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.

Ultimate Iron-Man II #1 (of 4) – Review

By Orson Scott Card (writer), Pasqual Ferry (artist), Dean White (colorist) VC’s Cory Petit (letterer)

This sequel to Ultimate Iron Man takes place right after the events of Volume 1. But don’t let the sequel status throw you off. Even though one may think it’s unaccessible to new readers, the first page synopsis does a good job on bringing you up to speed. The premise is simple: Tony Stark’s father has been framed in the murder of his corporation’s top competitor. Now, Tony has no choice but to take over in his father’s absence.

So far I really like the way the story’s progressing. Orson Scott Card does a good job of using an attack on Stark Industries to warrant Tony using his prototype armor to protect the building. He is severely injured (losing an arm), and has to sit out for a while to recover from the explosion. As Tony is in the hospital he monitors the news and the public’s reaction – they believe Stark’s Industries has a “robot” that may be a threat to the public.

As the issue continues, it’s revealed that there are other people involved with the attempt to destroy Stark’s building, while two government officials that resemble secret service meet with Tony. Their intention is for Tony to build them a robot (which is really Tony in his armor) by the weekend so that they might use it to eliminate a band of terrorists housed within a country that isn’t in a current state of war with the U.S.

Tony and James Rhodes (both in their prototype armor), finally get to use their suits for some real world tests. This sequence shows them learning how to control their flying and weapon systems. As the firefight (or slaughter) begins, Tony prevents Rhodes from taking any risks, as he can’t regenerate his body like Tony can.

After the killing stops, a boy is revealed and appears to have a bomb strapped to him while Rhodes warns Tony there may be a detonator around. The boy pleas for Tony and Rhodes not to kill his father who is reveled in the final panel in a struggle with another man. This puts them in the situation of who to kill and who not to kill.

The story’s strong in this debut issue – I really liked it. Because there’s not a lot of random chatter, Card is free to give the characters more personality. The art and colors are really done well and I can’t wait to see how the rest of this series plays out. Definitely worth a look in my book. (Grade B+)

-Matt Allen