Iron Man #1 Review

Tags

Alex Ross, Cafu, Christopher Cantwell, Frank D’Armata, Hellcat, Iron Man, Iron Man #1, Iron Man #1 Review, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Patsy Walker, Tony Stark

Iron Man #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

Tony Stark decides to get back to basics in Iron Man #1 as Marvel Comics launches a brand new ongoing series from the all-new-creative team of writer Christopher Cantwell, artist Cafu and color artist Frank D’Armata.

Right from the outset its clear writer Christopher Cantwell is aiming for a more refined and contemporary take on the character. While the opening slugfest with Terrax provides us with the necessary prerequisite of Iron Man action, the real nuts and bolts of the issue follows Tony Stark’s attempt to get his life back on track. Reinvesting his billion dollar exit package from Stark Unlimited, along with all the high-tech toys and equally high-profile image is the easy part, recalibrating his life with a 1978 Dodge Aspen, a new pad, and street racing while every CEO, financier and entrepreneur worth their salt has something to pitch to him proves to be a more challenging balancing act for him. Fortunately Patsy Walker, aka Hellcat, arrives to keep Tony grounded. 

Cantwell ensures the pace of the issue flows smoothly while significant refinements to Tony’s life unfold along the way, one could almost say it reads a bit like superhero mid-life-crisis, and the parallel narrative of social media posts peppered throughout brings the scrutiny on Stark’s world into sharper context than ever before. Patsy Walker is another unexpected surprise, one that that totally blindsides Tony during his most soul-searching moments, and she proves t a perfect foil for Stark’s ego as well. Throw in a D-list villain and a threat with biblical connotations and Christopher Cantwell sets up this new Iron Man series in fine style indeed.

The art by Cafu is a real treat as well, rich with detail, expression, and dynamic viewpoints   it makes this issue a veritable feast on the senses. Full framed, overlapping panel layouts allow scenes to shift seamlessly from one to the next, with media interviews, street racing, encounters with old friends and old enemies are all rendered in Cafu’s distinctly lavish visuals and beautifully complemented by color artist Frank D’Armata’s exquisite use of muted pallets, rich tones, and deep shadows. The new Iron Man armor design by Alex Ross is a glorious reinvention of the characters classic look, it even gets showcased with a good old-fashioned suit-up scene, and the overall aesthetic is pleasingly nostalgic yet sufficiently updated enough to make this relaunch feel all the more special as a result.

Much like Tony Stark, this new series suits-up with an upgraded sense of reflection and confidence, quickly finds it feet, and embarks on a bold new era filled with potential. With its excellent and witty storyline by Christopher Cantwell, great art by Cafu, and superb cover by Alex Ross, Iron Man #1 feels like a much needed breath of fresh air for the character, and I’m really excited to see what this new creative team have in store for old Shell-Head in the months to come.

Publisher: Marvel

Writer: Christopher Cantwell / Artist: Cafu

Color Artist: Frank D’Armata / Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna 

Cover: Alex Ross

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

 

New Avengers: Endgame Official Trailer!

Tags

Avengers 4, Avengers 4 trailer, Avengers Endgame, Avengers Endgame Official Trailer, Avengers Endgame Trailer, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Bradley Cooper, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hulk, Iron Man, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Jr., Karen Gillan, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bethany, Pom Klementieff, Robert Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Spider-Man, Thanos, The Avengers, Thor, Tom Holland

New Avengers: Endgame Official Trailer!

The new Avengers: Endgame official trailer has been released! This epic trailer givers us our first good look at what this major turning point in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have in store for us. Avengers: Endgame, Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, follows on from Avengers: Infinity War’s devestating cliff-hanger which saw fifty per cent of the MUC’s heroes turned to dust by Josh Brolin’s Thanos.. Now the saga reaches a shattering conclusion in Avengers: Endgame, and I can’t wait to see how everything is resolved after seeing this awesome looking trailer!

Whatever it takes. Check out the -new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame!

Avengers: End Game　is set to land in UK cinemas on 26 April 2019

And there’s a great new poster as well!

Follow @paul_bowler

Avengers Endgame Trailer Released!

