Comics:Iron Man Vol 1 243

From Marvel Database

"Heartbeaten"

Gallery

Iron Man Vol 1 #243
June, 1989

Editor-in-Chief

Howard Mackie

Cover Artists

Bob Layton

Writers

Bob Layton, Dave Michelinie

Pencilers

Bob Layton

Inkers

Barry Windsor-Smith

Colourists

Paul Becton

Letterers

Janice Chiang

Editors

Howard Mackie

Previous Issue

Next Issue

242

244

Appearing in "Heartbeaten"

Featured Characters:

• Tony Stark

Supporting Characters:

• Bambi Arbogast
• James Rhodes
• Marcy Pearson
• Rae Lacoste

Villains:

• Kathy Dare

Other Characters:

• Ant-Man (Scott Lang)
• Bert Hindel
• Bryant Gumbel
• Charles Ingwe
• Justin Hammer
• Tigra

Locations:

• California

• Stark Industries

Items:

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "Heartbeaten"

Tony Stark is rushed to the hospital after being shot by stalker Kathy Dare. The bullet has ruptured his spine and he has lost consciousness. Almost immediately, reporters flock to the hospital hoping to catch a glimpse of America’s wealthiest bachelor. Rhodey is present and threatens several reporters who attempt to crowd him.

Kathy Dare has been arrested, but seems oblivious to the seriousness of her crime. Bert Hindel is appointed as her attorney. Almost immediately he begins preparing a defense suggesting that Kathy is a victim of physical and emotional abuse. Hindel calls a press conference and begins painting Kathy as a portrait of a victim on national television.

Inside the hospital, a special visitor’s ward has been set up for family and friends. Rhodey is watching the Hindel interview and smashes the television with his boot. Mrs. Arbogast, ever the stoic pillar of patience and virtue, calms Rhodey down. But she can only maintain her cool for so long. She finds a reporter dressed up as a janitor trying to sneak into the ICU to snap pictures of Tony Stark. Mrs. A smashes his camera and threatens to shove his janitorial squeegee “where it’ll do the most good��?.

Tony’s confidante Rae LaCoste hires Dr. Charles Ingwe; the world’s most accredited microsurgeon to fly out to California to attend to Tony. As Tony’s life hangs in the balance, Marcy Pearson, the Stark Enterprises Public Relations rep learns that in an event of an emergency, she has been selected to run Stark Enterprises in the case of Tony’s absence. Marcy asks Jim Rhodes if perhaps Iron Man can make a press statement to try and keep the S.E. image looking favorable.

Many eyes are glued to their televisions as the likes of Bryant Gumbel reports on the minute-by-minute status of Anthony Stark. Such witnesses include: Justin Hammer, Tigra and Ant-Man.

After many intense hours, Dr. Ingwe emerges from the ER and addresses the press. He informs the nation that Tony Stark shall live – however, he will never be able to walk ever again.

Notes

• Tony Stark does not appear as Iron Man in this issue.

• 1st appearances of Bert Hindel, Bryant Gumbel and Charles Ingwe.

Trivia

• Bryant Gumbel is a real-life sportscaster who has acted as host for The Today Show, The Early Show and Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

See Also

• Discuss Iron Man Vol 1 243 on the forums
• Cover gallery for the Iron Man series

Recommended Reading

• Iron Man (Volume 1) #242 (Kathy shoots Tony)

Links and References

• Iron Man #243 entry at the Grand Comics Database