Iron Man #251 — Nick Peron

Jan 3

Jan 3 Iron Man #251

Wreck Him? I Nearly Killed Him!

While en route to his latest acquisition, Tony Stark witnesses the collapse of a freeway overpass. Changing into Iron Man, he saves the drivers imperiled by the disaster before continuing on his way. Returning to the plane piloted by Jim Rhodes, the pair complete their journey to Stark Prosethetics.

There they meet with the manager of the company, Curtis Carr, who was once the villain known as Chemistro until he lost his right foot in a battle.[1] Carr had build a cybernetic foot to replace his lost limb and thanks Tony for funding this new company so he can make up for his criminal past. The purpose of Stark Prosthetics is to develop cybernetics technology to help those with disabilities. Tony was inspired to start this new business after his own brush with disability.[2]

Outside, the Wrecker arrives to wreck the facility after being hired by the Kingpin to destroy Iron Man. He looks forward to completing the job so he can get enough money to reform his Wrecking Crew.[3] Sure enough, when he begins attacking the facility, Tony Stark slips away to change into Iron Man. After getting the patients to safety, Iron Man attacks the Wrecker head on.

However, the Wrecker’s enhanced strength and enchanted crowbar are far too powerful for Iron Man to handle on his own. Seeing the hero in trouble, Curtis Carr calls his brother, Calvin for help. Calvin — the current Chemistro — tells his brother that he can’t help because would be a conflict of interest since he is working for the Wizard, one of the Kingpin’s allies. Luckily, Iron Man manages to win the battle when he uses his armor’s magnetism weapon to bury the Wrecker under a pile of parked cars.

However, the battle leaves Iron Man in rough shape and ill prepared when Chemistro arrives on the scene to finish the job the Wrecker started.

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, Wrecker, James Rhodes, Curtis Carr, Chemistro, the Wizard

Continuity Notes

Carr’s career as Chemistro was short lived when he literally shot himself in the foot with his alchemy gun. See Hero for Hire #12.
After getting shot in Iron Man #242, Tony was confined to a wheelchair and unable to walk until an experimental biochip was used to cure him of his condition in issue #248.
A footnote here explains that while the Wrecker broke out of the Vault recently, his team is still imprisoned. See Avengers Spotlight #26 and Damage Control #1.