Tags

Avengers 4, Avengers 4 trailer, Avengers Endgame, Avengers Endgame Official Trailer, Avengers Endgame Trailer, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Bradley Cooper, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hulk, Iron Man, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Jr., Karen Gillan, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bethany, Pom Klementieff, Robert Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Spider-Man, Thanos, The Avengers, Thor, Tom Holland

Avengers Endgame Trailer Released!

Following the an epic decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to reach a major turning point with Avengers: Endgame! Yes, after weeks of rumours that a trailer for Avengers 4 was on the way, today is the day we’ve all been waiting for.. our first glimpse at the trailer and title for the fourth Avengers Movie: Avengers Endgame!

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Endgame looks set to resolve the Avengers: Infinity War’s shattering cliff-hanger that saw fifty per cent of the MUC’s heroes turned to dust by Josh Brolin’s Thanos..

The trailer for Avengers Endgame shows how Tony Stark is coping in the aftermath of Avengers: Infinity War – and we also get a few hints about what and who we will see in Avengers: Endgame…

Its great to finally have a look at what Avengers Endgame will be like, really excited for this movie! What did you all think of the trailer for Avengers Endgame?

Avengers: End Game　is set to land in UK cinemas on 26 April 2019.

And here’s the new Avengers Endgame poster!

Follow @paul_bowler

 

Avengers Infinity War Film Review

Tags

Avengers Infinity War, Avengers Infinity War Film Review, Benedict Cumberbatch, Black Panther, Bradley Cooper, Captain America, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Doctor Strange, Gamora, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hulk, Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity Stones, Iron Man, Josh Brolin, Karen Gillan, loki, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Spider-Man, Thanos, The Avengers, The Vision, Thor, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Holland, Wakanda, Wanda Maximoff

Avengers Infinity War Film Review

Review by Paul Bowler

Get set for Marvel Studios’ Avengers Infinity War to rock the Marvel Cinematic Universe to its very core as the Avengers and their superhero allies confront the deadly power of Thanos, played with gravely voiced menace by Josh Brolin. Earth’s mightiest heroes must prepare to sacrifice everything in order to prevent Thanos from gathering the Infinity Stones into a gauntlet that could enable him to destroy the universe!

Quintessentially the culmination of everything the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been building towards since its inception way back in 2008 with Iron Man, it now falls to the nineteenth film in Marvel‘s box-office hit-machine franchise to bring this ten year journey across the MCU full circle with Avengers Infinity War.

Although our heroes were left fractured by the events of 2016’s Captain America Civil War, it’s not long before they reunite in the face of the threat posed by Thanos and the mad Titan’s nefarious scheme to wipe out half the universe.

With returning favourites including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans) leading the charge into battle along with Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson), Vision (Paul Bettany), Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olse), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and War Machine (Donn Cheadle), there’s also the welcome addition of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and the Guardians of the Galaxy into the mix, along with numerous other characters from the MCU also joining the ranks of the films heroic ensemble cast in the battle against Thanos!

Right from the jaw-dropping opening, it quickly becomes apparent that not everyone will survive either. The two and a half hour running time boasts spectacular action and drama, with its narrative interwoven across four major plot threads, spanning locations across the entire MCU; this epic crossover event is ably handled by the directing duo of the Russo brothers and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFreely.

For a film so packed with plotlines and characters the Russo brothers still manage give everyone a moment in the spotlight – however fleeting – and still keep everything and everyone on track. Thanos cuts a swathe of devastation in his quest to acquire all six Infinity Stones, but it quickly becomes a very personal battle for the Avengers because one of the stones is embedded in the Vision’s forehead, making the androids impending plight especially heartrending for his love interest Wanda Maxim off – in scenes movingly played by Elizabeth Olse and Paul Bettany. Chris Evans continues to impress as Captain America, times have been tough for Cap in recent films but the camaraderie between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes / White Wolf (Sebastian Stan) shines though here, as does Roger’s great respect for Wakandan king T’Challa / Black Panther. The spiky banter between Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man / Tony Stark and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is another highlight, and Tom Holland’s wisecracking Spider-Man is always fun to have around. Chris Hemsworth also gets some great scenes as the vanquished Thor who teams-up with Guardians of the Galaxy Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel), and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) in the fight to stop Thanos.

