10 Amazing Comic Book Covers Marvel Wants You To Remember
7. Iron Man #128
These days, it's pretty clear to the world that Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, has a drinking problem. You don't often see Robert Downey Jr. without a glass of something in his hands over at the MCU, but alcoholism was a touchy subject in comics for years, which is why Iron Man #128 is such a landmark issue in the series.
Back when the Comics Code of Authority was a thing, publishers couldn't put up provocative stories about alcohol or drug use without a whole mess of trouble. Marvel decided to roll the dice with the nine-issue story arc called Demon in a Bottle, which began with issue 120 and ended with this issue.
This series has been called "the quintessential Iron Man story" by critics and is often regarded as one of the best stories to feature the character. It influenced every Iron Man story that followed and raised awareness of alcoholism with fans.
Bob Layton illustrated the cover for this issue, which shows a man who has truly reached rock bottom. The desperation and shame in Stark's eyes shows his struggle and truly captures the pain and damage that comes with alcoholism, even for one of Earth's Greatest Heroes.