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April 18, 2005
Marvel Comics: The Invincible Iron Man #1 - 3
Iron Man's latest incarnation (volume 4 by my count) is a gorgeous piece of work. Warren Ellis (writer) and Adi Granov (artist) have created a seemingly "realistic" interpretation of Tony Stark and Co., it's almost like reading about the hero as if he doesn't also appear in other Marvel books (New Avengers, Young Avengers, etc...).
The story so far has been a great terrorist/libertarian post-Gulf War tale which has reintroduced us to both Tony Stark and the state of the current political climate. IIM is the most politically current book I've been reading lately. Tony Stark (now a victim of an accident in the first Gulf War) is dealing with guilt from his weapons designer days, a past when he was more interested in "can I do it" than "should I do it?". Now that he spends his days trying to hide the fact that he's still functioning as Iron Man he's also having to lie to friends and colleagues, and spin tales about why he needs his "favorite car" flown all over the US in a big crate. Faced with the so current "super-soldier" serum problem (steroids anyone?) he's facing off against an enemy who could be anyone, a disgruntled US citizen, hidden in plain sight (I guess concerns about undercover threats is never out of style, is it?).
On top of the sharp writing are some of the most nicely rendered images imaginable. Similar to the current Daredevil look, just not nearly as gritty, the attempt to make this book look "real" adds a lot of depth. It's so nice to look at, even when what you're looking at isn't all that nice (issue #3's battle on a highway had me actually thinking about "how many drivers got hurt!?"). Superb. And, the fact that Tony now looks a lot like Tom Cruise adds to a realistic, almost film-like quality.
Halfway through its first 6-parter, this book is off to a great start. I only hope that Ellis and Granov both stay on the team past this first six issue run.
(Highly recommended)
(review by Sean Ferrell)
Posted by sferrell at April 18, 2005 8:49 PM