Avengers Infinity War crams a hell of a lot in but it never feels bloated or gets bogged down in needless exposition. The majority of the characters are well served by the script, key emotional beats really hit the mark, and there are plenty of fun one-liners to enjoy. Infinity War also goes out of its way to firmly establish the giant purple alien Thanos as the ultimate Big-Bad of the Marvel Universe, and the CGI wizardry together with Josk Brolin’s brilliant performance mesh seamlessly to bring us one of the most richly compelling villains to have ever graced the MCU. Although his motivations in Avengers Infinity War diverge slightly from his comic book counterpart, Thanos still remains a towering presence throughout the film, there’s also great pathos to his scenes with Zoe Saldana as his adopted daughter Gamora, and his fearsome lieutenants The Children of Thanos (known as the Black Order in the comics) are an imposing – if rather one-dimensional – addition to the villain’s forces.

Avengers Infinity War is a veritable fangasim of comic book action, packed with mind-boggling special effects and huge action set pieces that dazzle amidst every twist and turn of the plot as events inexorably rumble towards the epic final battle, and its subsequent game-changing conclusion. Once the dust settles the excitement, gut wrenching loss, and unexpected surprises in Avengers Infinity War will leave you reeling as to where the Marvel Cinematic Universe goes from here. Avengers Infinity War doesn’t pull any punches, however with the stakes raised so high in this move it makes you wonder how much of it is set in stone – especially with the continuation already due in next year’s fourth Avengers film – but one things for sure Avengers Infinity War is without doubt one of the most ambitious and breath taking superhero movies ever!

 

Follow @paul_bowler

Avengers Infinity War: New Official Trailer Released!

Tags

Avengers Infinity War, Avengers Infinity War Trailer, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Bradley Cooper, Captain America, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hulk, Iron Man, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Jr., Karen Gillan, Mark Ruffalo, New Avengers Infinity War Official Trailer, Paul Bethany, Pom Klementieff, Robert Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Spider-Man, Thanos, The Avengers, Thor, Tom Holland

Avengers Infinity War: New Official Trailer Released!

Check out Marvel Studios’ new Avengers Infinity War official trailer!

Avengers: Infinity War. In theaters April 27th 2018.

Can’t wait for this movie now, looks awesome, what do you think of the trailer?

Follow @paul_bowler

Marvel Studios’ Avengers Infinity War Official Trailer Released!

Tags

Avengers Infinity War, Avengers Infinity War first trailer, Avengers Infinity War Teaser Trailer, Avengers Infinity War Trailer, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Bradley Cooper, Captain America, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hulk, Iron Man, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Jr., Karen Gillan, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bethany, Pom Klementieff, Robert Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Spider-Man, Thanos, The Avengers, Thor, Tom Holland

Avengers Infinity War Official Trailer Released!

Check out the first awesome Avengers Infinity War official trailer!

Avengers: Infinity War. In theaters May 4.

So excited for this movie, what do you think of the trailer?

Follow @paul_bowler

 

Invincible Iron Man #593 Review

Tags

Alex Maleev, Avengers, Brian Michael Bendis, Infamous Iron Man, Invincible Iron Man #593, Invincible Iron Man #593 review, Iron Man, Ironheart, Marte Gracia, Marvel Comics, Marvel Legacy, Stefano Caselli, The Invincible Iron Man #593, Tony Stark, VC’s Clayton Cowls

Invincible Iron Man #593

Review by Paul Bowler

A startling new era for Marvel’s armored Avenger begins in Invincible Iron Man #593 as Marvel Legacy gets under way. The comatose body of Tony Stark has vanished! Now it falls to Stark’s friends and foes, those who have overseen his business interests and assumed the mantel of Iron Man since his battle with Captain Marvel during Civil War II left Tony in a medically unexplainable coma, to finally decide who will succeed him as the Invincible Iron Man!

