Stark/Iron Man: Alone Together

Then in #’s 49 and 50, Stark’s power ran down to the last second, requiring Marianne’s assistance to plug him in to save his life. But she abandoned him in his moment of need, forcing Tony to realize that he really was alone in his life. (Tony broke their engagement off.)

In #58, after being nearly killed by the Mandarin, Tony realized that a last-minute recharge wasn’t what saved his life. In fact, it seemed like his heart was healing. After repeated tests, Stark determined that his body was no longer rejecting his heart, and that he could go longer periods without his chest piece. This was the beginning of a good time for Stark’s heart. He would go a long time without any health issues.

His run of good luck ended in #70, with the return of the Mandarin. A blow from his arch-foe, strained Tony’s heart. His life was only saved by a nuclear-powered pacemaker in the armor.

In #’s 92 and 93, he began to have dizzy spells and weakness again, but blamed it on the armor, having recently had several strenuous battles with no time to repair or recharge the armor.

After a number of major events rocked Tony’s world—the death of Janice Cord, repeated harm to Pepper and Happy (who finally had enough and left Tony), and the kidnapping of Abe Klein and Krissy Longfellow—he once again vowed to make the world believe that Tony Stark was a cold, unfeeling callous playboy, all so that his enemies wouldn’t try to get to him by going after his friends or employees. Once again, Tony puts up a wall between himself and others, isolating himself.

Although he’s spoken of his dual role before, Stark now began to speak of being two people—Iron Man and Tony Stark—sharing a soul, but never speaking to each other (IM 105). He adds that beneath the mask, "my voice, even my thoughts seem to change" (IM 105). In #108, he mused that it was funny that the whole world hadn’t "put two and two together" and figured out Tony Stark was Iron Man. Slowly his heart got better, becoming less of a plot driver.

After losing Whitney Frost and discovering that SHIELD was taking over his company (IM 119), not to mention accidentally being involved in the killing of the Carnelian Ambassador (IM’s armor was sabotaged #124), Tony began to comfort himself with alcohol and began a downward spiral. This was bad for him, but, surprisingly, good for his heart—his descent into a bottle occurred without any other real health problems.

"For better or worse, Stark is Iron Man, and Iron Man’s Stark! I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not sure I could!"

Demon in a Bottle

The events of his life had applied pressure upon Tony for years. Now, facing the loss of Whitney, the solitude he made for himself, and a pincer move from Nick Fury and SHIELD to take over his company, Tony was having trouble coping. Alcohol helped him take the edge off, then it helped him forget his problems. In #120, he even went into battle as Iron Man after four martinis, with almost disastrous results (“I never should have had that fourth martini,” IM 120).

After struggling with booze for a time, Tony finally got strength from the love and friendship of Bethany Cabe. In the great story, "Demon in a Bottle," Iron Man #128, she helped Tony get on the wagon. And Stark was able to stay off of booze for a long time.

In #167, Stark began drinking again. He slid downhill quickly, becoming a drop-dead drunk in #168. Fortunately, Stark was still smart enough to realize that being IM was too much responsibility for him. He revealed to Jim Rhodes that he was Iron Man—and then he passed out. He then proceeded to become a full-time drunk.

Stark hit skid row shortly thereafter, embracing the life all too easily. It was such a good life for him that he remained down on the bowery for some time, low-rent playboy—drinking. He was having a good time. It was a bet with Captain America—that Stark couldn’t stay sober for twelve hours—that finally convinced Tony that he had a problem with alcohol. Well, knowing is half the battle . . . Of course, knowing didn’t make it any easier to quit drinking.

While down and out, Stark began a romance of sorts with Gretl Anders, a pregnant wino who lived on the street (IM 178). They partied night after night, day after day, and became real close. Then one day—in the middle of a terrible blizzard, in the death of cold—Gretl had her baby (IM 182). She then died, leaving the baby in Tony’s arms. This was a huge turning point for Tony. Determined to stay alive—to keep the baby alive—he found his inner strength, that which had made him a hero for all these years. Tony and the boy survived the night, and Tony cleaned himself up.