Iron Man 120 Cover (1978) vs Namor the Sub-Mariner [THE Holy Grail!]
Artist: Bob Layton (All)
35 Comments - 2,909 Views - 9 Likes
![Iron Man 120 Cover (1978) vs Namor the Sub-Mariner [THE Holy Grail!] Comic Art](https://cafans.b-cdn.net/images/Category_450/subcat_6671/V3ftV6ei_0204222336151sbpi.jpg "Iron Man 120 Cover (1978) vs Namor the Sub-Mariner [THE Holy Grail!] Comic Art")
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CAF Featured Dec 1, 2012
Artwork Details
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DescriptionIron Man vs. Namor!Cover dated March 1978, on sale December 1978. My definitive comic art and overall comic book related holy grail. Iron Man #120 was the first comic book I ever purchased. Everytime I see the cover of this issue it transports me back to the late December 1978 day when I bought it from the ol' corner candy/cigar store in my old home town as a grade-schooler. Still remember the exact details including, appropriately enough, Al Stewart's Time Passages playing on the stores radio and how I passed over Avengers #181 and Brave and The Bold #148 [cool Aparo Batman and Plastic Man X-Mas cover] as I marveled - pun intended - at Iron Man fighting the Namor the Sub-Mariner on the #120 cover. A game changing day of my childhood. The next day I did pick up Avengers #181, but never had the extra nickel to get the Brave and the Bold. DC's were 40¢ and Marvel would remain at 35¢ until Feb 1979 [cover dated May 1979]. Iron Man #120 is now known as as the first part of the groundbreaking Michelinie/Layton/Romita Jr "Demon In A Bottle" story line. Arguably the most important story line in the characters history and the beginning of the now modern day Tony Stark and Iron Man. Stark went from being a typical one note generic character to one that was very human with a sickness [alcoholism] no suit of armor could remedy. As you may have guessed not for trade, as all other comic art is at best of secondary interest to me, and not for sale - at least not for any realistic amount. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Roy Johnson
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
Hmm, I knew about the love for Steel and All-Star Squadron, but not this Marvel item. Congratulations on getting this. First issue purchase, eh? Hmmm.
frank x townsondecker 
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
congratulations on getting "the one"!!!
George H
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
Major congrats on obtaining such a stunning cover!
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
Very memorable cover! Iron Man - Subby covers are rare and sweet - like the way the art extends into the corner box
Lloyd White
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
Congratulations on acquiring this stunning piece---a grail indeed!
Alex B
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
Congrats for getting your Grail ! A classic cover, an unforgettable image and the beginning of one of the best sagas in comics history !
LB Jefferies
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 11/30/2012
Great! I love it when the cover to a first ever issue is obtained. Well done.
. BRAUNY
Member Since 2007
Posted on 11/30/2012
What a fantastic cover. One of my favorites from the Romita Jr/Layton run on IM! Super congrats!
Brent Keane
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/1/2012
Kudos, it's an excellent piece from one of the latter-day greats.
matthew reed
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/1/2012
HA! just terrific. thanks for the story. it really is something special no doubt.
bob fish
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/1/2012
thank's for sharing this amazing cover...a museum cover ! congrats
Dimitrios Z
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/1/2012
Amazing Layton Cover, one of my favorites from the Iron Man run. Great find!!!
Raymond Bryan
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 12/1/2012
Thank you for sharing and I hope you will share more!! Just an amazing piece and Congrats on this!!!
Fred's CAF Gallery
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 12/1/2012
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/2/2012
Awesome cover!!!! Congrats on finding that first comic.
DW A
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/3/2012
Incredible cover, love the nostalgia behind it for you also. Thanks for sharing both the cover and this nostalgia
Daren Domina
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 12/5/2012
Man oh man! Just great!!! Congrats! Happy to hear also that it has such strong memories for you.
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/28/2013
Congrats on this outstanding cover and all your cool Iron Man art!
Jason Versaggi
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/6/2015
Wow. Classic! A Layton Iron Man cover right up there with Miller DD, Byrne FF covers in my opinion.
Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/20/2015
You weren't searching for accolades but here they come.One thing that jumps out is just how exciting it always is to see Subby stand up against ol Shell head.The oncoming battle is the stuff of legend.This issue as you stay is the jump off for Demon in the Bottle (an all time great story line).Your childhood recollections and love of the story will for now keep me from making you an offer.Finally thanks a lot as I cannot get Time Passages out of my head..great song!!!!!
Gene Park
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 9/20/2015
Awesome cover, Rick!! Great meeting you at the NJ show today.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 11/23/2015
Congratulations! The first comic I remember pulling off the spinner rack was IM 116 and it evokes the same feelings as you have described. Congrats on owning a personal grail – nice to see it home.
Xavier .
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 3/28/2016
Congrats on getting your Grail! It's a spectacular piece.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 10/18/2018
Splendid! Layton rally put this one out of the park!
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/7/2020
Great story. Textbook definition of "grail" in this hobby IMO (and the cover doesn't stink either)
Kirk Dilbeck (3-Wishes and Patron-of-art)
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/3/2022
Congrats on a cool and oh so special cover!
CJ Design
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/9/2023
A terrific Cover by Bob, but the story of buying the book is priceless...it's much how my mind works
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 2/17/2025
It is a glorious example of Bob Layton's work. Sub-Mariner is flat-out awesome! It's so exciting that it is also your grail, the very first book you ever purchased. What a wonderful story. Congratulations.
As to the sincerity of your unwillingness to sell or trade this masterpiece, who can doubt it? After all, you R Shur.
Mike (aka Off White) White
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/20/2025
Such an Iconic cover from Layton during his Iron Man run
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