Iron Man #6 Review

The first arc of this new series did just enough to keep me interested in this book. In fact, if it was not Iron Man then I would have dropped it by now. I did not even think that #6 would appeal to me, with the new direction and all, however I am now glad that I did not decide to drop it. Gillen has written a very humorous book here, that was actually a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.

This issue mainly focuses on Tony and his attempts to sleep with some kind of alien woman. Things end badly with this, and a twist at the end shows us that Tony is is a situation that he never thought would be possible. In three lines I have pretty much summed up this issue, so surely that means this issue was bad? No not at all. It was enjoyable, and I felt that it flowed a whole lot better than any of previous five issues of this series. It is clear that Gillen is starting to get into the flow with Iron Man, and I hope that this continues.

One thing that impressed me in this issue was how well developed this alien race were considering this was the first issue they appeared in. We still do not know an amazing amount, but we have learned quite a lot from just one issue. I am now interested in them, and I got even more interested in them when I found out who their dead god is.

This was not a perfect issue, and there are the same flaws in this issue that I have found in the previous ones. The book goes by far too quickly. I do not want a dialogue heavy book as that would go against the tone that is being made here, however I think there could be slightly more content included. This issue flowed better than others, as I mentioned before, so maybe we are going to see more packed issues in the future.
I am also still not a massive fan of the art by Greg Land. I do not think it is half as bad as people say it is, but I think this book would really benefit from a different style completely. I can understand why Land has been chosen as Tony is one of the biggest draws for Marvel, and his style is simple and does not over complicate things; which may have put readers off.

Overall, this a lot better from Gillen, and I am hoping for more of the same during the rest of this arc. I went into this issue waiting for an excuse to drop this series, and by the last panel I was certain that I would be picking up #7 when it hits the shelves.
This issue really should have been #1, but it still works as a great jumping on point for new readers. Lets hope that the development of this new race, as well as the character development of Tony, keep going in the same direction as in this issue.

Rating: 7.25 / 10

Iron Man #5

I like this title. Admittedly its not the best Marvel NOW title out and I am feeling slightly underwhelmed by it all, but it is decent enough. Each issue of this series is doing just enough to make me want to buy the next and I guess that is something that comic books are about.

This issue saw the end of the first story arc which ended in Iron Man finally getting all the Extremis kits which were sold on the black market. The issue itself was pretty good, but I was expecting something a bit bigger considering this was the LAST Extremis pack he had to collect. Tony even stated he was saving it until last, so I thought that there was going to be some pretty major drama. However, this part of the issue ended like most of his collecting missions have done; underwhelmingly.

What was interesting was the final third of this issue where this series has taken a completely unexpected turn. As I mentioned in my intro, it has made me want to read more, which is a good thing. It has also made this whole story arc feel like it has been one big introduction to Iron Man, which may turn out to be a great idea. There may have been a lot of new fans jumping on this title with #1, so the first arc has been a little simple. I enjoy Gillen's work so I am trusting him with this and hope that his plan is how I expect to be; which is to really kick on in the next arc.

I am sticking with this book because I love Tony Stark. I am probably going to stick with this book regardless of the quality. As I have said, it is not TERRIBLE, it is just not how I would like it to be. This book seems to be coming out every couple of weeks, so I guess it is a matter of time before we know where this series is going. Will it be happy to stay being medicore, or will it try for something more? I know what I want from it.


Rating: 7 / 10

Indestructible Hulk #2 Review

My second Mark Waid review of the week. He has done great things on Daredevil and he promised to do the same thing with this character too. I really enjoyed issue #1, so I was very eager to read this when I picked it up. It is a strange one because this issue feels like a filler issue, however it is still enjoyable and is what I consider to be a very solid book.

In this issue we were introduced to Tony Stark as he made an appearance to see what the hell was going on with Banner, and why he has decided to do good with his life. I really enjoyed the interactions between these two characters in this issue, and I really enjoyed the eventual mini battle that they were involved in. The art made the battle look scrappy and quite confused, but I think that was the perfect way to show it. These two know each other very well and the battle has a very personal feel to it that I really liked.

Apart from that not too much happened in this issue, but you get the impression after reading it that the first real story arc will begin next issue. Waid has spent the first two issues making readers interested in a character who tends to get overlooked, so I am more than happy with how these first two issues have gone. I also love the artwork in this book, but I hope all battles don't look as confusing as this one and the one in the previous issue. I mentioned it working in this battle between The Hulk and Iron Man, but it cant work for every fight scene with any characters.

I am enjoying this book immensely and cant wait for the next issue. I said in my review of #1 that I think this is The Hulk book that I have been waiting for and I still think that is the case. Waid has done such a great job with Daredevil to make him interesting and relevant again, and I have complete faith in him in doing the same thing here. I am just very eager to read the first proper story arc to get more of a feel of the character, and whatever villains Waid decides to pit him up against.

