There are a lot of comics out there but some 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 take a look at Marvel’s current “Iron Man” series. The title debuted last September meaning we are just one month shy of the anniversary! Author Christopher Cantwell and artists CAFU and Angel Unzueta have crafted a year of Iron Man stories for the ages. If you aren’t reading one of the best-hidden gems of Marvel’s current publishing slate I’m here to convince you why! Take a deep dive with us on Marvel’s new “Iron Man” title for this week’s Don’t Miss This!
Who’s This By?
“Iron Man” is written by “Halt and Catch Fire” showrunner, Christopher Cantwell. Outside of the television industry Cantwell just started making a name for himself with work at Marvel Comics. Cantwell worked on a “Doctor Doom” series and stepped in for a few projects during the “War of the Realms” crossover. Cantwell’s early scripts at Marvel showed promise and it was time for him to earn an ongoing series with a more prominent Marvel character. CAFU is an excellent artist who has worked in comics for a long time. CAFU’s art is slick, clean, and great for sequential storytelling. CAFU always feels like he is adding a serious demeanor to his stories. The sincere melodrama from Cantwell needs a certain type of artist and CAFU manages to be the perfect fit!
What’s This All About?
“Iron Man” is about Tony Stark. In the past couple of years, writers seem to have forgotten some of the defining traits that make up an intriguing Iron Man story. Cantwell does not have this issue, he immediately adds a sense of tension to Stark’s life. Cantwell adds danger, addiction, and romance but does so with a sincere tone. Stark is facing Avengers villain Korvac in an epic, galactic-based story that has almost spanned an entire year. Cantwell’s pacing does not let up as readers started at Earth and now see Stark exploring the vast reaches of space. Stark’s battle with Korvac continues to become more personal for him. Korvac pulls the strings of other Iron Man villains and even manipulates a love interest to get to Tony. This personal battle draws out some of the most compulsive behavior from Stark. Korvac’s battle with Iron Man follows every comic book cliche with a shocking sense of honesty. Cantwell has given Korvac a serious power boost making him a powerful villain.
So, Why Should I Read This?
Stark loves to feel like he’s up against impossible odds. Cantwell’s new “Iron Man” series pits Tony against a huge battle with his entire rogue’s gallery at first. The first couple of issues throw every Iron Man villain Marvel’s editorial can possibly think of at Tony. Watching Stark barely avoid some of these confrontations leaves me gasping for breath! Seeing the villains stack up against a hero in a similar way to the “Batman: Knightfall” crossover is enthralling. Cantwell also adds a new cast to this title. In addition to an oddball team of heroes, Cantwell pairs Stark up with a new romantic interest. It’s great to see Tony develop a relationship with someone new instead of trying to make sense of an old relationship. Stark pulls Patsy Walker through a lot of trauma in his relentless pursuit of Korvac. The real magic behind Tony and Patsy’s relationship is just starting to surface now thanks to all the context Cantwell has crafted over the past 11 months.
One of my favorite parts of Cantwell’s run is just how high the stakes currently feel. Iron Man’s fight with Korvac continues to spiral into a galactic fight that changes the entire tone of the series. Readers have an extremely alienating feeling of seeing Iron Man in a completely different environment than when the series began. Cantwell has effectively imbued this series with a complete science fiction tone that overtook the more grounded elements over when “Iron Man” started. The inclusion of a cast of lesser Marvel heroes like Misty Knight and Gargoyle really brought a different tone to this title as well.
Continued belowCAFU’s Iron Man looks incredibly slick in this issue. Tony’s armor looks revolutionary and streamlined into something unique but familiar. CAFU’s art isn’t quite perfect as his facial expressions can be lacking on the page. The detail in the background too often consists of boring hallways and clinical settings. Characters don’t quite express themselves when there are a lot of figures on the panel. Despite all the flaws in the art there has to be something to the bombastic fight scenes and epic costumes. There are a couple of issues that have some really experimental page layouts as well. Issue #10 was another standout thanks to the huge figures Iron Man was up against. There was an impressive amount of scale that made CAFU’s figure really intimidating. Cantwell also mixes really well with CAFU’s art. CAFU will often take advantage of the script and tell a surprising character beat with a haunting stare through the Iron Man helmet. CAFU is able to achieve the thematic sense of isolation through a character closeup.
Artist Angel Unzueta’s line isn’t quite as refined as CAFU’s. I wish Unzueta was able to implement some smoother linework with some of the same intrigue from CAFU’s figures. Unzueta’s character expressions also come off as very empty at times. Characters seem to be staring listlessly at all times. Unzueta’s art seems to develop slightly as the series progresses. Unzueta’s Patsy Walker issue #8 strikes a good balance between more refined expressions and natural art. Issue #8 is one of the standouts of the run and mixes between several different styles with ease. I hope to see experimental issues such as these while the series goes on!
How Can You Read It?
“Iron Man” is available in comic book stores and published monthly by Marvel Comics. The first collection of Cantwell, CAFU and Unzueta’s “Iron Man” is now collected in “Iron Man Vol. 1: Big Iron.” You can find the digital copies over at Comixology as well!
