During my Iron Man origin story research, I came across this bit of fun in Iron Man #144 (Volume 1). Written by Iron-scribe David Micheline and co-plotted by Bob Layton, it featured one of those Vietnam flashbacks into Tony Stark's first appearance as Shellhead. But with a difference-this story concentrates on what happened after Tony escaped General Chu's army. How did he get back to Saigon?
He meets Rhodey. For those of you under 18, his full name is Jim Rhodes and later on he became Tony's best friend, the second person ever to become Iron Man, and eventually the new hero called War Machine. At this point in time, he's just a helicopter pilot trying to survive the war. And just how does he survive?
Yeah, by rolling a joint and getting high! Tony's try to play it cool and pretend Iron Man is another fella. Meanwhile, he really wants a puff. Almost getting killed in the jungle is a good excuse to get stoned, if you ask me.
Unfortunately, those iron mitts aren't built for smoking. Tony crushes it and just has to deal with reality. I can't believe this made it through Marvel editorial. Would it pass through today? Maybe.
It does give Rhodey a kick in the butt to make it back to Saigon, where he makes the best friend he could ever have. Who wouldn't want to be Tony Stark's wingman when he goes out cruising for babes? I liked Rhodey. I liked Bethany Cabe, too. Nuff said.
Now you're just being silly.
Lookey. The papers are coiled like a bog roll. You'd need a machine to roll paper like that. Unless they're selling prefabricated joint in Saigon...
Though it's not impossible I suppose?