Post by goldenfist on Nov 20, 2008 10:18:26 GMT -5
Ign.com reviews Iron Man:Director of S.H.I.E.L.D #35.
With the current issue of Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., another volume of Iron man comes to its inevitable conclusion. I'd be sad about he loss, but truthfully, I already said my goodbyes months ago. The series as it currently exists is less about telling a S.H.I.E.L.D.-centric story and more about getting readers primed and ready for the new ongoing War Machine book next month. To its credit, the current arc has managed to do just that for me, though it has often come at the expense of the here and now.
As this issue opens, Rhodey attempts to battle his way out of captivity and back into the heat of battle on Earth. Christos Gage provides fans with the best glimpse yet of Rhodey's cybernetic body, though without offering anything in the way of explanation as to why the transformation has occurred. As I said, this arc is more about drawing reader interest than providing anything in the way of payoff. He does create an interesting parallel to Iron Man in the sense that Rhodey now depends on his War Machine armor for his continued survival.
Mostly, though, this issue is an extended sequences of fight scenes and explosions. Not unlike most Secret Invasion tie-ins, that is to say. I think the core appeal of this arc boils down to whether you enjoy War Machine as a character. If you love Rhodey, you undoubtedly lament his absence in the Marvel U lately, and therefore you'll be happy enough just to watch him blow things up for 22 pages. If you don't care for him, Gage isn't necessarily going to change your mind. I just find it fortunate that this arc is only three issues long. It's great to see War Machine in action again, but I need something of far more substance to hold my interest for very long.
I can only hope Greg Pak's series will offer that substance. Gage has laid some interesting ground work for the character, so no on can complain there isn't potential for plenty of compelling stories in the coming months.
Review Score: 6.8 Passable
With the current issue of Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., another volume of Iron man comes to its inevitable conclusion. I'd be sad about he loss, but truthfully, I already said my goodbyes months ago. The series as it currently exists is less about telling a S.H.I.E.L.D.-centric story and more about getting readers primed and ready for the new ongoing War Machine book next month. To its credit, the current arc has managed to do just that for me, though it has often come at the expense of the here and now.
As this issue opens, Rhodey attempts to battle his way out of captivity and back into the heat of battle on Earth. Christos Gage provides fans with the best glimpse yet of Rhodey's cybernetic body, though without offering anything in the way of explanation as to why the transformation has occurred. As I said, this arc is more about drawing reader interest than providing anything in the way of payoff. He does create an interesting parallel to Iron Man in the sense that Rhodey now depends on his War Machine armor for his continued survival.
Mostly, though, this issue is an extended sequences of fight scenes and explosions. Not unlike most Secret Invasion tie-ins, that is to say. I think the core appeal of this arc boils down to whether you enjoy War Machine as a character. If you love Rhodey, you undoubtedly lament his absence in the Marvel U lately, and therefore you'll be happy enough just to watch him blow things up for 22 pages. If you don't care for him, Gage isn't necessarily going to change your mind. I just find it fortunate that this arc is only three issues long. It's great to see War Machine in action again, but I need something of far more substance to hold my interest for very long.
I can only hope Greg Pak's series will offer that substance. Gage has laid some interesting ground work for the character, so no on can complain there isn't potential for plenty of compelling stories in the coming months.
Review Score: 6.8 Passable