Iron Man 3 – Movie Review

By: Too many to list—you’d best IMDB it.

The Story: Everyone should have an Iron Man suit for every occasion.

The Review: You know, if it weren’t for this WCBR gig, I probably would’ve waited a month or so to see Iron Man 3 at the dollar theater.  The ticket prices, even at the tepid student discount, are just getting out of control these days.  When the cashier told me how much it would cost for two tickets, I said, “No, no—I don’t want 3D or anything.  Just the regular screening will be fine.”  When he told that was the regular price, I almost left there and then, laughing hollowly.

At any rate, I’m glad I did see the movie after all, even at an exorbitant price, because it was pretty much everything you’d want from an Iron Man movie.  Maybe a bit too much of everything, in fact.  Clocking in at two hours and twenty minutes, or just a few minutes short of The Avengers, there are a few instances where the movie ever so slightly drags and you get a little impatient for it to just get to the point already.

Ultimate Comics Iron Man #2 Review

By: Nathan Edmondson (Writer), Matteo Buffagni (Artist), Andy Troy (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer)

The Review: I get the impression that the Ultimate Comics editorial team is fairly flexible with their corner of canon, happy to let new creators come on board and add to their characters’ mythologies with a decent degree of autonomy. If they hit Gold the plot can perhaps be worked into the relevant ongoing title and if it’s bad it can always be glossed over – anything in the middle is just a neat story, a satisfying extension of the universe. In the case of Ultimate Comics Iron Man I’ve little doubt that this will turn out to be an enjoyable standalone tale, but I also have modest hopes that it could be something more. Edmondson seems to be aiming high, attempting to expand upon the hero’s more permanent roster of confidants and rogues, and to delve into some of the more divisive moments in the character’s formative years. Not a bad idea at all, especially considering that Tony Stark is perhaps one of the more overlooked characters in the Ultimate line.

After surviving the Mandarin’s tech-orientated attack on his company and armour last month, this issue picks up with Tony taking stock of the fallout and setting out a plan to get to the bottom of who or what exactly the Mandarin is. He’s soon joined by the President’s Chief of Staff, Carol Danvers, who’s keen to do the same, even if she has to dodge some of that famous Stark ‘charm’ to do so – Tony’s all over her like an Extremis cocoon but is swiftly put in his place. A little bit of probing and discussion prompts a quick trip across the Pacific to Hong Kong and the source of the cyber-attack, an investigation that goes awry with the interjection of yet more troublesome attack drones and a further breach of Tony’s now drastically compromised armour.

Invincible Iron Man #524 – Review

By: Matt Fraction (writer), Salvador Larroca (art), Frank D’Armata (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story:  Tony rallies his very scant troops against the Mandarin, JARVIS goes nuts, and just where exactly is Justine Hammer?

The Review:  Fraction and Larroca’s Invincible Iron Man continues to rocket to it’s conclusion and I continue to enjoy the ride quite a bit.

Without a doubt, the Stark/Stane relationship has really begun to live up to its potential.  I love the dynamic of camaraderie between these two former bitter enemies and rivals.  It’s absolutely brilliant stuff by Fraction, as Stane essentially takes Tony back to working as he did in his youth, under the gun and in less than ideal circumstances.  There’s a fantastic scene in which Stane helps Stark get in touch with the rawer side of his art, the side that recalls his days working in caves to survive.  It’s also a sort of “welcome to my world” moment by Stane, showing Stark what it is to work outside the lab in the gritty, DIY fashion that he may have lost touch with.  It’s a great moment and a highlight of the issue.

The Invincible Iron Man #522 – Review

by Matt Fraction (writer), Salvador Larroca (art), Frank D’Armata (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story:  Mandarin sends out the goons to collect Tony’s parts; Tony performs surgery on Stane; Iron Man vs. Detroit Steel Corps vs. Iron Man rogues in a triple threat mech battle.

The Review:  In dealing with this new status quo he’s set up for his cast, Matt Fraction puts a lot on our plates here and, hence, a lot to love.

