier for dark networks such as Source Control resulted in his murder. Apparently, Vic was charged with moving an item so dangerous and so valuable that his conscious finally got the best of him and he turned against his employers.
Along with Clay Wilson, Tony and Jim investigate the clues and conclude that Vic may have been killed by the Titanium Man. They also determine that the merchandise that Vic was carrying might have been the Mandarin's rings. Tony decides that he must go underground as a buyer to suss out the tech being distributed by Source Control - even if it costs him every penny he owns.
War Machine and Iron Man are ready to fight!
As they leave the hotel, they are ambushed by the Titanium Man. Despite fighting two opponents, the Titanium Man does fairly well for himself, but he gets the upper hand when he sprays Tony with a fatal dose of Compound 13 - the most deadly nerve agent in the world. Fortunately, Tony's filtration systems is able to bleed off enough of it so that Tony doesn't immediately die. Rhodey immediately gets him to a hospital. Once he is well enough to travel, Tony and Rhodey make for Macau - the base of operations for Source Control. Rhodey pilots the plane, while Tony flies his armor in stealth mode.
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Vic Martinelli (In flashback only)
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
- B.O.S.S.
- Captain America's shield
- Compound 13
- Handgun (In flashback only)
- Iron Man armor
- Iron Man armor model 70
- Mandarin's rings (In flashback only)
- Power armor
- Titanium Man armor
- War Machine armor
- Shield
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 series is rated T+ for Teen.
- This issue is UPC barcode number 759606098668 02211.
- This issue shipped to retailers on August 3rd, 2022.
- This issue is Legacy number 647. Iron Man 647 redirects to this page.
- Includes a free code that can be redeemed for a digital version of the issue.
- This issue shipped with a variant cover of Iron Man fighting a Predator illustrated by Björn Barends.
- This issue shipped with a "stealth" variant cover illustrated by Oscar Vega and Alexander Lozano.
- This issue includes a memoriam for late artist and comic legend George Pérez. Perez passed away from complications from pancreatic cancer on May 6th, 2022.
- The death of Vic Martinelli was revealed at the end of Iron Man #21. His death occurred behind-the-scenes, off-panel.
- Tony Stark hired Vic Martinelli to held up his security department for Stark International way back in Iron Man #147.
- Vic Martinelli remained with the company even after it had been taken over by Obadiah Stane back in Iron Man #170.
- Vic Martinelli destroyed an Iron Man armor MK I suit with Frank Castle in Punisher: The Prize #1.
- Iron Man most recently dealt with Switchback in Iron Man #21.
- Compound 13 is the most deadly nerve gas on the planet. It first appeared in Captain Marvel #34 in September, 1974. It is the chemical responsible for giving Mar-Vell cancer, which ultimately killed him.
- James Rhodes makes reference to having his neck injured. This happened in Iron Man #18.