Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
community think?
Pulls
Size: pages
Price: 3.99
I imagine this will come as a surprise to many iFanboy readers, especially those of you who know that neither I, nor either of my partners actually read Invincible Iron Man on an ongoing basis. It certainly came as a surprise to me. But I've read every third or fourth issue of this run since it came out, because people were so excited about it that I wanted to know why. I didn't really dislike the title, and I could see things that I liked about it, but it didn't make me want to keep reading, for whatever reason. But regardless of what I thought, this run of Fraction's was going to be noted as a seminal run for the character. The title is especially commendable when you factor in that this is one of the only titles to start after a very successful movie, and make a comic book that's actually good, and accessible for fans of the movie.
I think I read issue #16 or 17 a while back, and noticed that it was spending a lot of time with the Iron Man family, as it were. Pepper Potts and Maria Hill were being featured as much as Tony Stark, and I liked that. When the last issue came out, I heard about the idea that Tony had lost his mind, and I started thinking that it sounded unique, and fresh. It's even more interesting when you consider that, since Civil War, there is hardly a more quintessential Marvel character who's been thrown farther off-base than he'd ever been. With Norman Osborn taking Tony's place, he was a man without a country, and Matt Fraction's challenge was to find something to do with him. So by issue #19, it seems that the choice was to shunt him to the side a bit, and play with Pepper and see what happens. This turned out to be an excellent choice. Pepper shined in this issue, stepping up to the plate as a very capable operative who we're seeing at the culmination of her skills and confidence. She was holding her own with Black Widow and Maria Hill, and even having not read what came before, I bought it. Further, I followed it. Not once during this issue did I feel lost, and while this may not be an ideal jumping on point, in the classic sense, I did it, and it worked out just fine.
I read three books, almost in a row, featuring Norman Osborn as the villain this week. He wasn't just the force in the background either. He was the guy in the Iron Man suit, in the thick of things. I've made no secret of the fact that I'm getting really tired of this. It's not that it's bad, but if you order a four course meal, and every course has the same main ingredient, and then you have that meal once a week for six months, you're going to get tired of that ingredient, no matter how well it's incorporated. All that being said, this was my favorite Osborn that I've read recently. He was crazy enough that it was believable, and he almost lost his shit in front of everyone, and most importantly, the end of the issue was the first glimpse at the light at the end of this tunnel, and I'm thrilled. There were consequences in this issue, and hopefully they'll take root in the larger Dark Reign story, and they'll follow suit. The last page of this issue made me so happy that we'd finally get this Dark Reign barge moving again! The pieces are all there, and I can't wait for them to saddle up and deal with this situation post-haste.
Salvador Larrocca provides the art for this issue. If I'm being completely honest with you, it's not my favorite, but it does do the job. It's not bad art, but there is a quality to it that I find somewhat off-putting, and it sort of reminds me of the computer generated stuff Chuck Austen did a bunch of years back. It's really a style thing, and there is something about the faces in this book I just can't quite get behind. But that being said, the layouts are very nice, and very modern. The fight between Osborn and Stark, if you can call it that, was well done. The guy knows how to put a comic book page together, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that.
What we have here is a very good single issue, taking place in the current paradigm of the Marvel Universe, which is one with a great deal of limiting factors with which to contend. With that in mind, and the fact that this is the last issue in a story arc I haven't read, I still enjoyed this more than any of the other books I read this week. I imagine for those of you who were reading it all along, the feeling is even more powerful. A stage has been set for the next act, and the first steps were taken in this book, and I feel very good about it. Bring on The Siege, get Tony's mind fixed up, give us as much Pepper as you can, and let's get this show on the road!
Josh Flanagan
The security in Avengers Tower is for shit!
josh@ifanboy.com
Find us on Facebook
Read, discuss & share comics online at Graphicly
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
Excellent pick. I’ve been on this run from issue one and it has been brilliant.
Well this is a surprise…..Seriously I had no idea you gave this series a chance.
