Invincible Iron Man #5 Review

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Alex Maleev, Brian Michael Bendis, comics, David Marquez, Doctor Doom, Invincible Iron Man #5, Invincible Iron Man #5 Review, Iron Man, Justin Ponsor, Madame Masque, Marvel Comics, Mary Jane Watson, The War Machines, Tony Stark, Victor Von Doom

Invincible Iron Man #5

Review by Paul Bowler

Marvel’s new Iron Man series, written by Brian Michael Bendis, with art by David Marquez, and colors by Justin Ponsor, has ushered in a new era for Tony Stark’s life, and a brand new shape-changing suit of armor with a super efficient new A.I called Friday.

Now the first big story arc concludes in Invincible Iron Man #5, as Madame Masque’s spate of world-wide thefts of magical artefacts concludes in a showdown with Iron Man and Victor Von Doom – the former ruler of Latveria now sporting a sharp suited new look, and his face also restored – in Chicago at the new Jackpot nightclub owned by Mary Jane Watson!

Brian Michael Bendis gathers all the plot threads of the first arc together in this action packed issue as Iron Man and Victor Von Doom confront Madame Masque in Chicago on the opening night of Mary Jane’s new nightclub. The battle is fast and frenetic. This team-up between Iron Man and Doom brings a unique blend of technology and magic to the fight as they square off again Whitney, who is now possessed by demonic forces, and even Mary Jane gets to play a crucial role at a critical turning point in the showdown.

The art by David Marquez is excellent throughout, its bold, the all-out-action unfolds across the dynamic page layouts with blistering speed, and the intensity of the technology and magical energies involved is exquisitely realised by color artist Justin Ponsor. The attention to detail is staggering, especially when things go all Exorcist on us, and the resolution also has a great “facial hair bros” coda as well. Perhaps most surprisingly of all this issue is how well Tony and Victor work together as a team, and it would seem the one time ruler of Latveria may indeed be about to turn over a new leaf, I guess we shall have to wait and see.

Invincible Iron Man #5 brings the first story arc to a close in fine style. I really like the new direction this series is taking, Bendis has done a great job establishing the new status-quo and Iron Man armor, there’s even a job opportunity for Mary Jane, now that will be interesting, and the closing moments set us on course for more action-packed adventures – especially with the all-new story arc The War Machines set to begin next issue!

Publisher: Marvel / Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Art: David Marquez /Color Artist: Justin Ponsor

VC’s Clayton Cowles: Letterer & Production / Cover Artists David Marquez & Justin Ponsor

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Invincible Iron Man #2 Review

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Brian Michael Bendis, comics, David Marquez, Invincible Iron Man #2, Invincible Iron Man #2 Review, Iron Man, Justin Ponsor, Madame Masque, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Tony Stark, Victor Von Doom

Invincible Iron Man #2

Review by Paul Bowler

Invincible Iron Man #2 continues this new Marvel series, spinning out from the pages of Secret Wars, this brand new era finds Tony Stark’s life taking a whole new direction, there’s new armor, new supporting characters, and some old enemies to face as well. Following Madame Masque’s raid on Castle Doom, Iron Man travels to Latveria to investigate her criminal activities, where Tony must confront the return of his old nemesis Doctor Doom, aka Victor Von Doom – his face now miraculously restored to normal…

This new Iron Man series, written by Brian Michael Bendis, with art by David Marquez, and colors by Justin Ponsor, has already introduced Tony’s new shape-changing suit of armor, which combines all the different modes and models into one new sleek, streamlined design, and there’s a new computerised female AI system called Friday to keep his life on track. The question of who are Tony’s biological parents remains, Tony even found time to go on a date with biochemical engineer Amara Perera. Now in Invincible Iron Man #2 Tony confronts the former ruler of Latveria himself, Victor Von Doom, but this new, calm, collected, and suited and booted version also has a few magical tricks up his sleeve, and his face now all better as well.

Brian Michael Bendis engineers some terrific scenes here between Tony and Victor Von Doom, their exchanges are barbed with mistrust and sly undercurrents of humour, and it makes for some highly charged moments as they descend into the castle. Madame Masque’s plan, to steal a highly-prized mystical artefact from the castle begins to take on a whole new perspective, especially when Victor Von Doom reveals what it is that she’s actually taken, but rebel factions are closing in on the castle and before we know it the wave of a magic finger sends us off on an entirely different tangent. Bendis manages to weave these plot strands together perfectly, gradually allowing the mystery of Madame Masque’s recent spate of activities to unfold, while staging a brilliant face-off between Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom that positively crackles with tension and suspicion on both sides – but has Doom really turned over a new leaf?

The stunning clarity of David Marquez’s art brings this issue to life in exquisite detail. The panel layouts bring an almost cinematic quality to events, from the initial scenes between Iron Man and Victor in the ruined castle, the drama is enhanced further as technology and magic clash in spectacular fashion. From here we move to the shadowy remains of Doom laboratory, there’s a great collage-like page that beautifully relays Tony’s “history” with Whitney Frost, and Iron Man’s sudden return to the Bronx is a quirky scene that also sneaks in a fun comment about Tony’s new suit. The colors by Justin Ponsor are really sumptuous, brining added clarity to every scene, there are some gorgeous plays with light in the laboratory, and the shape-shifting antics of the new Iron Man suit stylishly gleams with fluid movement and deep shadows between forms.

When this issue catches up with Madame Masque in Montreal she isn’t best pleased about being lied to, after wrapping up her business here with ruthless efficiency, Whitney suddenly gets a surprise visitor… These closing moments are absolutely riveting, perhaps more so because of the emotional context of the situation and relationship between the characters, and the unexpected shock ending is sure to take you by surprise.

Invincible Iron Man #2 is another strong issue in this new series. Actually, the pace of this issue seemed to flow even better than the first, and I really liked seeing the form Tony’s new armor initially took on to face Victor Von Doom. Invincible Iron Man #2 is fast-paced, featuring a great story by Brian Michael Bendis; impressive art by David Marquez, and rich colors by Justin Ponsor, this series is one Marvel’s most impressive new titles, and well worth checking out.

Publisher: Marvel

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Art: David Marquez

Color Artist: Justin Ponsor

VC’s Clayton Cowles: Letterer & Production

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