"Ashes to Ashes" Iron Man 285 (October 1992)
"Dust to Dust" Iron Man 286 (November 1992)
(1992/10/01)

Reader Rating: Average; Thunderbolts Interest: Low

Summary: During a funeral for Tony Stark (presumed dead), Spymaster attacks Stark Enterprises with the aid of the Beetle, Blizzard and Blacklash. James Rhodes again dons the Iron Man armor to fight them. Things get complicated when the Avengers West Coast arrive, and assume that the new IM is working with the villains. Avengers: Dr. Pym, Hawkeye, the Living Lightning, and the Wasp.

Continuity: The Beetle and Blizzard appear to be working for Spymaster this time, but it's a good bet that Justin Hammer is funding the villains behind the scenes. Following their capture, Abe and Donny are presumably turned over to the authorities. Once again, Abe is back on the loose very quickly. Hawkeye leads the AWC

Comments: Average action. Hawkeye knows that Rhodes was Iron Man when the AWC was formed, so it’s a little hard to understand why he assumes the worst when they discover Iron Man standing over four known costumed villains. By now, the Beetle-Blacklash-Blizzard combo have become the Three Stooges of super-villaindom.