I like that Matt Fraction is heightening the realism in this series, and thus setting the stage for some more sophisticated storytelling.  In the past, the only people who worked for Stark that the reader met were his personal assistant, Pepper, and his chauffer, Happy.  In reality, a CEO like Stark would spend a lot of his time with his executive team.  In this issue, Fraction has introduced Pepper as Stark’s COO (chief operations officer), and it looks like Bambi Arbogast will be his CFO (chief financial officer).  Now we need to meet a CIO, a director of research, etc.  This will open up new opportunities for stories.  For instance, Bambi may fall into a vat of chemicals at Stark which will twist her body and soul, and turn her into Iron Man’s next worst villain.  I like that Pepper lusts for her super powers again, just like Spider-Woman did when she lost her powers.  Being superhuman seems like it would be addictive.  I’m not sure why Pepper needs a repulsor disc in her chest for her armor to work.  Rhodey’s armor works without him having such an implant, doesn’t it?  I am sure that Tony’s utopian dream of providing the world with cheap, green repulsor energy will fall flat, but his company will manage to be a success, anyway.  A Marvel universe with unlimited, green energy would just be too different from our own.  I like that a couple of women are behind Detroit Steel.  The comics world doesn’t have enough villainous women.

            Larroca’s art is excellent as usual.  I like that he makes Pepper attractive, but not a Mary Jane Watson type supermodel.