Post by goldenfist on May 8, 2008 7:55:25 GMT -5
Read what Ign.com thought about Invincible Iron Man #1.
When Marvel unveiled the full scope of their summer Iron Man onslaught, I blanched a little. Who do they actually expect to read all these books? The announcement of The Invincible Iron Man left me the most conflicted. I love Matt Fraction's writing as the next guy, but does the world really need a second ongoing Iron Man book? Shellhead already appears in 3 out of every four Marvel books each month. Plus he's got a very entertaining series of his own already.
I suppose Marvel wanted an Iron Man series that people would actually read, though. I have little doubt that Invincible Iron Man #1 will pull in plenty of new readers. It should have no trouble retaining them either. Once again Fraction proves himself more than capable of handling whatever projects Marvel throws his way.
This issue succeeds in setting itself apart by focusing on the qualities of Tony Stark we rarely see anymore. The modern Tony is an authoritarian figure with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Fraction brings back Tony's more lighthearted qualities. He attends swanky parties and beds beautiful women. He flies around saving lives and acting like an old-fashioned superhero. Tony Still bears the weight of the world, but he's perhaps a more well-rounded figure than we're used to seeing.
However, the focus of this issue in many ways is young Ezekiel Stane, son of Obadiah and the latest threat to the Stark empire. It's easy to forget than Tony, no matter how much of a futurist he claims to be, is really an old fogey in the Marvel U. Stane represents a new type of sinister genius that Tony can barely wrap his head around. After one simple boardroom meeting Fraction makes it quite clear how big a threat Tony is facing. Stane is evil in a very fun sort of way, though he needs a good deal more fleshing out before he can take his place in the pantheon of great Iron Man villains.
All in all, I can find almost nothing to complain about as far as the writing goes. The compelling post-modern feel of Ultimate Iron Man is present here, only applied to much more familiar and likable version of the character. Fraction understands Tony very well, and my concerns over the existence of two Iron Man books have already been quieted. It's unfortunate, then, that the art doesn't quite live up to the writing. Salvador Larroca constantly seems to be on the cusp of real greatness, but his faces continue to be problematic. His Tony Stark only bears a passing resemblance to the real character. When Tony suits up the unnatural tone of the book immediately melts away. That rarely happens, though. Perhaps it's too early to call for a change in artists, but I'm going to do it anyway. I sense the beginnings of a truly classic Iron Man saga, and I'd hate for the visuals to hold it back.
Review Score: 9.0 Outstanding
Here what another reviewer thought about Invincible Iron Man #1.
Last week's The Order #10 saw one Matt Fraction vehicle snuffed out, and this week sees another one rise from its ashes with Invincible Iron Man, a second monthly Iron Man book not-coincidentally scheduled with a street date within days of the highly successful release of the character's motion picture. Contextually, those two -- The Order and the Iron Man film -- are crucial to getting the most out of Invincible. Don't get me wrong, the book is a solid effort on its own terms with many redeeming qualities, but a heightened understanding of the inspiration rockets the title to heights higher than it might've otherwise enjoyed.
For all intents and purposes, Invincible Iron Man #1 seems to be the seminal Tony Stark issue. Nearly every facet of his life, from women to booze to technology to S.H.I.E.L.D., is given proper and loving attention, and each is handled masterfully. I mentioned to Iron Man movie because this issue seems to pay homage to that interpretation of the character. This Tony Stark seems like a reasonable evolution of that, in a move that I'm sure was orchestrated to nab movie-goers interested in the character. It's a smart move and the issue reads wonderfully. I won't go on about Matt Fraction's talents because it's been done ad nauseam in countless IGN reviews already (many by me), but I'll just say that Fraction once again proves his superhero creative mettle.
And in a couple ways, his ill-fated series The Order served as a pseudo-prequel to this volume of the Shellhead's mythos. For one, it carries on the idea of Pepper Potts as Marvel's answer to Barbara Gordon's Oracle. Pepper grew considerably in the pages of The Order and it's nice to see that reflected here. But more importantly, the Initiative's California team passed along its arch-nemesis Ezekiel Stane as Tony Stark's baddie this time around, and I must say Zeke's appearance here does a lot to endear him as a viable character. Yes, he's a psychopath, but he's also sort of cool and quirky and comical. Essentially, Matt Fraction's pitch for Zeke probably sounded a lot like the original concept for Amadeus Cho, except this was the idea done right.
Speaking of things rendered irrelevant, I know I can't be the only one who questioned the launch of a second Iron Man monthly. The first, Iron Man: Director Of S.H.I.E.L.D. was never a perennial top-seller and, though its received its share of praise, it's not exactly a title that's been setting the comic world abuzz with its developments. The idea that Director would cover more political fronts while Invincible was a superheroic venture sort of made some sense, but unfortunately (for the Knaufs & Co.) Invincible Iron Man #1 went ahead and blew that to hell by being, as I said before, the seminal Iron Man book in the 2008 Marvel Universe climate. If this trend of quality and overall examination of all aspects of Tony Stark continues, I don't really see the need for Director at all.
Invincible Iron Man is everything an Iron Man book should be. It's got a large-scale, widescreen feel to it and cribs from exactly the right sources. Accessible to new readers but rewarding to longtime fans, it's a very promising beginning to what will undoubtedly be a successful run.