To be honest I did flip threw this at my store today. It was quite good, at least from what I remember. Obviously I’m not going to judge or review it harshly cause I didn’t buy it. But what I do remember is that, and I agree with josh, that was the best use of Norman Osborn I have seen since Dark Reign started. He was just bat shit insane and the fact that he was willing to kill Tony even with the camera all over him was good writing. Sadly I have to read this in trade format, so I got some catching up to do.
My pick was Brave and the Bold #28 by the by. Fantastic writing and art makes me believe it’s one of the best DC books out there period. With only two issues out of this new creative team mind you.
hands down!!!!
Great pick, great review! As somebody who’s been on board with this title from Day One, I was really happy to see how perfectly this arc paid off. And it’s cool to realize how well it works as a standalone issue. I totally agree about how fantastic Pepper has been, and I was delighted by the promise of the last page. Great comic.
Ha! Lately, I try to guess who make the pick when I see it listed. This time I was thinking "Connor or Ron, definitely not Josh" Nice.
Been loving this run too.
I’m a fairly big fan of Iron Man, so I was quite impressed with this whole storyarc. Checking my POTWs, it’s been the POTW almost everytime it came out (2 exceptions) for me since the start of the year. I’ve loved it. And really, I don’t understand the dismissal of Larocca’s art. He’s revamped his style from X-Treme completely, and slowly has weaned himself of off drawing celebrity faces.
Great review.
Whoa! Outta left field!
I think I need to get this run. Sounds really good.
Anyway, the pick of the week for me (and probably for the other 6 people who read it) is Stuff of Legend #2. This is an amazing series (and it’s actually much cheaper to get the issues than the trade). It’s smart, it’s creepy, the artwork is sublime, and the Gingerbread Man fires a gun. What else do you want?
I’m really surprised by this pick. Not that I’m discrediting the series, I’m just surprised to see Josh give it a chance. I’m kind of like him in the sense that I always heard everyone talk about it, so I tried an issue here and there and just never really liked it. I’ll have to try this one out though, and the upcoming arc seems interesting enough. I’ll give it a shot next time I come across it.
Holy Hell! I thought I’d never see the day!!!
Loved this arc from begining to end, glad to see others enjoyed it as well!
@PraxJarvin My only problem with the art in this issue was the panels where I couldn’t tell Natasha and Pepper apart. Granted it’s tricky with characters who aren’t in costume, but I thought it could have been handled better.
Thinking more about the strength of this story, I really love the way this series started with Tony as the guy who thought he could handle everything himself. Gradually we’ve seen his world branching out, until this point, where he’s deliberately put himself in a position where he needs to count on others for help It’s a cool, subtle to comment on the character. The more I think about this story, the more I like it (and I already liked it a lot).
This issue was so, SO good. Every bit of it, just amazing. When the series started, I wasn’t a fan of the Larroca art, but it’s grown on me and the writing has been top-notch the entire time. *This* is what a five star issue feels like to me and, as much as I tend to love what I buy every week, the best of them usually tops out at four.
I loved the trio of Pepper, Natasha and Maria kicking ass in this title. Pepper, especially as Rescue is just…well, let’s just say if she got her own title, I would buy it. (Really too bad they couldn’t call her Iron Maiden, though.
Iron Man is my favorite super hero. Always has been, always will be. I generally don’t get my books until Thursday night, and this is the one I was most excited for. I was pretty sure none of the iFanboy team read this title, so i was shocked to see it as the pick. If somebody who doesn’t follow the book enjoyed it this much, I just know I’m going to be blown away for it. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough now!
Cool. I was planning to jump on the next arc, what with the badass cover treatments. The books being good is probably an even better reason.
I’m completely stunned and thrilled that you give this issue a shot Josh. even more surprised that you enjoyed it. Great!
