Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Salvador Larroca; Frank D’Armata; & VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Salvador Larroca
SUMMARY:
Published by Marvel Comics for October 2010, the issue is entitled “Stark Resilient, Part 5: Predators and Prey in Their Natural Environments.” Tony Stark awkwardly squabbles with Maria Hill re: his recent problems before he and James “Rhodey” Rhodes collect Pepper Potts from her stay at an Oklahoma hospital.
Now possessing a surgically-implanted, chest repulsor electromagnet like Tony’s, Pepper exuberantly returns to the skies taking her upgraded Rescue armor for a test flight. While Tony meets up with his new support team in Seattle, Rhodey takes a humiliating dressing-down directed at both of them at the Pentagon. Justine Hammer and her sultry daughter, Sasha, continue their nefarious self-promotional tactics boosting Detroit Steel’s alleged superiority over Iron Man.
At a Seattle gala celebrating Stark Resilient’s launch, a startled Pepper watches Tony flirtatiously play himself into the hands of the two Hammers.
Note: There are three variant covers, with one a textless version of the image below. The others depict Rescue in its “Women of Marvel” promotion (one of these two Rescue covers is textless).
REVIEW:
Opting to forego action scenes, writer Matt Fraction packs in a lot of story detail – if the “Stark Resilient” storyline were a giant machine, then this issue is spinning all its sub-plot cogs at once. In that sense, Fraction coherently leaps his readers from one plot thread to the next. Yet, rather noticeably, the only armor action is Pepper’s all-too-brief sequence as Rescue, along with some revelations of what the manipulative Hammers are up to. Although Fraction’s intricate plotting works, it won’t likely engage casual readers just tuning in, as this story is geared towards the franchise’s long-time fans.
As for the visuals, the art squad puts forth an inspired effort. In particular, using the likenesses of Terence Howard and Nicole Kidman as visual references for Rhodey & Pepper makes great creative sense. The detriment, however, is that all this polished imagery can’t hide the story’s self-involved antics (i.e. Tony Stark’s playboy ego) and, even more so, a lack of action hampering Invincible Iron Man # 29.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Up front is a very helpful summary-to-date of this current storyline. There’s also a full-page cover reveal for Invincible Iron Man # 30.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
