It seems that most comic book writers who've tackled the adventures of Iron Man had a difficult time figuring out who Tony Stark "was." Is he a playboy? Genius inventor? Superhero? Industrialist? Philanthropist? Womanizer? Good deed doer? Avenger? Director of SHIELD? Is he likable, or a jerk?
The answer has varied, depending on who was writing. But Stark seems to be much more in focus these days, thanks largely to the recent film.
It gave us a hero who was part genius, part irreverent, a risk-taker, a moral man (well, mostly) who fought to do the right thing. He's a fun character, someone you'd like to know or be. A hero who overcomes adversity through his intelligence.
By having that flesh-out character to build on, the comic book version of Stark seems much more three-dimensional these days - and it's just in time for a major change in the hero's status quo.
This issue, as written by Matt Fraction, shows Stark at the end of his involvement with SHIELD. (I can never remember the updated full name of that organization, but I always remember it as Supreme Headquarters for International Espionage and Law-enforcement Division.)
That organization is being rebooted as HAMMER (and I haven't heard what that stands for, but let's take a guess: Headquarters for All Manner of Mischief, Excess and Ruin.)
The issue is a quiet, transitional one, but it sets up the coming conflict between Iron Man and HAMMER - not to mention the group's new leader, Norman Osborn.
The art here is outstanding, as Salvador Larroca and colorist Frank D'Armata combine huge vistas (including an amazing shot of a Helicarrier being dismantled) and the emotional moments (including a confrontation between Stark and Osborn).
I'm not a big fan of the "Fugitive" storylines, which is what we seem to be heading for here, but so far, this has been an excellent run on Iron Man.
It's almost enough to make me forgive Tony's treatment in Civil War. Almost.
Grade: B+
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