Well, now that we’ve got all the hoo-ha with Secret Empire out of the way, Marvel can concentrate on getting things back on track with Legacy. To be honest, this is bit of a quirky issue of Invincible Iron Man, there is a sense of getting back to basics and core elements of the character, which I guess is what Legacy is meant to be all about, and the return to the series’ original numbering – along with a great cover by Adi Granov – gives you a real sense that you are witnessing the start of something with great potential here.

The issue is positively bursting with insightful character moments and exposition, and writer Brian Michael Bendis keeps Invincible Iron Man #593 on an even keel as he skilfully juggles the numerous plot threads. Tony’s AI, Friday is every present throughout, quickly brining us up to speed with current events: with Tony’s condition in stasis at a Stark Facility, Riri Williams role as Iron heart (whose Armor is run by an AI downloaded from Stark’s consciousness), and Victor Von Doom’s self-proclaimed path to redemption as the Infamous Iron Man.

The Star Expo that opens the issue, overseen by Stark’s Mother, Amanda, and Mary Jane Watson, is a poignant affair tinged with both sadness and hope; despite the dour board of directors resolve to spoil the party. Throw in the mystery of Tony Stark’s body going missing and a tense face-off between the Thing and Victor Von Doom after an incident at Riker’s Island, and you have an issue that poses as many questions as it does answers.

Featuring the work of artists Stefano Caselli and Alex Maleey, with Color Artists Marte Gracia and Alex Maleev, Invincible Iron Man #593 ticks all the boxes visually and stylistically, and the transition between artists and color artists doesn’t impede the overall enjoymenty of reading the issue. The panel layouts are straightforward, nothing fancy, the characters and location are well realized, and there’s a nice jaunt around the Marvel Universe as everyone concerned ponders who ya gonna call when Tony Stark goes missing!?! Although there’s probably enough story in this issue for a couple of issues, for me though, the standout scene was between Victor and The Thing, where some especially scathing home truths are finally aired – and about time too!

Ok, now I’m a big fan of Iron Man / Tony Stark. However, I wasn’t impressed with his fate at the end of Civil War II, Riri Williams was ok as Ironheart, but I didn’t really warm to Doom being the Infamous Iron Man that much, and having skipped Secret Empire completely I’m hoping that The Search For Tony Stark Part 1 sets things up for Tony’s return as the one, true, Iron Man. The question is, is that what’s happening here in this issue?

That’s something this issues surprise ending will certainly leave us guessing about for now. While the story is adequate enough, I was hoping the art would be a bit more spectacular, but it’s still a fairly good issue for fans and newcomers alike. Suffice to say; if Marvel Legacy is all about getting back to the core mechanics, ethos, and distinctive look of Marvel’s most iconic characters, then Invincible Iron Man #593 is definitely a step in the right direction.

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Artist: Stefano Caselli & Alex Maleev

Color Artists: Marte Gracia & Alex Maleev / Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowls

Cover: Adi Granov

Follow @paul_bowler

Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer 2 Released!

Tags

Aunt May, Captain America, Iron Man, Jon Watts, Marisa Tomei, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Michael Keaton, New Spider-Man Homecoming trailer, New York, Peter Parker, Robert Downey Jr, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Homecoming, Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer 2, Spiderman Trailer, Spidey, The Vulture, Tom Holland

Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer 2 Released!

　

Check out the all-new Spider-Man Homecoming trailer! This looks great, certainly got my Spidey sense tingling, can’t wait for this movie!

Spider-Man Homecoming arrives in theatres July 7^th 2017

 

Spider-Man Homecoming First Official Teaser Trailer Released!

Tags

Aunt May, Iron Man, Jon Watts, Marisa Tomei, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Michael Keaton, New York, Peter Parker, Robert Downey Jr, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Homecoming, Spider-Man Homecoming Jimmy Kimmel, Spiderman Trailer, Spidey, The Vulture, Tom Holland

Spider-Man Homecoming First Official Teaser Trailer Released!

Check out the new Spider-Man Homecoming trailer first show on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

THWIPP! THWIPP! Really excited for this movie now!