Like many of the others here, I’ve been on board for the beginning of this book and so this ending was very powerful for me. It delivered everything that I wanted from an ending to, IMO, one of the best Iron Man stories out there. A defining run for both Iron Man and Matt Fraction. I try not to say stuff like that too often, so I hope that statement doesn’t sound too excessive.
The art was an issue, but LaRocca has improved quite a bit since the beginning. Like you said, he can put a scene together and tell a story. Plus his suits of armor look pretty. My POTW too, hands down. Chew #5 was a close one though, but for entirely different reasons.
Definitely my POTW! I can understand why some find Larocca’s art off putting, he has certainly had his ups and downs. However, I like it and I think the computer generated or photo style works for Ironman. Sometimes the face seem a little lifeless but it doesn’t bother me that much. I agree with @PraxJarvin about Larocca revamping his style and I think he has improved during this story arc. I agree with @josh, as far as story goes, in these later issue Pepper has stolen the show and it is believable. This is the first book that has me itching for the "SIEGE" event. This book also has my quote of the week.
"Well I don’t care how retarded you’ve gone and gotten yourself you’re not going to ruin this for me." — Norman Osborn
@ohcaroline I understand that. There were also a higher than normal level of coloring mistakes on Pepper, Maria and Natasha. In some panels everyone had red hair, in some everyone was blonde. And it’s not that Larroca is free from criticism, I just feel that dismissing it as "getting the job done" is a slight to someone who’s changed his style almost completely and who has steadily improved over his time on the book. His work on the Armors in this issue was excellent, though. He makes the Iron Patriot suit look bulky in a good way compared to the bulk Iron Man Mark 1.
Oh my god! I’m so happy this is finally a POW! I got into comics with this book and now I feel vindicated.
@PraxJarvin Well he changed his style to a style that doesn’t really appeal to me. Though you’re right that the coloring is part of the problem.
Tried reading an issue of this a while back because of Fraction and didn’t care for it. Good review but I don’t think its enough to get me back on the IM bandwagon. Still nice to heta that its going to get Dark Reign moving..hands down the most BORING saga Marvel ever had. Beyond dragging at this point..
Definitely a nice surprise for pick of the week!
A quick question, though. Is there some aversion to picking DC books as Pick of the Week? It’s been almost two months since a DC book has been the pick. As a DC fan, it kind of sucks! lol
Not this again.
Im not sure but isnt this series an Eisner winning series this year?
Interesting pick, can’t wait to hear it discussed. I’ve been meaning to read an issue of this series, so maybe I’ll give this one a try.
Reading an issue of a series casually once every few months–that’s a nice place to be in. I used to do that all the time in the ’90s with a lot of different series: read an issue or two of a series, jump off, then read another issue whenever that month’s cover looked good. For some reason it seems like people don’t do that much anymore. Maybe it’s the higher price point or the six-issue arc routine, but it’s rare to hear people say that they just read a series sporadically. There’s this mentality that "You’re either in" (meaning you resolve to buy a series every month, or you buy a whole trade of it) "or you’re OUT" (meaning you don’t have anything to do with the series at all ever).
@smeeeeee: "Best New Series"
I was hoping Josh was gonna pick ‘Brave and the Bold’.
Only because he randomly picked up an issue just like this. Plus he gave it a high score as well.
Still I’m fine with the pick, it’s just a thought and I am not complaining.
Hey Conor, do you remember back in July and August when we hated Marvel? Fun times.
iFanboy is totally biased. When was the last time they had a Th3rd World Studios book as Pick of the Week. NEVER!
Undisputable proof.
Also Josh is really Matt Fraction’s alter ego. Even his marriage is a lie and his kid? A fabrication.
Conor was obviously planted into the group by DC comics. He tries to give them as many Pick of the Weeks as he can without the other two noticing.
Ron is actually the real life Scott Summers. The insecurities, quirky taste, ridiculous work ethic, and secret homosexual tension with Wolverine is all there.
Only Paul is normal. Eventually he’ll figure it all out. Let’s just hope that nasty Dark Horse company hasn’t claimed him yet.