Review Score: 9.1 Outstanding
When Marvel unveiled the full scope of their summer Iron Man onslaught, I blanched a little. Who do they actually expect to read all these books? The announcement of The Invincible Iron Man left me the most conflicted. I love Matt Fraction's writing as the next guy, but does the world really need a second ongoing Iron Man book? Shellhead already appears in 3 out of every four Marvel books each month. Plus he's got a very entertaining series of his own already.
I suppose Marvel wanted an Iron Man series that people would actually read, though. I have little doubt that Invincible Iron Man #1 will pull in plenty of new readers. It should have no trouble retaining them either. Once again Fraction proves himself more than capable of handling whatever projects Marvel throws his way.
This issue succeeds in setting itself apart by focusing on the qualities of Tony Stark we rarely see anymore. The modern Tony is an authoritarian figure with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Fraction brings back Tony's more lighthearted qualities. He attends swanky parties and beds beautiful women. He flies around saving lives and acting like an old-fashioned superhero. Tony Still bears the weight of the world, but he's perhaps a more well-rounded figure than we're used to seeing.
However, the focus of this issue in many ways is young Ezekiel Stane, son of Obadiah and the latest threat to the Stark empire. It's easy to forget than Tony, no matter how much of a futurist he claims to be, is really an old fogey in the Marvel U. Stane represents a new type of sinister genius that Tony can barely wrap his head around. After one simple boardroom meeting Fraction makes it quite clear how big a threat Tony is facing. Stane is evil in a very fun sort of way, though he needs a good deal more fleshing out before he can take his place in the pantheon of great Iron Man villains.
All in all, I can find almost nothing to complain about as far as the writing goes. The compelling post-modern feel of Ultimate Iron Man is present here, only applied to much more familiar and likable version of the character. Fraction understands Tony very well, and my concerns over the existence of two Iron Man books have already been quieted. It's unfortunate, then, that the art doesn't quite live up to the writing. Salvador Larroca constantly seems to be on the cusp of real greatness, but his faces continue to be problematic. His Tony Stark only bears a passing resemblance to the real character. When Tony suits up the unnatural tone of the book immediately melts away. That rarely happens, though. Perhaps it's too early to call for a change in artists, but I'm going to do it anyway. I sense the beginnings of a truly classic Iron Man saga, and I'd hate for the visuals to hold it back.
Review Score: 9.0 Outstanding
Here what another reviewer thought about Invincible Iron Man #1.
Last week's The Order #10 saw one Matt Fraction vehicle snuffed out, and this week sees another one rise from its ashes with Invincible Iron Man, a second monthly Iron Man book not-coincidentally scheduled with a street date within days of the highly successful release of the character's motion picture. Contextually, those two -- The Order and the Iron Man film -- are crucial to getting the most out of Invincible. Don't get me wrong, the book is a solid effort on its own terms with many redeeming qualities, but a heightened understanding of the inspiration rockets the title to heights higher than it might've otherwise enjoyed.
For all intents and purposes, Invincible Iron Man #1 seems to be the seminal Tony Stark issue. Nearly every facet of his life, from women to booze to technology to S.H.I.E.L.D., is given proper and loving attention, and each is handled masterfully. I mentioned to Iron Man movie because this issue seems to pay homage to that interpretation of the character. This Tony Stark seems like a reasonable evolution of that, in a move that I'm sure was orchestrated to nab movie-goers interested in the character. It's a smart move and the issue reads wonderfully. I won't go on about Matt Fraction's talents because it's been done ad nauseam in countless IGN reviews already (many by me), but I'll just say that Fraction once again proves his superhero creative mettle.
And in a couple ways, his ill-fated series The Order served as a pseudo-prequel to this volume of the Shellhead's mythos. For one, it carries on the idea of Pepper Potts as Marvel's answer to Barbara Gordon's Oracle. Pepper grew considerably in the pages of The Order and it's nice to see that reflected here. But more importantly, the Initiative's California team passed along its arch-nemesis Ezekiel Stane as Tony Stark's baddie this time around, and I must say Zeke's appearance here does a lot to endear him as a viable character. Yes, he's a psychopath, but he's also sort of cool and quirky and comical. Essentially, Matt Fraction's pitch for Zeke probably sounded a lot like the original concept for Amadeus Cho, except this was the idea done right.
Speaking of things rendered irrelevant, I know I can't be the only one who questioned the launch of a second Iron Man monthly. The first, Iron Man: Director Of S.H.I.E.L.D. was never a perennial top-seller and, though its received its share of praise, it's not exactly a title that's been setting the comic world abuzz with its developments. The idea that Director would cover more political fronts while Invincible was a superheroic venture sort of made some sense, but unfortunately (for the Knaufs & Co.) Invincible Iron Man #1 went ahead and blew that to hell by being, as I said before, the seminal Iron Man book in the 2008 Marvel Universe climate. If this trend of quality and overall examination of all aspects of Tony Stark continues, I don't really see the need for Director at all.
Invincible Iron Man is everything an Iron Man book should be. It's got a large-scale, widescreen feel to it and cribs from exactly the right sources. Accessible to new readers but rewarding to longtime fans, it's a very promising beginning to what will undoubtedly be a successful run.
Review Score: 9.1 Outstanding