Iron Man #120

Iron Man #120, published by Marvel Comics in March 1979, was a pivotal entry during the long-running creative tenure of writer David Michelinie and artist John Romita Jr. This issue serves as the conclusion to the 'Demon in a Bottle' story arc, a seminal narrative in comic history that explored Tony Stark's struggle with alcoholism. The creative team moved away from traditional supervillain conflicts to focus on internal character development, marking a significant shift in how superhero vulnerabilities were depicted during the Bronze Age of comics.

The cover art, executed by Bob Layton, captures the somber tone of the narrative, distancing the character from the typical action-oriented aesthetic of the era. The issue is widely regarded by historians for its mature thematic approach, which solidified the series' reputation for psychological depth. While the story was initially considered a risky departure by editorial staff, it received substantial critical acclaim and established the blueprint for Stark’s ongoing battle with addiction throughout later decades.