Post by goldenfist on Nov 6, 2008 10:24:06 GMT -5
Here's a review of Invincible Iron Man #7 from Ign.com
To some, the cameo of Spider-Man in Invincible Iron Man #7 might've seemed like either another superficial attempt to snag more readers by featuring a big character, or else an editorial attempt to further integrate the "Brand New Day" Web-Head into the mainstream Marvel Universe. But those of us who had the pleasure of reading Fraction and Larroca's immaculate Sensational Spider-Man Annual from last year were all but salivating at the prospect of the team getting their hands back on Spidey, and true to form, the results should please anybody who's a fan of superhero comics.
Issue #7 of Invincible Iron Man acts mostly as an epilogue to the book's debut arc "Five Nightmares," and like the Sensational Annual issue, it's relatively light on fighting and explosions and heavy on character interaction. Large-scale destruction is such a comic book standby that readers rarely ever think twice about it, but Fraction makes sure that Tony Stark pays respect to the workers' lives lost in the tragedy. This issue sees Tony setting out to tie up the loose ends from Ezekiel Stane's reign of terror. In his usual annoying (and endearing) way, Spider-Man tags along for the ride.
Much of the issue is an odd-couple pairing with some downright exquisite characterization from Fraction. "Whose Side Are You On?" is virtually an ancient relic in the comic world by now, but considering both characters fall on opposite sides of the Initiative divide, Fraction handles them both with respect. It's a tactic that is too often misused when dealing with the topic. There's an effective scene early on that demonstrates, more or less, the current opinion that the Marvel citizens (and ostensibly, comic book fans) hold of Tony Stark, and it's clear Fraction is working against that while still being mindful of its existence.
On that note, Invincible #7 is one of those issues that's just peppered with great moments. I actually laughed out loud at the Big Wheel's reaction to Spidey's arrival at his home, and the final page managed to give me the chills. It's been a long, long time since I could honestly say either of those things about a comic book, and I feel like it does more to state the issue's complete and total success than anything else I could say about it.
As part of the Amazing Spider-Man art stable, Salvador Larroca is no stranger to Spidey, and his expertise with the character's fluid movements and mannerisms is on full display this issue. One of the things I've admired most about Larroca's work on Invincible is his landscape work, and Fraction's script for the issue provides him with plenty of locales to play with, from the rubble of Stark Enterprises to the New Jersey suburbs to a Long Island mansion. Some characters' faces are a bit rough around the edges, and the coloring is a bit bizarre, but it doesn't distract noticeably from the experience and the action is rendered cleanly and crisply.
Now, when it comes to Spider-Man in the current Marvel climate, there's a ton of bureaucratic red tape to wade through. Post-"One More Day," how did the Stark/Peter Civil War stuff happen? Does Tony know Peter's civilian identity anymore? How is Spider-Man, positioned in "Brand New Day" as public enemy number one and very visible Initiative dodger, not arrested on the spot when he shows up on Stark Industries premises? The easy answer is, it doesn't matter. Forget all the white noise, and read the issue.
Iron Man fans, Spider-Man fans, Marvel Universe fans - I really can't think of many demographics to which I wouldn't give an unqualified recommendation. Invincible Iron Man #7 is one of the better books I've read in the past few months, maybe all year. It very well could be the best $3 you spend this week, plain and simple.
Review Score: 9.0 Outstanding
To some, the cameo of Spider-Man in Invincible Iron Man #7 might've seemed like either another superficial attempt to snag more readers by featuring a big character, or else an editorial attempt to further integrate the "Brand New Day" Web-Head into the mainstream Marvel Universe. But those of us who had the pleasure of reading Fraction and Larroca's immaculate Sensational Spider-Man Annual from last year were all but salivating at the prospect of the team getting their hands back on Spidey, and true to form, the results should please anybody who's a fan of superhero comics.
Issue #7 of Invincible Iron Man acts mostly as an epilogue to the book's debut arc "Five Nightmares," and like the Sensational Annual issue, it's relatively light on fighting and explosions and heavy on character interaction. Large-scale destruction is such a comic book standby that readers rarely ever think twice about it, but Fraction makes sure that Tony Stark pays respect to the workers' lives lost in the tragedy. This issue sees Tony setting out to tie up the loose ends from Ezekiel Stane's reign of terror. In his usual annoying (and endearing) way, Spider-Man tags along for the ride.
Much of the issue is an odd-couple pairing with some downright exquisite characterization from Fraction. "Whose Side Are You On?" is virtually an ancient relic in the comic world by now, but considering both characters fall on opposite sides of the Initiative divide, Fraction handles them both with respect. It's a tactic that is too often misused when dealing with the topic. There's an effective scene early on that demonstrates, more or less, the current opinion that the Marvel citizens (and ostensibly, comic book fans) hold of Tony Stark, and it's clear Fraction is working against that while still being mindful of its existence.
On that note, Invincible #7 is one of those issues that's just peppered with great moments. I actually laughed out loud at the Big Wheel's reaction to Spidey's arrival at his home, and the final page managed to give me the chills. It's been a long, long time since I could honestly say either of those things about a comic book, and I feel like it does more to state the issue's complete and total success than anything else I could say about it.
As part of the Amazing Spider-Man art stable, Salvador Larroca is no stranger to Spidey, and his expertise with the character's fluid movements and mannerisms is on full display this issue. One of the things I've admired most about Larroca's work on Invincible is his landscape work, and Fraction's script for the issue provides him with plenty of locales to play with, from the rubble of Stark Enterprises to the New Jersey suburbs to a Long Island mansion. Some characters' faces are a bit rough around the edges, and the coloring is a bit bizarre, but it doesn't distract noticeably from the experience and the action is rendered cleanly and crisply.
Now, when it comes to Spider-Man in the current Marvel climate, there's a ton of bureaucratic red tape to wade through. Post-"One More Day," how did the Stark/Peter Civil War stuff happen? Does Tony know Peter's civilian identity anymore? How is Spider-Man, positioned in "Brand New Day" as public enemy number one and very visible Initiative dodger, not arrested on the spot when he shows up on Stark Industries premises? The easy answer is, it doesn't matter. Forget all the white noise, and read the issue.
Iron Man fans, Spider-Man fans, Marvel Universe fans - I really can't think of many demographics to which I wouldn't give an unqualified recommendation. Invincible Iron Man #7 is one of the better books I've read in the past few months, maybe all year. It very well could be the best $3 you spend this week, plain and simple.
Review Score: 9.0 Outstanding