Jim, Mike, and Sonia? Just eye candy to distract you from the conspiracy that is iFanboy.
He shoots, he scores. I’ve been blowing the horn for this book a while now. Glad to see Josh move past his skepticism to give credit where credit is due.
Haven’t picked up a new Iron Man title in over three years (still haven’t read them), so I wouldn’t know what it is like. But, I’ve begun giving Marvel a chance, so what the heck, it could be just the thing to get me pumped.
I have been hearing nothing but good things about this series and i intend to start picking it up starting next issue and get the trades if I have the coin. Also, Fraction is slowly becoming one of my favorite writers. and I cant wait to see what he does in the future
Ifanboy Fun Fact:
This is only the 4th pick to have Matt Fraction as writer, as well as an Iron Man book has been picked. Also, this is the first pick to have Salvador Larocca as artist.
I think the best thing about this series is how accessable each issue of all the arcs are. Here we are, with a 12-part mega storyline, yet anyone is able to pick it up and start reading from wherever they want and not be completely lost. I started in the 4th issue of this arc, and never felt that I was missing anything. It takes a strong comic writer to pull off making every single issue of an expansive storyline interesting and important on their own.
This gets double the points too since its taking place right in the middle of Marvel continuity and never feels confusing or forces you to reaserch previous plot points on Wikipedia. To tell a great self contained story thats essential to continuity is certainly a great feat.
Come on, Josh, it’s been a pretty positive response. you can’t really be upset with today. If you like i’ll make fun of your pick next month.
It’s surprizing to see the amount of favourable comments to this book. I’m very curious to read this
Up there, that comment: joke.
Way too early in my stack to make the call, but I did read this issue today, and I loved it. Like @ohcaroline, I’ve been championing this one for awhile, so I’m glad to see it getting some (more) attention (yes, I know… Eisner…but still — I mean here in my favorite community
).
What I really enjoy about this is that Fraction’s kind of let go of the "write for the trade" mentality in the sense that he’s not afraid to write a longform serial. This has been a huge arc, but it’s been very entertaining as read in individual issue form. It’s exactly the kind of thing I want to read in a monthly format.
Shocking pick. Glad you liked it, haven’t read my copy yet but my view of this gigantic arc is kinda similar to yours.
I just got off his Uncanny X-Men & replaced it w/ FF. I will wait for the trade on Fracton’s Iron Man.
Matthew
I was going to pick Chew but the last scene in this sold it for me.
I’ve been complaining about how underwhelming this book is and how I don’t know why I haven’t dropped it yet for months now.
And this was my pick
Although, if that whole thing with Tony doesn’t last for more than the next arc, I’m going to be pissed. Such an interesting status quo. Look how long Captain America went with no Cap, so it can be done.
I didn’t read this, so I may have to take a peek at it. I’m really surprised if I had to select ten books that Josh might have picked I don’t think this would have been it. Debating waiting for trade or just grabbing this one.
I’m proud of you, Josh. I just teared up a little bit.
Fraction’s run on this book has been, to me, the best thing to come of Dark Reign. I can’t wait for Dark Reign to be over– but I love what Fraction has done with this book, particularly since Dark Reign began. The rehabilitation here of Tony Stark has been a great capstone to the years-long story of Tony’s Rise and Fall and now, hopefully, Rise again as a hero everyone can can all get behind.
Bravo, Fraction– and Bravo, Josh.
Cannot wait for this book. It’s been a long yet extremely compelling storyline and I think it’ll read great as a single trade. Fraction took the Dark Reign ball and really ran with it, using it perfectly to fit his story. I’m surprised he was given the freedom to let this spin out as naturally as it has, without rushing things, and credit should go to editorial for that. Also, he made me learn to love Tony Stark again, sniff…
Clearly you guys hate Bongo Comics. You never pick them for POTW. It couldn’t possibly be that they don’t write stories that match your tastes. That cannot possibly be the reason you don’t pick them. Clearly you are massively biased against them and therefore do everything in your power to keep them down (since you are THE MAN now).