Rating:  8 / 10

Avengers #2 Review

This series is going to be epic. You can tell that already after reading the first two issues. Jonathan Hickman is building something here that should not be missed. It feels very refreshing compared to other Avenger related titles of late, and is something that I want to read more of instantly after putting an issue down.

In this issue the story goes backwards and forwards between the Avengers held captive on Mars and Captain America and Iron Man building an extended team to rescue them and defeat the new villains. This could have easily been two issues which may have been an easier way for Hickman to tell this story. However, he has gone for the harder route, but he has definitely conquered it. The way this issue flowed was terrific, and it still has that epic movie feel which I liked so much about issue one.

I really enjoyed hearing more from the new villains who are holding Earths mightiest heroes on Mars. Their plan to change earth for what they see as the better, to me anyway, is a very unique idea which I enjoyed hearing the back story for.
Also, seeing the team come together was also nice. It is something that has been done before obviously, but I really enjoyed some of the character moments on show which were quite humorous; which is in contrast to what this book is.

The art was once again outstanding, and may even be better than what was on show in the first issue. It is art which I was not too familiar with going into this series, but I keep finding myself spending some time looking at certain panels and just thinking: "Wow".

All in all this is once again another great issue which is just a small part of this epic scale world that Hickman is creating. I find myself looking forward to the next issue; which I am sure will be great due to what I believe may be a big battle between the extended team and these bad guys. I am sure the art will also flourish if the next issue is built in that way. If you are an Avengers fan then you really need to check this book out. One of the books of the week for sure.


Rating: 8.5 / 10

Comic Book Ratings

Hey there guys! I am not going to review any more books from last week now, but here are a couple of ratings from titles which I enjoyed this week. I have wrote reviews on earlier issues of these, hence why I want to include these ratings. They were also two very solid issues.

Enjoy your weekend!


Punisher War Zone: 8 / 10

Iron Man #3: 8 / 10

Avengers #1 Review

The Avengers have been very much like the Hulk for me in recent time. I have been desperate to get into an ongoing Avenger series but none have ever really stood out or done enough to keep me interested. With Marvel NOW! I thought I may as well pick this up and give it a go. All I can say after reading this issue is: "congratulations Jonathan Hickman", this may be something special...

The tone is set for this book straight away in the opening few pages. While I was reading them I honestly thought that this could have been the beginning of the Avengers film sequel. Everything feels so epic and it really grabs you from the get go. I also loved the way the story was going backwards and forwards in time in a similar fashion to the way Hawkeye has been operating. It flowed really well, and added to the epic feeling that this issue gives as a whole.
The introduction of the new villains has made me very intrigued. We are all unfamiliar with them at the moment, which I think was a great call by Bendis. I was not expecting any new villains, but I am sure happy now that we have been given some. Their plan is also of epic proportion. What is also great about them is the fact that they have not just been thwarted by the Avengers after just one issue, You really get the feeling that these guys will be sticking around for a while.

I can also honestly say that I am not too familiar with any artwork previously done by Jerome Opena; even though the name sounds slightly familiar. However, I thought that in this issue his work was absolutely stunning, and it fits this title down to the ground. Some of the panels were really just breathtaking.

Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic setup issue for what I am sure is going to be a very exciting series to keep our eyes on. I am desperate to learn more about the bad guys along with their powers, as well as seeing how our heroes escape from the predicament they have found themselves in. It is clear that Hickman is creating something here on an epic level, and it is something that I am desperate for more of. I have finally found my Avengers book.


Rating: 9.5 / 10

Iron Man #1 Review

I picked this up eagerly anticipating a change of pace from the Matt Fraction run on "Invincible Iron Man". I was a fan of the Fraction run but I missed a few issues and got behind; never really catching up. Therefore I missed out on what seems to have been a lot of Iron Man goodness. This was my chance to get back into it, and I think I may be in for the long haul.

This particular issue is pretty much a set up issue for the first arc. Not only that but it also goes some way into describing what kind of a person Tony Stark is, which is: egotistical , arrogant; all the reasons we love him basically. So this book was pretty new reader friendly. Which makes sense considering the third instalment of the film franchise is just round the corner.

Putting all these factors together, I thought that this was a really enjoyable first issue. I love the fact that Extremis is back, and I look forward to the Enhanciles that Mr Stark will be battling against in forthcoming issues. One of my only gripes with it is that I am not really too keen on how Tony looks. I cant put my finger on it, but it may be the Robert Downey Jr effect. I don't know.

With all the positives mentioned, I still find this issue pretty hard to rate. It is a great set up issue, but it was a pretty thin read with not a great deal really happening. Saying that, I did think it had a good pace to it though compared to the slow burn of Fraction. You can tell this book is going to be full of action, and that is what is bringing me back for the next issue. Yes the issue was good; but it was not amazing. However, it has got me invested in the series  for future issues, which is what the first issue should be doing right?
If you have any interest in Iron Man then I recommend you give this a go. If you were a massive fan of Fraction, then give it a miss.


Issue Rating: 7.5 / 10

Excitement for future issues: 8 / 10