Tag Tony Stark

The Invincible Iron Man #3 Micro-Review – Cover Stories

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***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

The Invincible Iron Man 3, cover, Febuary 2023, Kael NguTITLE: The Invincible Iron Man #3
AUTHOR: Gerry Duggan
ARTISTS: Juan Frigeri, Bryan Valenza (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Kael Ngu.
RELEASED: February 15, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Covers are weird sometimes. Last time we had Iron Man and Ironheart fighting on the cover, but no such fight took place in the issue. This issue, we actually do have Iron Man and War Machine fighting another armored character, but they don’t advertise the fight on the cover. Instead they opt for this “split face” design. It’s a little strange, is all I’m saying.

Duggan does a nice job making the stakes personal in this issue. Last issue, I said I was waiting for business to pick up. It feels like that happened this time.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

The Invincible Iron Man #2 Micro-Review – A Flat-Out Lie

Rob Siebert 1 Comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

The Invincible Iron Man 2, cover, January 2023, Kael NguTITLE: The Invincible Iron Man #2
AUTHOR: Gerry Duggan
ARTISTS: Juan Frigeri, Bryan Valenza (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Kael Ngu.
RELEASED: January 18, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

That cover is a flat-out lie. A beautifully drawn and colored lie, but a lie nonetheless. Ironheart is in this issue. But she and Tony do not, in fact, go “one-on-one.”

Naturally, the plot thickens in this issue in regard to the plot to kill Tony Stark. I can’t say I was particularly moved one way or the other on this one. Much like issue #1, issue #2 was just sort of…there. I’m waiting for business to pick up.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Alex Ross Spotlight: Black Panther #12

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I suppose I’m just not as well versed in my Avengers lore as I should be, as I didn’t know they had a big roundtable like we see on the cover to this week’s Black Panther #12. I know the classic Justice League has one. I guess in this case what’s good for one is good for the other…

This is a textbook set-up: One hero walking away from the other heroes to indicate isolation, separation, etc. But as T’Challa is walking toward the camera, we’re able to see Ross’ detailed rendering of his face and get a read on what’s going through his head at this pivotal moment.

One interesting element about this cover is that we get to see Ross depict these heroes in a more “down” moment. We’ve got Thor and Iron Man without their helmets sitting at the table. Their posture doesn’t indicate that they’re relaxed, per se. But they’re not springing into action, or mid-action, as a cover would often depict them. Oddly enough though, Captain America is still in full superhero mode, with his mask on and his shield strapped to his back. Somehow that feels right for Steve Rogers, who might take more of an all-business approach in a setting like this.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

The Invincible Iron Man #1 Micro-Review – A Passing Interest

Rob Siebert 1 Comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

TITLE: The Invincible Iron Man #1
AUTHOR: Gerry Duggan
ARTISTS: Juan Frigeri, Bryan Valenza (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Kael Ngu.

RELEASED: December 14, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

This issue is something of an oddity for me, in that I’m a fan of the handle Gerry Duggan and the artists respectfully have on the Iron Man character and his world. I also like the framing device Duggan is using, i.e. Tony Stark writing his autobiography.

But somehow, the story just didn’t hook me. It didn’t turn me off, and I’ll likely still come back to check out issue #2. But I’m not dying to see what happens next. It’s more like I have a passing interest in seeing what happens next.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Toy Chest Theater: Iron Man by Dan Williams

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By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

The obvious imagery this pic from Dan Williams evokes is of Robert Downey Jr. forging his Iron Man armor in the original Iron Man movie. I can practically hear the Ramin Djawadi soundtrack in my head as I look at it.

Interestingly enough, however, Williams didn’t use the MCU version of the costume for the background image. Rather, he went with something more akin to the classic look from the comics, right down to the yellow mask we see above the anvil.

The classic never dies, as they say…

Iron Man, Tony Stark, Dan Williams

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Captain America/Iron Man #3 Micro-Review – That Much Closer…

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Captain America Iron Man 3, cover, 2022, Alex RossTITLE: Captain America/Iron Man #3
AUTHOR: Derek Landy
ARTISTS: Angel Unzueta, Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Alex Ross.