Follow @paul_bowler

Invincible Iron Man #1 Review

Tags

Brian Michael Bendis, Invincible Iron Man #1, Invincible Iron Man #1 Marvel Now, Invincible Iron Man #1 Review, Iron Man, Ironheart, Marvel Comics, Marvel Now, Riri Williams, Stefano Caselli, Tony Stark

Invincible Iron Man #1

Review by Paul Bowler

An exciting new era begins in Marvel Now’s Invincible Iron Man #1 as Riri Williams steps up to become the worlds newest armored superhero! Kitted out in her homemade Iron Man armor, former M.I.T student Riri is ready to rise to the challenges of the Marvel Universe, but the young genius has some pretty big armored boots to fill – especially now that a certain billionaire mega-genius isn’t exactly around much these days…

Yes, there’s a new armored hero on the block in Invincible Iron Man #1, and her name is Riri Williams! Marvel Now continues apace in the wake of Marvel’s Civil War II as Brian Michael Bendis, Stefano Caselli, and Marte Gracia bring us the adventures of Riri Williams, Marvel’s new hero from Chicago, Ironheart!

Having a new character stepping into the role once held by a long-standing character is nothing new in comics. Invincible Iron Man #1 marks the beginning of a new era with Riri Williams taking centre stage after writer Brian Michael Bendis had already firmly established her character in the previous volume of Invincible Iron Man. It is this cleverly constructed groundwork that has made Riri‘s, as well as Victor‘s, gradual integration into Tony Stark’s life, seem all the more believable, and not just another change for change’s sake scenario as the Iron-Mantles are effectively passed to Riri Williams and Doctor Doom respectively.

From the opening video-blogger style credit page opening, Brian Michael Bendis gives us an insightful and moving glimpse into the life and times of Riri Williams. The battle with the rogue monster-spawning mutant Animax fills the prerequisite action quota for Invincible Iron Man #1, with our rookie super genius Iron-heroine quickly realizing the limitations of her cobbled together armor, sans a properly efficient AI, but it is the fascinating glimpse into Riri’s formative years that really forms the backbone of the issue.

Bendis skilfully intercuts the present-day events with some especially moving flashbacks to drive the narrative, highlighting some of the stark parallels and difficulties associated with being a super genius, while the more powerful themes and their heartbreaking aftermath resonates strongly on every level. Even though we’ve known Riri Williams for a while now, this issue really expands our knowledge of the character in ways that few could’ve predicted, and it makes Riri’s debut here feel all the more impressive as she sets out to make her presence felt in the Marvel Universe!

Stefano Caselli’s artwork conveys the finer nuances of Bendis’ script beautifully. Page layouts are keenly structured to match the emotional beats of the story and the characters are all defined in the highest detail. The scene between the young Riri and her new friend Natalie are wonderfully staged. There’s tragedy and heartbreak for Riri too, and Caselli’s art makes you feel like you are there with Riri every step of the way as her life unfolds before you. The fight with Animax is also good, but it is what transpires directly afterwards that probably resonates the most – with its gun crushing finality grittily polarizing the impact of the flashbacks in our minds eye. Color artist Marte Gracia employs bright, vibrant palette of colors throughout, nicely complementing Stefano Caselli’s artwork with a blend of rich shades and tones to bring added highlights to virtually every scene.

The issue rounds off with a great scene between Riri and her mother that effectively brings Riri’s story full circle. As for Tony Stark..? Well, he might not be around anymore, but you know Tony, he has a knack of thinking of contingencies for everything!

I must admit, as much as I love the character of Riri Williams, I was a little sceptical about her taking over as the lead character in Invincible Iron Man. I’m pleased to say that Brian Michael Bendis has won me over once again with his superb storytelling and characterization skills. One thing that shines through is the sheer hope and optimism Riri Williams brings to the title, which considering the events in those flashbacks, shows just what strong and delightfully positive character traits Riri Williams will bring to the Marvel Universe.

Invincible Iron Man #1 revamps the status quo and provides a confident start to Riri’s brand new adventures. Even though I’m sure Tony Stark will return as Iron Man eventually, we can rest assured that the legacy of Iron Man is in safe hands, so here’s hoping that Riri Williams will be around for a long time to come.

Publisher: Marvel

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: Stefano Caselli

Color Artist Marte Gracia / VC’s Clayton Cowles Letterer

Follow @paul_bowler