A fair chunk of the issue is spent in a wild mech battle between Rhodey, Hammer, and Mandarin’s goons.  Larroca’s mechs look great, as always, and the action is solid.  What makes the scene really shine, however, is the continuing dynamic between Pepper and the disguised Rhodey.  It’s a lot of fun and the dialogue is a nice little wink-and-nudge game with the reader.  The battle itself was also interesting in that, unbeknownst to them, Rhodey and Pepper are in many ways working against Tony in preventing the goons from getting the materials he needs to complete the titanomech.  It’s nice, subtle layer to Tony’s working for the bad guys.

Fraction also puts his own twist on Mandarin’s origins this month, delving a bit into the nature of the rings.  It ends up being a pretty cool idea; it’s definitely too early to judge, but thus far, I like the suddenly cosmic, weird twist to a series that has largely been based on comics science.  It adds an entirely different element to a series that has been about repulsors and machinery and the result is a power, and a character, that feels even more ominous and alien.  Great ideas meet big, lingering questions.

Overall, however, I’ll admit that this issue does fall prey to “second issue” syndrome.  It’s clearly a transitional issue and, honestly, there isn’t a huge amount of plot progression.  By itself, as a standalone, it’s not the densest or most meaningful issue.  While it’s always fun hanging out with Fraction’s cast, and while it is a page-turner, the fact is that in itself, this issue doesn’t seem the most eventful.

The Invincible Iron Man #518 – Review

by Matt Fraction (writer), Salvador Larroca (artist), Frank D’Armata (colorist), and Joe Caramagna (letterer)

The Story: Rhodey takes the new suit out on a villain-bashing test-drive; Cabe defends Stark Resilient from the homicidal Spymaster.

The Review:  This is basically a continuation of a lot of the more thrilling elements of last month’s issue.  Case in point is Spymaster’s rampage in the Stark Resilient offices.  It was fun last issue and it’s just as fun this issue.  Fraction and Larroca make this plot an edge of your seat read, action-packed but with a tinge of horror, as Cabe and an injured Wyche are prey to Spymaster’s predator.  There’s something chilling watching Spymaster’s acrobatics and seeing him stalk the offices implacably, undeterred by security measures or lockdown.  The red hazard lights also make for a really intense, nail-biting environment.  Fraction also imbues Cabe with a lot of charisma, as usual, making her an easy character to root for.  The ending of this plot, and the ultimate fate of Spymaster, was also pure perfection; a definitive conclusion, but also great surprise that’ll get a laugh and have you cheer for these innately likable characters.

There are some shorter scenes that standout as well.  The manner in which Fraction and Larroca depict the fight between Detroit Steel and Sasha Hammer was brilliant, alternating panels between the fight itself (at night) and the aftermath (the broken apartment in the daylight).  It created almost a police procedural, detective feel that also served to make the whole thing a bit haunting and unsettling, which is great given how creepy “Detroit Steel” already is.  The other short scene that stands out is the end, which sees Mandarin facing down a possible insurrection.  There’s not much to it yet, but it leads to yet another GREAT cliffhanger for Invincible Iron Man.  It also suggests yet another turn in Ezekial Stane’s gradual shift from dastardly villain to almost anti-hero.

The one downside to this issue is that a lot of time is spent with Rhody and his new suit.  Don’t get me wrong, Larroca draws great tech and machinery and action scenes involving new suits and new technology are a hallmark of this series.  There’s nothing terribly wrong with any of these scenes, it’s just that it’s far less interesting than all of the other stuff that this issue offers.  When the book cuts to Rhodey, it’s almost irritating; I found myself looking forward to getting through the latest action scene just so I could get back to Bethany Cabe and Stark Resilient.  In other words, it’s not that this extended action scene with Rhodey is BAD, it’s just not as good as the rest of the issue.  I think part of the problem is that we’re not at all invested in the villain and, with his new suit, we know he doesn’t stand a chance against Rhodes.