Invincible Iron Man #1

Release Date: May 7, 2008
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Storyline: The Five Nightmares: Armageddon Days (Part 1 of 6)
Writer: Matt Fraction
Pencils: Salvador Larroca
Price: $2.99

Reviewer: Eric

Iron Man is the most popular superhero at the moment. He has a number one movie and two new series this week. Invincible Iron Man is a new ongoing series from Matt Fraction, one of the writers behind the now terrible Punisher: War Journal series. Is Fraction going to ruin Iron Man or do we have another cult hit, like his now canceled The Order series?

The thought of another Iron Man series seems suspicious. Does Matt Fraction really have a good idea or is this Marvel’s way of cashing in on the movie? I hate to say it, but this Iron Man series might be the best series Tony Stark has.

Where Fraction screwed up with the Punisher: War Journal (see Punisher: War Journal #19 review) series, he shines in the Invincible Iron Man #1. The issue focuses more on the good about Tony Stark and not about the bad. I’ve hated the man ever since Captain America died; now I think I may be able to forgive him.

Tony Stark is a changed man here. He has been sober for awhile now and he is taking his job as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director in a serious matter. Instead of running around, trying to get mutants to register, Stark is concerned about the Iron Man technology getting in the wrong hands. It turns out Stark has installed a program that lets him know where his technology is.

Invincible Iron Man feels like the Astonishing X-Men to me so far. Instead of following all the story lines this issues only follows the main ones. If you haven’t been keeping up with Iron Man for awhile then you will have no problem picking this issue up and figuring out what’s going on.

Another great part about this issue is the new villain Fraction is bringing into Iron Man’s world. This person is new and Tony Stark may have finally met his match. Finally a new villain that Stark can take on that isn’t a complete joke.

I can’t find too much to complain about this issue. Salvador Larroca is handling the art here and for whatever reason I am enjoying his work way too much. This is the guy that ruined Apocalypse in the Ultimate X-Men. Instead of ruining Iron Man he has gone ahead and made him look…incredible.

Yes, Larroca has turned a new page in his story and created incredible art for the Invincible Iron Man series. Even Tony Stark looks good, he is one of the first artists to actually make him look decent.

Final Verdict
This is the best comic book to come out this week. We might have not needed another Iron Man series, but this one is welcomed with open arms. Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca have created a strong first issue; I can’t wait to see what happens next month.

Rating
9.75 out of 10