RELEASED: January 26, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Civil War is mentioned a couple times in this issue. So it looks like we’re that much closer to Steve and Tony actually talking about it, as I’ve been waiting for. They actually have just such a conversation in this issue about when Cap “joined” Hydra.

But as far as I’m concerned the real star of this book is our villain, Veronica Eden. Cap and Iron Man are ultimately just pretty window dressing.

As is often the case, these Alex Ross covers are worth the cover price on their own.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Captain America/Iron Man #2 Micro-Review – The Eye Has It

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Captain America Iron Man 2, cover, 2022, Alex RossTITLE: Captain America/Iron Man #2
AUTHOR: Derek Landy
ARTISTS: Angel Unzueta, Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Alex Ross.

RELEASED: January 5, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Love that cover with the eye showing through the Iron Man armor. It’s so simple, yet it’s one of the better Marvel covers Alex Ross has done recently.

We get some of the banter between our two heroes in this issue that was missing last time. But I’m still waiting for them to tackle the elephant in the room: Civil War.

Landy is good with Veronica Eden. He’s able to make her funny without turning her into a parody. Or worse: Making her annoying.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Captain America/Iron Man #1 Micro-Review – After the War…

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Captain America:Iron Man 1, cover, 2021, Alex RossTITLE: Captain America/Iron Man #1
AUTHOR: Derek Landy
ARTISTS: Angel Unzueta, Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Alex Ross.

RELEASED: December 8, 2021

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

It looks like this picks up where another miniseries left off. But I was able to jump in without missing a beat.

Angel Unzueta’s art gives me a little bit of a John Byrne vibe. At least in this issue.

For me, the main draw of this mini is diving into Cap and Tony’s friendship, and how it’s able to even exist after what we saw back in Civil War. We don’t get into that much here. But we’ve got four more issues. Plenty of time.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Weekly Comic 100s: Three Jokers, Marvels X, Spider-Man, and More!

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***”Weekly Comic 100s” keeps it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Three Jokers #2
AUTHOR: Geoff Johns
ARTISTS: Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson (Colorist), Rob Leigh (Letterer)
RELEASED: September 29, 2020

Three Jokers is much more about Jason Todd than I imagined it would be. That’s not a bad thing.

This issue contains a romantic moment between Jason and Barbara Gordon. That is a bad thing.

Johns tries to tie the events of this story back to the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, which I find forced. I’d much rather spend those pages exploring the fact that there are, y’know, three Jokers!

Still, Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson present us with one of the most beautiful Batman books we’ve seen in a long time.

TITLE: Marvels X #5
AUTHOR: Alex Ross (Story), Jim Krueger (Script)
ARTISTS: Well-Bee, Cory Petit (Letterer). Cover by Ross.
RELEASED: September 30, 2020

There’s a page in here that’s particularly poignant, given the times we’re living in today. Our main character is talking to the Falcon about Captain America.

Falcon says it’s hard to be Cap’s friend at the moment, given all the anger in the country. As a hero, he has to worry about controlling his fellow citizens, as opposed to protecting them.

“It’s not a democracy anymore. It’s not about different voices. It’s about one voice. An angry, frightened one.”

Powerful stuff.

TITLE: Wonder Woman #763
AUTHOR: Mariko Tamaki
ARTISTS: Carlo Barberi, Matt Santorelli (Inker), Alejandro Sanchez (Colorist), Pat Brosseau (Letterer). Cover by David Marquez & Sanchez.
RELEASED: September 29, 2020

First and foremost, Liar Liar is a really stupid name for a villain. Better that she just go by Emma Lord.

Indeed, we found out last issue that Maxwell Lord has a daughter. I can’t say I saw that coming.

Carlo Barberi’s art is growing on me. He turns in some really dynamic and attractive work here. But I still can’t help but miss Mikel Janin, who’s not an easy act to follow for anybody.

This Diana partnership is growing on me too. Enough to get me to start picking up Wonder Woman again.

TITLE: Spider-Man #4
AUTHORS: J.J. Abrams, Henry Abrams
ARTISTS: Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D’Amico (Inking Assistant), Dave Stewart (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Olivier Coipel.
RELEASED: September 23, 2020

On the whole, I’m liking this book. Especially the “sketchy” looking art, which is different than a lot of what Sara Pichelli has put out over the years. I really only have one major issue: Tony Stark.

