THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN
Rock bottom
RELEASED OUT NOW! Publisher Marvel Comics Writer Gerry Duggan Artist Juan Frigeri
ISSUES 1-4 It’s relaunch time for Tony Stark, and Marvel are looking to the upcoming 60th anniversary of Iron Man’s first appearance by putting the character through the wringer, while also embracing his complex and varied past.
The main concept here is similar to Iron Man 3, forcing Tony to go back to basics as various life issues finally catch up with him, leaving him almost penniless. To add to his troubles, there’s also a mystery villain after both him and his closest allies, and they’ve got the ownership of Tony’s old company – and all his dangerous tech – in their sights…
Writer Gerry Duggan intersperses this intrigue with the narrative concept of Tony trying to write his autobiography, which gives a fun spin to the story’s narration. It also means plenty of flashbacks to Tony’s past, showcasing different eras of Iron Man’s history (along with a few unwise Tony Stark hairstyles).
These first four issues feature some well-executed action sequences, and also show that Duggan has a good handle on the character. True, the portrayal here owes a king-sized debt to Robert Downey Jr, but Duggan does also find some new wrinkles to explore in Tony’s psychology.
Unfortunately, the storytelling itself never quite catches fire, with the plot stuck way too long in set-up mode, while Juan Frigeri’s art is muscular and eye-catching but lacks any truly iconic, breathtaking moments.
Duggan’s approach may eventually pay off, but so far this is a decently average superhero adventure that hasn’t yet shifted into being truly essential.
Saxon Bullock
One of Duggan’s biggest influences on his new Iron Man run is Frank Miller’s classic 1986 Daredevil story “Born Again”.