Written by James Robinson
Art by Marcio Takara; Esther Sanz; & VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Paul Rivoche & Esther Sanz
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Spyder-Man No More,” this August 2015 issue from Marvel Comics depicts a Stark technology-dominated alternate reality located on the Secret Wars’ Battleworld. In a New York City refashioned as ‘Technopolis,’ an armored Spyder-Man is ominously pursued by Wilson Fisk’s flying goon squad. Feared as a whistleblower, Spyder-Man is targeted for elimination. Later that night, a troubled Tony “Iron Man” Stark confides at home to Pepper Potts his shaky inability to remember when Technopolis didn’t exist, or when all people didn’t need armor to survive. He also speaks of an idyllic dream of his childhood with brother Arno.
While Grand High Marshal James “Thor” Rhodes receives some grim news, Tony is unable to convince friendly rival and surrogate ‘niece’ Kiri Oshira to join forces. Kiri and Tony trade worries about his brother Arno’s nefarious intentions, unaware that Arno is secretly eavesdropping. When James summons Kiri for info about her boyfriend, Peter Urich, he is staring at a mutilated corpse.
Note: Images of the multiple variant covers aren’t included, but here are the credited artists: Vanesa Del Rey & Rico Renzi; Pasqual Ferry & Chris Sotomayor; Marcos Martin; Steve Pugh & Guru-eFX; and David LaFuente & John Rauch.
REVIEW:
Peddling another alternate reality where Stark technology has gone amok, this series opener’s only surprises pertain to the variations made to a few characters. For instance, the idea of James Rhodes assuming the code-name of “Thor” only in Doom’s presence is a bit intriguing, though his physical appearance here too closely resembles that of John Henry Irons’ Steel in DC’s Superman gallery of characters. An armored (or cyborg) ‘Spyder-Man’ is also mildly interesting, but his potential contribution is abruptly halted.
Otherwise, there aren’t any other elements that readers haven’t seen before in this practically clichéd scenario. Though the artwork is solid enough, Armor Wars # 1 is at best a decent read. Writer James Robinson’s work here just doesn’t seem inspired, let alone exciting enough to justify multiple variant covers.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Curiously, the credits are given a two-page spread midway through the comic. The last page includes a cover reveal for Armor Wars # 2.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
