Iron Man #126 Page 31 Splash (John Romita, Jr./Bob Layton) (1979)
Artists: John Romita, Jr. (Penciller) , Bob Layton (Inker)
42 Comments - 1,288 Views - 31 Likes
Additional Images:
Iron Man #600 B&W Variant (2018)
Iron Man #600 Color Variant (2018)
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI admit it - I was wrong. And unprepared.Let's back up a bit first. When this splash hit Heritage previews last year, I was pretty happy. Not only a great splash and not only from the dream team era of David Michelinie, John Romita, Jr. and Bob Layton, but an important splash from the acclaimed Demon in a Bottle storyline. And not only a terrific visual but a memorable dramatic endpage with powerful dialogue. More than one collector referred to it as a "one and done Iron Man piece" or similar language. I had a number of nice Iron Man splashes already but this one was just too good to not go after. So I was definitely geared up for the auction. I knew I'd be bidding and I thought I had the price range of the piece. But like I said above, I was wrong. The piece sailed past my bids and my expectations. And while I was still getting my head around where it had gone to, the auction ended. That was it. Gone. All I could do was shake my head. I had gotten it wrong and was unprepared for how high it would go. I didn't anticipate the level of interest from non-traditional Iron Man fans who wanted a premiere piece from the premiere Iron Man period/storyline/artists. Some time passed. One day I was talking to a collector friend about a variety of things and Iron Man came up. He revealed confidentially that he had taken down the splash --a A+ one and done piece indeed. Well, I thought, at least I know where it is and it's with someone who can appreciate it. I told him that if he ever wanted to part with it, to let me know. Somewhat surprisingly, he seemed to consider that possibility. As it happens, not too long after, the stars did some aligning, he and I discussed it further and the timing worked for us to come to a mutually beneficial agreement. He appreciated that the piece was going to a good home for Iron Man art and I appreciated him letting me acquire the splash. Note, for some reason, based on the settings on my scanner, the image is more "yellow" than the splash is in person. The splash was also used as a rare variant cover for Iron Man #600 (2018) - see additional pics. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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M . 
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Very nice! Love the dialogue. Iron Man doing his Punisher impression.
John S.
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
What can i say, yet another amazing Iron Man piece for your amazing collection.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
Posted on 2/1/2023
Looking at your artwork, its in the right collection. Congratulations.
Ron S
Member Since 2007
Posted on 2/1/2023
Amazing piece in the right collection. Nice job in bringing it home. It's a great page, and I too was caught off guard in the bidding. Apparently - if you're lucky and a good guy - there are second chances.
Abraham Martinez
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Great story!! So many times we miss out on a piece to never see it or get the opportunity to own it again. Congratulations on a iconic piece.
James S
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
The art just needed to sow its oats and see the world before it settled down into its permanent home!
Congrats!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
This is probably my single favorite image of Iron Man that Layton ever drew on his glorious original run. About a million years ago, one of the previous owners offered it to me for something like $400. I thought it was to pricey and passed. Just one of the countless reasons I am not a member of Mensa. Anyway, I think you're probably about done with collecting Iron Man art now. Can't imagine you're going to top this piece in your lifetime. You are truly the envy of every Iron Man collector. Congratulations sir!
Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Thanks for the write up and .....damn it is the perfect image from the perfect era. Quintessential is the word I'd use.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
The pose and inking is so fluid and powerful for that time period! Super polished work by Layton! Even bigger image of Iron Man than what can be used on a cover!
Dino Mauricio
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Awesome Iron man splash, a classic and gorgeous image of ol' shellhead by this talented artistic trio! So happy for your Daren!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Congratulations Daren! So happy that it found it's way to you!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Yes - that is a stunner - I'm sure it is happy with the company it is keeping!
Steve Lawrence
Member Since 2016
Posted on 2/1/2023
I remember watching the bidding on this one. Big congrats
Daniel C.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/1/2023
Welcome to the ultimate Iron Man splash page from the classic Romita Jr./ Layton run. Truly, a stunner.
alessandro gentili
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/2/2023
That's The Iron man piece. Really Iconic! Happy for you.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
Posted on 2/2/2023
This is one of the best IM spashes I ever seen! Huge congrats!
Lee Benaka
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/2/2023
Thanks for sharing the acqusition story Daren. It's good to know that collectors who focus intensely on particular characters or artists can have their limits, and it's nice to know that they can have second chances when they miss out. Oh, and this is a killer Iron Man image, congrats!
Paul Brzegowy
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/2/2023
Not many splashes done on Layton's iconic run as good as this one. Congrats
Kasra Ghanbari
Member Since 2004
CAF Administrator
Posted on 2/2/2023
Daren, you're a beast!! CONGRATS!!!!
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
Posted on 2/2/2023
As perfect a piece of Iron Man art as has ever been created. The image of Shellhead is completely iconic--but I'll focus on some elements that contribute to making this such an incredible piece of art: I love the shadows on the floor, the use of white out to create shine on the reflective floor, the detail of the destroyed machinery and tech behind IM. So much work on the page, and so well designed and executed--truly a stunning piece of comic book art.
Thomas FISH
Member Since 2005
Posted on 2/2/2023
great page and awesome cover!!
so you like Iron Man?
Dan P
Member Since 2009
Posted on 2/3/2023
I tried to warn you beforehand!
Regardless, all's well that ends well. Congrats!
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/4/2023
Crazy good this splash page. It fits perfectly in your fantastic collection!!!!
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/5/2023
Quintessential Iron Man! Wowie wow wow WOOOWWW!!!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/6/2023
Congrats Daren! This has to be one of the finest Iron Man splashes ever--The heroic pose, the crisp inks, the classic monologue! And it's certainly ended up in the right collection. Kudos to you!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/17/2023
You can't touch this. Break it down. Stop! (Justin) Hammer time.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/24/2023
Wow. Not sure if there's more of a quintessential Iron Man shot I've seen! Unreal stuff, Daren. Huge congrats!
R Shur
Member Since 2004
Posted on 7/13/2023
Let me be the 40th to offer congrats.
It's one of the pieces that defines both the Demon In A Bottle and Romita Jr/Layton era's. Not many splashes from those era's stand above mine, but IMHO this one and p1 from #128 are the 2 that do!
Wow!
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
Posted on 5/4/2024
For my money, the early JR JR is the best JR JR, and this style with Bob Layton on ink duty is the quintessential Iron Man look. Always will be.
This one goes over the fireplace, in a flame retardant frame, of course.
Pure awesomeness.
Alex B
Member Since 2008
Posted on 6/22/2024
Imho the best Iron Man page ever. Huge congrats for this historic (and breathtaking) splash !
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 7/19/2025
Was just leafing through some old HA catalogs and came across this page, which of course compelled me to go to your gallery and revisit the piece. Such a spectacular splash, and what an epic auction that was. Just so much great art. Probably one of the most loaded Heritage auctions I've seen. I read your description again too, and had a good chuckle from your story. I've lost count of how many times I underestimated an auction. But so glad you got a second shot at this phenomenal piece. Anyway, now that you have the Holy Grail of IM pages, maybe you might think about giving me back the splash we traded for. Haha! Seriously though, congrats again.
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