Many years ago–almost half a century–Living Laser’s powers backfired and he become a literal living laser.

That was back during the Michelenie/Romita Jr./Layton run on Iron Man–truly when the character was at his best.

This story attempts to channel those days of greatness by tacking back to the Living Laser story and also by giving us a story of industrial sabotage. And also by introducing a new version of one of the “Iron Man espionage era’s” best villains: Spymaster.

He hires Ghost to steal the living light of Living Laser, which apparently was purchased by Tony Stark(!)

While the villains do their thing, Tony has hired a psychiatrist to go to the plane of light where Living Laser’s consciousness is held, and try to work with the character on how he might be able to bring himself back to corporeal form.

Tony hits on her, of course.

There are some nice twists and turns leading up to Living Laser taking on a form of solid energy.

It’s unstable, though, and Tony ends up turning him back into light and re-imprisoning him.

Spymaster and Ghost remain at large.

Good stuff! It all ends with “status quo,” but it’s a solid read–as are most Joe Casey projects. I’m assuming this book is what inspired this classic exchange…