Sincerely,
Irrationally Angry Guy Who Doesn’t Know How to Just Enjoy His Books Without Having Someone Else Tell Him How Good They Are
P.S. You also appear to have an irrational aversion to Prose Novels as they have never been your pick of the week (not even once, I checked). Dan Brown’s stuff is excellent. It deserves to be the pick. 200,000,000 fans can’t be wrong (can they?).
Insert condescending, sarcastic joke here ___________________________________________.
@daccampo: I agree that this is a great title read in single issues. (Almost as good as Jonah Hex). This book is easy accessible to new readers, exist in current continuity, and is great to collect and read an issue at a time. Fraction is doing a great job.
I wanted to mention that I think one of the reasons this book reads well in single issues is the b readable, efficient recap pages. I have no idea if most people who pick the comic up look at those or not; most of the time I dont’, but I’ve found them useful in this arc. As good as Fraction’s writing of this title has been, it’s also worth mentioning that editorial decisions seem to be be helping the story — from something as simple as the recap page, to just the fact that the writer’s been given this much freedom to tell a long story with a major character and basically keep him away from other books. I mention this because a lot us (myself included) tend to bitch about editorial when we perceive them screwing stuff up, but not give the credit where it’s due. And I definitely think it is here. Warren Simons and whoever else is involved with this book have done a commendable job.
Been reading it since issue 1, also my PotW. I too was surprised since I thought none of the iFanboys were reading it.
The only problem I had with the art were the faces. Everyone looks the same. Bodies, armor, all that was good. Faces sucked and took me out of the story over and over.
The following is a stupid question by a guy who has not picked up an Iron Man comic in well over 20 years:
When I read this as a young’in, Tony was not in the suit- it was a black dude, I think he was a friend of Tony’s. Who was he, and how long was he Iron Man? Just curious. Snicker away…
That would be Jim Rhodes, his best friend (though, oddly enough, never his closest confidant). He was Iron Man for…several issues the first time (before the 200′s) and several more issues later on (starting around 284 and ending a bit before 300). Later still, he got into an ensemble book called The Crew (which lasted 7 issues before being cancelled) and was unarmored/unpowered in that. Wikipedia and Marvel.com can probably get you more details.
He’s got his own book, now (as he once did in the early 1990′s), called War Machine (again).
Jim Rhodes was Iron Man for several years, I think, though I don’t know dates or runs. After Tony went back to being Iron Man, he become War Machine.
He stars in the War Machine solo book now, and has appeared in a few issues of this ‘Invincible Iron Man’ run as well.
Thanks! Anyone read War Machine?
I do believe that Prax and I discussed this book a ways back at the #200 live show recording. I think at the time we felt this book was one erroneously overlooked by the iFanstaff. I am very glad to see that its finally getting its due, though unfortunately on the last issue of a great arc.
@HailScott, OhCaroline, et al Rhodey took over for Tony in Iron Man (vol. 1) #170-200. it’s quite a good run and probably one of my favorites. it lasted for just shy of 3 years. (83-86). it was written by Denny O’Neill. What’s curious is that Green Lantern would do almost the exact same thing in 84-86 starting with GL #179 and going through COIE and ending with GL #200, where John Stewart took over for Hal Jordan. That one was written by Len Wein. It was also one of the seminal GL storylines and also one of the best stories of the classic run.
@ato220 INdeed we did! I believe even shouted it out at one point during the show. And I totally agree, this is awesome for people to be getting interested in a book in its prime.
@PraxJarvin: So your saying that DC stole the idea? I believe that’s what I read there.
This was a GREAT issue! I was riveted for every page. Easily my POTW. A great finish to a great arc. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
An eyebrow or two was raised when I saw this was the pick, but in a good way. I had no idea any of you guys were reading this book. I’ve given it a chance, but didn’t really like it. I am, however, glad to see it picked because I know the fans of the book like to see it get some love.
