Taking the new suit for a test drive.
Invincible Iron Man #1 was a decent but unremarkable start to the Armored Avenger’s newest ongoing series. Luckily, issue #2 showcases more of the creative team are capable of with this new status quo. This second chapter is a more action-packed, more focused and generally more exciting way to ring in this new era for Tony Stark.
This is all despite the fact that the first half of the issue is very dialogue-driven and fairly exposition heavy. There’s definitely a sense that Brian Bendis is laying the groundwork for a lot of future stories with the conversation between Tony and the the apparently rejuvenated Victor Von Doom. However, Bendis prevents this scene from becoming tedious by laying on a thick layer of humor (especially with the interplay between Tony and FRIDAY). It also helps that there’s an undercurrent of danger to this scene. Tony is perpetually on guard for a sneak attack or some sort of betrayal from his age-old foe, and that lends a nice sense of tension to these pages.
The book picks up steam as the focus shifts from Doom to Madame Masque. It’s difficult to see how the two threads are connected, though it seems hard to imagine it’s mere coincidence that the two antagonists in this storyline are both characterized by vanity and a compulsion to hide their facial disfigurements. There’s a mystery brewing here, and this issue is good about adding fuel to the fire. It’s also somewhat better about showcasing Tony’s sleek new armor in action. Though the issue as a whole is very dialogue-focused, a pair of key scenes illustrate how the armor can be used as both a blatant show of force and a subtle tool.
As with issue #1, artist David Marquez has no trouble keeping the book visually dynamic regardless of subject matter. This is easily one of the most attractive books on the stands – full of slick, sexy characters and cinematic presentation. But there’s also a terrific sense of emotion to Marquez’s figures. Even Madame Masque, whose face is never fully revealed, displays a clear range of emotions through her posture and body language. Marquez is exactly the sort of storyteller you need for a book about characters who hide behind masks and armors.
Invincible Iron Man’s first issue was slightly disappointing, which is why it’s good to see the new series quickly building steam in its second chapter. While this issue focuses a little too much on dialogue, it builds a clear sense of tension and explores the relationships between Tony, Doom and Madame Masque well. And Marquez’s art shines regardless of location or characters.
