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3.04 AVERAGE
3.04 AVERAGE
An unnecessary (how many are there?) but still really good retelling of Iron Man's origin story.
The plot was just another rehash of the Iron Man origin story (kind of unnecessary since the first Iron Man movie modernized the origin story), so it was in no way groundbreaking. Plot-wise, this is about a 3 star comic, in other words, it's not bad, but it's nothing special. The 4th star was added for the gorgeous art. It's not typical comic book style art, but I loved it! Each panel almost resembles a fine art painting rather than a panel of a comic.
This was very meh.
There’s not a lot to love about this book. I think the art could have really worked with stronger writing. It reminded me of Alex Maleev’s work a little bit and I like the gruffness to it. The rough lines usually work well with Tony’s unstable state of mind... with stronger writing.
This re-tells the origin of Iron Man. I’m not actually sure which Iron Man it is, however. It differs from the origin I read from Tales of Suspense and it differs from the Afghanistan retcon in 2004. It’s just a little odd because it’s like reading everything slightly off kilter.
It’s boring. I can say that.
I love Tony as a character but none of the heart is here. I don’t mean the quips because that’s not all he is. But even Tales of Suspense had more compelling scenes of him angsting and lamenting the fact that no one can ever really get close to him because of his terrible secrets.
Some of this doesn’t make all that much sense like Tony and Yin Sen having enough to build an armor that sturdy in the cave?? Also, the subplot with Tony’s investors was so boring that I kept forgetting about it when they weren’t present.
Pepper was a real after thought. I don’t understand how she knew to contact Rhodey or why she invited a pilot that met Tony once to his intervention.
The only good aspect of this book was the insights into Tony’s alcoholism. Less dramatic than Demon In a Bottle (and a hell of a lot less complex and emotional), this book does a meh job of expressing Tony’s inner monologue and the journey he goes through to reach step one in the recovery process.
So, no, it’s not a recommend. There are comic edit sets on tumblr that will give you all you needed to know.
There’s not a lot to love about this book. I think the art could have really worked with stronger writing. It reminded me of Alex Maleev’s work a little bit and I like the gruffness to it. The rough lines usually work well with Tony’s unstable state of mind... with stronger writing.
This re-tells the origin of Iron Man. I’m not actually sure which Iron Man it is, however. It differs from the origin I read from Tales of Suspense and it differs from the Afghanistan retcon in 2004. It’s just a little odd because it’s like reading everything slightly off kilter.
It’s boring. I can say that.
I love Tony as a character but none of the heart is here. I don’t mean the quips because that’s not all he is. But even Tales of Suspense had more compelling scenes of him angsting and lamenting the fact that no one can ever really get close to him because of his terrible secrets.
Some of this doesn’t make all that much sense like Tony and Yin Sen having enough to build an armor that sturdy in the cave?? Also, the subplot with Tony’s investors was so boring that I kept forgetting about it when they weren’t present.
Pepper was a real after thought. I don’t understand how she knew to contact Rhodey or why she invited a pilot that met Tony once to his intervention.
The only good aspect of this book was the insights into Tony’s alcoholism. Less dramatic than Demon In a Bottle (and a hell of a lot less complex and emotional), this book does a meh job of expressing Tony’s inner monologue and the journey he goes through to reach step one in the recovery process.
So, no, it’s not a recommend. There are comic edit sets on tumblr that will give you all you needed to know.
Some interesting choices made for this updated version of Iron Man's origin story. It goes back in time further than the other Season Ones I've read. Although never specifically stated, the use of the F16 as the primary SHIELD fighter and the mention of the USSR seems to place this story in the 80s, but the situation in "Chardistan," where the initial elements of the origin story are set, doesn't seem to be a direct analog of any 80s conflict. Instead it seems to be closer to Vietnam or modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The core story is the same. Tony Stark is injured and captured while on an on-site visit to a war zone where his products are being used. With the help of another prisoner he is kept from dying and builds the original suit of Iron Man armor which he then uses to escape.
The truly interesting choice was to include in the story the single most interesting aspect of Iron Man: Tony Stark's alcoholism. I give Chaykin kudos for recognizing that and making it the real story of Season One Iron Man.
The core story is the same. Tony Stark is injured and captured while on an on-site visit to a war zone where his products are being used. With the help of another prisoner he is kept from dying and builds the original suit of Iron Man armor which he then uses to escape.
The truly interesting choice was to include in the story the single most interesting aspect of Iron Man: Tony Stark's alcoholism. I give Chaykin kudos for recognizing that and making it the real story of Season One Iron Man.
Pretty average retelling of the Tony Stark becomes Iron Man story. Considering that story is mostly self destructive rich white man slowly comes to learn how to be a better person and less self-destructive, it's a story I'm not all that into.
I'm also not too big a fan of the art. It's got this smudgey, rough edge thing going on. It looks fantastic in some of the bigger panels, but on most of the smaller ones it just left me feeling frustrated because it felt like it was out of focus.
I'm also not too big a fan of the art. It's got this smudgey, rough edge thing going on. It looks fantastic in some of the bigger panels, but on most of the smaller ones it just left me feeling frustrated because it felt like it was out of focus.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The stars are solely for the story, not the art. The art was an absolute smeary mess. I stopped even looking and just read halfway through. So many Iron Man origin stories have been done in the last few years. The ONE thing that Chaykin does better than any other - and I have been waiting for this - is portraying Tony's alcoholism. I've always loved that aspect of Stark more than anything else, and recently it's been relegated to the back burner. Here it gets its due. Otherwise, there isn't any ground that hasn't been covered before, but Tonys mortal failings are enough to overlook the toddler finger painting and give it three stars.
Liked the story (no surprise with Chaykin writing), but I really did not care for the art. Dark and muddy, it just doesn't feel suited to a superhero story.
Okay, not great. The story was a little heavy handed on the terrorist and alcoholic themes, and the artwork was pretty but hazy and unclear, as if seen through the gauze of Tony's alcoholism.