Because of a crappy long week, I’ve only read a few of my books. My pick, so far, is nothing…
REALLY loved this issue. Every other storyline in Marvel DR right now is just dragging… This is hands down my favorite serious going on right now and this issue was a perfect culmination. I can not WAIT to see what happens next!!
IT’S ABOUT TIME THIS BOOK GOT SOME CRED. This has been a great arc and I’m happy to see a storyline that can be as in depth as the Demon in a Bottle and Armor Wars storylines were. Looking forward to Siege to see how Cap and Shellhead reunite.
It did win an Eisner…
A comic doesn’t go far enough until it gets praised by ifanboy.com
@josh: Seriously, how many nerds care about Eisners?
@JJ: He’s just saying, its not like its the most underrated book in the world.
Who *else* would care about Eisners?
I think the casting folks on Iron Man 2 have the same mentality as HailScott in so far as Jim "black dude" Rhodes.
(I’m kidding, HailScott, I am not accusing you of what conservatives have deemed the new worst thing you can call a person. My slight is aimed more at the "Fuck it, let’s recast the character for no discernable reason" casting director of them movie.)
I haven’t read War Machine, but I heard good things from AroundComics a while back.
Finally was able to finish my books from this week. I thought, overall, it was a really strong week. I loved Blackest Night: Superman, Chew, and Supergirl, but my POW has to be Sugarshock. Not having been exposed to this characters or these stories, I was so surprised at how original and funny it was. And Fabian Moon’s art was sensational.
@captbastrd To slightly go off topic, they didn’t recast the role for "no discernible reason." Howard was the first person they got to sign to the film, and since on one else was signed, he asked for more money as a "guarantee." He ended up having the highest pay check on the set. So when it came time for IM2 casting, he played hardball to try and get more (when they were giving RDjr and Paltrow alot more than the first movie) and he lost. The studio didn’t think his amount of screen time warranted the fat paycheck and so they decided it was easy enough to replace. Because Iron Man was such a hit, many actors would be clamoring or a spot in the film, so they could easily replace him with a quality actor (and IMHO a better actor) for less than what they paid Howard. As it stands, I’m a big Rhodey fan, so I’m just happy he has a meaningful role at all.
Touche, Jarvin… touche.
I picked this up because of iFanboy – wow! What a fun ride. I laughed out loud at Osborne’s question to the Dr. at the end.
Who knew the Eisner Award’s were so ahead of the curve?
Loved this book if not only fo the fact that it is a sign that we are wrapping up dark reign.
Also, loved Chew but the last page in IM blew me away. I had to give it to this. I have been reading this since issue 5 or 6 and it’s always one of my favorite books. Well done Fraction!
I can’t lie. I’m glad I picked this up. I hate Osborn and the thought of him losing to a lobotomized Tony and friends just tickles me. A political tyrant getting his just desserts is a very visceral button to push among comic readers in my community and so I hope to never tire of Osborn’s failings.
@Josh: The Eisner comitee and industry folks?
ALl right. Now he’s just messing with us.
It’s ANYTHING but a "Blackest Night" title at this point.
Prediction: At some point we will even see a licensed title like GI Joe get a POTW ove…., wait… that already happened. OK… I predict that a STAR TREK book will get POTW over any Blackest Night book at one point this run. At which point, it will be stated "I actually read every sixth or seventh ‘Trek book, and have quite liked it!"
Why do you hate Baby Seals, and Polar Bears?
I heard Clint Barton was in purple garb in Mighty Avengers this week. So just a hint of a Hawkeye return in a medicore Avengers comic? That should’ve been pick of the week for sure!!
@Unboob John Byrne’s STAR TREK work has flirted with being my personnel pick of the week quite a few times in recent weeks. Including weeks with Blackest Night books.
Fantastic ending to this story. Tony really is the Engineer of the Marvel U.