Writer – Tom DeFalco
Artist – Steve Ditko
Inker – Steve Ditko
Colours – D.R. Martin
Letters – Rick Parker

This issue sees a change of writer once again with Tom DeFalco coming on board.  The book also features another science experiment gone wrong and a woman transformed into an energy creature.  Machine Man takes care of it in the end, but not before going through some troubles of his own leading up to the loss of his reflexes and relying on the kindness of strangers.  It was a fairly decent story; with DeFalco ramping up the action quotient and having X-51 use his abilities in some new and inventive ways.  Ditko’s art seems a bit tighter this issue as well which is a good thing, but not having any real villains to face is still one item which is sorely lacking from the book.  Senator Brickman is fine as a nemesis and all, but he is more like a J. Jonah Jameson than a Doctor Doom or an Electro.  Also good to see the Fantastic Four guest star in the book, as it added some extra dynamic.

3.5 out of 5