Iron Man pulls focus. It’s a rule that’s osmosed into the comics from the movies. Thus, Tony’s presence in this story, even as a supporting character, takes some much-needed emphasis off this new Ben Parker character. We’ve only got one issue left in this mini. All the more reason to keep this a Spider-Man story.

TITLE: Suicide Squad #9
AUTHOR: Tom Taylor
ARTISTS: Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas (Colorist), Wes Abbott (Letterer). Variant cover by Travis Moore & Alejandro Sanchez.
RELEASED: September 22, 2020

We get a guest appearance from Superman in this issue, and I’ve gotta say, Redondo draws a hell of a Man of Steel.

The decision to make Ted Kord a villain in this series is an interesting one. He’s not a character that long-time readers would be inclined to hate, or even dislike.

It feels like Taylor wanted to do more in this series with Deadshot and his daughter. Here’s hoping he gets another chance somewhere down the line

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Weekly Comic 100s: Iron Man #1, Star Wars, and More!

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***”Weekly Comic 100s” keeps it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

TITLE: Iron Man #1
AUTHOR: Christopher Cantwell
ARTISTS: Cafu, Frank D’Armata (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Alex Ross
RELEASED: September 16, 2020

The premise of this book is that Tony Stark is going back to basics. Good ol’ fashioned super-heroing. He does this in his classic costume, which is pretty cool. Cafu and D’Armata give us an amazing page of him “suiting up.”

Cantwell’s dialogue, particularly between Iron Man and Hellcat, is pretty funny. It may get to be grating as the issues go on. But for now I dig it.

Cool use of sign language in this issue. It’s only one panel. But it’s memorable.

TITLE: Seven Secrets #2
AUTHOR: Tom Taylor
ARTISTS: Daniele Di Nicuolo, Walter Baiamonte & Katia Ranalli (Colorists), Ed Dukeshire (Letterer)
RELEASED: September 16, 2020

This second issue is basically a big exposition dump. But there’s some interesting stuff in here. Especially what basically amounts to a ninja school for youngsters. Then the emotional stakes raise when we start to see our main character, Caspar, interact with his parents.

In a perfect world, we could have spent the entire first arc of the book on the content in this issue. Whether the speed-through was worth it or not depends on the quality of the story they end up telling.

Meanwhile, Daniele Di Nicuolo remains at home in a story about youngsters doing martial arts.

TITLE: Star Wars #6
AUTHOR: Charles Soule
ARTISTS: Jesus Saiz, Arif Prianto (Co-Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer). Cover by R.B. Silva and Guru-eFX
RELEASED: September 16, 2020

Six issues in, this book finally starts to get interesting here. We finally finish the ridiculous business of finding Luke an intermediate lightsaber, and then we jump right into something cool at an old Jedi temple.

Story notwithstanding, I certainly can’t complain about Jesus Saiz and Arif Prianto’s art. Saiz captures the likenesses of the actors very well. This issue in particular has a wonderful closing splash page.

TITLE: Giant-Size X-Men: Storm
AUTHOR: Jonathan Hickman
ARTISTS: Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson (Colorist), Ariana Maher (Letterer)
RELEASED: September 16, 2020

Emma Frost steals this issue within the first few pages. Storm laments the fact that she might be dying, and Emma lays into her for being dramatic. “After all, we’re just going to resurrect you, dear.”

I love when even the characters themselves know how death works in comics.

Actually, we wind up returning to the “Why not just die and come back?” question later. It’s the most interesting part of the story, but we don’t dive into it to any sort of satisfaction. By and large this book, like the other Giant-Size X-Men books, is very missable.

TITLE: Darth Vader #5
AUTHOR: Greg Pak
ARTISTS: Raffaele Ienco, Neeraj Menon (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letter). Cover by InHyuk Lee.
RELEASED: September 16, 2020

Some of the art in this book is really awkward. Case in point, a flashback panel where we see Obi-Wan cut Anakin’s limbs off in Revenge of the Sith. The figure rendering itself is fine. But some of the posing is just weird.

Thankfully, they do not in fact exhume Padme’s corpse in this issue. That’s where it looks like it’s going for a few pages…

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.