There are a lot of comics out there, but some just stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we look at “Invincible Iron Man” by Gerry Duggan, Juan Frigeri, Bryan Valenza, and Joe Caramagna, published by Marvel Comics.
Who Is This By?
Writer Gerry Duggan is most famous for his work at Marvel Comics. He is acclaimed for his work on various “Deadpool” comics, but has also had written for “Nova,” “Hulk,” “Savage Avengers,” “Marauders,” and “Punisher,” among others. Outside of Marvel, Duggan also has done some work with other publishers. At DC Comics, he wrote the “Arkham Manor” limited series and the “Batman: One Bad Day – Mister Freeze” #1 one-shot. At Image Comics, his works include “Analog” and “Dead Eyes.”
Illustrator Juan Frigeri has some experience with Marvel, including ongoing series, limited series, and one-shots. For ongoings, Frigeri has worked on Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man,” Ed Brisson’s 2019 “Ghost Rider” run, and the tail end of Al Ewing’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Limited series include the likes of “Age of X-Man: The Amazing Nightcrawler.” As for one-shots, Frigeri has drawn hellish imagery for “Absolute Carnage: Symbiote of Vengeance” #1 and “King in Black: Ghost Rider” #1, along with tales from a galaxy far, far away in “True Believers: Star Wars – Darth Maul” #1.
Colorist Bryan Valenza has numerous credits, primarily at Marvel and Image Comics. For Marvel, he colored Benjamin Percy’s “Ghost Rider” run, various writers’ takes on “Amazing Spider-Man,” and the second volume of “Venom: Lethal Protector.” His coloring for Image includes “Helm Greycastle” and the 2018 run on “Witchblade.”
What’s It All About?
After the events of the 2020 Christopher Cantwell “Iron Man” run, Tony Stark is borderline broke: he bought up the multitude of weapons from Source Control, and also separated from his company. Without other places to live, be they Avengers Tower, Avengers Mansion, or some other location he once owned, Tony Stark is down to a borderline street level hero living in New York City. He feels out of touch, out of date, and feels a need to begin writing his autobiography before he possibly dies in the line of duty as a superhero. Stark is derided or insulted by many common civilians (with deliberate comparisons made to Spider-Man’s reputation), not helped by the collateral damage of his fights or attempts on his life.
Speaking of attempts on Tony Stark’s life, this first arc, which ends on the most recent issue, concerns a new saboteur who aims to kill Tony Stark for reasons unknown, as well as ruin his reputation. The conflict is a relatively common situation for him, to be sure, but the use of a newer antagonist mixes it up a bit.
Drawn into the chaos are his allies, mainly his best friend James “Rhodey” Rhodes (a.k.a. War Machine) and his protege Riri Williams (a.k.a. Ironheart), along with some influence of his mutant associates from Krakoa (for good and ill). Each of them, especially Riri, help to show the human under the armor, giving someone for whom Tony can become vulnerable to at least some degree without shame, making for an excellent humanizing element to the Iron Man.
Some other factors of earlier stories, including the possession of the Mandarin’s Malukan rings (as of the end of the prior “Iron Man” run) and the terraforming of Mars (in Jonathan Hickman’s run on “Avengers”) also come up, hinting at more nods to other stories down the line, such as ties to the overarching “Krakoan Age” of X-Men history.
What Makes It So Great?
Tony Stark losing his fortune is nothing new. It happens sometimes, and he finds a way to bounce back somehow. However, this fifth volume of “Invincible Iron Man” is focused on who he is without his money. Yes, there are references to his employees. But it is his relationship with his past choices, with his friends, that is truly in the spotlight.
From Howard Stark’s legacy to Tony’s own, the characters of are reckoning with the fallout of an Iron Man brought down to Earth. Limited super-technology against seemingly insurmountable odds, friends of various ages, and an international threat all are on the line. The interlocking story with that of Krakoa also helps bring it all to a grander scope, without forcing readers to know much about the mutants or their troubles.
Continued belowHow Can You Read It?
“Invincible Iron Man” is available wherever comic books are sold. The latest issue released, concluding the first story arc, is “Invincible Iron Man” #5, out today, with new issues published monthly.
