Iron Man: Inevitable *Spoilers*

[Young Avenger]

I'm no good with issue summaries so bare with me

Tony is meeting with two engineers in a lab at New York harbor attempting to sell him an illegal laser system. Tony was late for the Abbott Foundation charity fundraiser for the children 3rd world countries so he told the them he'll come back for it later. Tony goes to the charity fundraiser and meet Mr & Mrs. Abbott. He stays to talk to them for a while until he gets a call on his cell phone. Cut to a scene at the harbor, the two engineers get attacked by Iron man. Two security robots became active and fight Iron man. Iron Man disposes of the robots easily and capture the engineers. It turns out that it was apart of a sting by S.H.E.I.L.D to arrest the two engineers as they been selling illegal tech to seveal people. S.H.E.I.L.D took everything the engineers had expect the laser system. Iron Man told the woman who lead the string that Tony only agreed to take part in it so he can analyze the laser system. Cut to Stark International where Tony meets Dr. Maggie Dillion. Dr. Dillion specializes in Superhuman Psychiatric theory and Tony needs her skills to help someone. In the laser system system Iron Man gotten from the string contain the human consciousness of The Living Laser. His consciousness is within the partivle system and he wants Dr. Dillion to try to rehabilitate him. Dr. Dillion doesn't think shes up to the task because this sort of problem isn't in her field. Tony believes that she can help him and he leaves as he has another appointment to go to. Cut to Mr and Mrs.Abbott house where Mr. Abbott is wearing his Spymaster costume. He does into a room where he talks to his partner who cannot be seen. Spymaster begins to talk with him about his plans of Industrial Espionage. He also tells him that he is familiar with the target. The person he is talking to is Iron Man's old enemy The Ghost. Ghost ask Spymaster what he wants him to do and the issue ends.

[kalorama]

I picked this book up out of curiosity, as I hadn't read I.M. in years (not since the first few issues of the post "Hereoes Reborn" reboot). I wasn't expecting much, but man was I surprised. This was really good. Nothing earth-shatteringly unique or innovative. just good old-fashioned smart comic storytelling. I liked it so much I may actually break with my "wait fot the trade" policy on all things marvel (except Spider-Girl) and pick up the monthlies.

Nice work all around.

[Shellhead]

I thought that Ghost killed Spymaster, and then Ghost died in a subsequent battle with Iron Man. Are these new characters in these old identities?

[Ultraman Max]

Picked this up because I really like what Casey's been doing on Godland and enjoyed the art in Klarion The Witchboy. This felt a bit more subdued than either of those titles and while a decent read was a bit on the dull side for me. I'm hoping things will pick up soon as I rather liked the rendering of Iron Man here.

[Haunt]

I thought that Ghost killed Spymaster, and then Ghost died in a subsequent battle with Iron Man. Are these new characters in these old identities?

looks like it. unless Mr Abbott is the same guy who graduated from Taskmaster's academy to the role of Spymaster. and i'm almost certain that the new ghost is female. i'm guessing it's that female SHIELD agent who Tony was talking to. she made the comment about Tony stubbornly maintaining his 'secret identity.' i just have a feeling, from some of the ghost's poses and lack of muscle, that it's a she.

[Silver_Centurion]

The Ghost didn't die. His last apperence was back in Iron Man 43 or so during the first apprence of the S.K.I.N armor. Ghost tried to kill Iron Man with a phased hand into the heart trick but Iron Man had rigged his armor so it would knock the Ghost out instead.

I hope Joe Casey has read Iron Man:Bad Blood because the new Spymaster appeared there as well. Iron Man crushed his hand in a fit of rage because he was suffering from these nanomachines that made him really agressive. I hope he brings that up when they eventually have their inevitable(har) showdown.

[VisionNick]

I dont have any in-depth analysis of Iron Man: Inevitable but I just read it, and loved it. I'm not sure why, but in my opinion there are very few creators that seem to get Iron Man, especially after David Micheline and Bob Layton are mentioned.

But, add Joe Casey to that short list, because he gets Iron Man, and it shows. Plus, I loved seeing the Ghost and Spymaster again, and it seems like we'll be getting the Living Laser too! Great stuff, and tremendous art by Frazier Irving also. His visuals elevated the book to another level, as they were always interesting. I also especially loved the coloring job too. Just a great book. I hope that this level of quality continues for the future issues.

[Dizzy D]

I really loved the first issue as well: old villains (even if a new person may be under the mask) like Spymaster, the Ghost and the Living Laser. I like Tony trying to save the Living Laser any way he can.
So the big question seems to be: Who is in the armour? From Iron Man's reactions during the fight it didn't seem to be automated or remote-controlled.

[Young Avenger]

So the big question seems to be: Who is in the armour? From Iron Man's reactions during the fight it didn't seem to be automated or remote-controlled.

It's Tony in the armour. He's trying to get his secret ID back by convincing the general public and S.H.E.I.L.D that a highly quailtied test pliot is using the armour now.

[Dizzy D]

It's Tony in the armour. He's trying to get his secret ID back by convincing the general public and S.H.E.I.L.D that a highly quailtied test pliot is using the armour now.

Look at the timing: Iron Man attacks the weapondealers at the same time Tony Stark is at the fundraiser: you see him sending the coordinates to Iron Man with his mobile phone.

[Will.S]

Look at the timing: Iron Man attacks the weapondealers at the same time Tony Stark is at the fundraiser: you see him sending the coordinates to Iron Man with his mobile phone.
Nah, it's definitely Stark.

Chalk it up to "passage of time".

[Dizzy D]

Nah, it's definitely Stark.

Chalk it up to "passage of time".

Rereading the scene: yeah, you are probably right. It's the repetition of that "coordinates located" message that throws the timing off for me.

[sschroeder]

Iron Man: The Inevitable # 2 (of 6) - Blind Dates

Summary:

Spymaster goes into some history. It is news to Ghost that Stark and Iron Man are the same person, and that is basically enough to get him to join the plan to abscond the laser system from Stark for free.

Dr. Dillon continues trying to communicate with Living Laser inside the laser system. It is taking a serious toll on her, but she is ever more determined to continue.

Ghost breaks into Stark and is soon enough face to face with Tony himself. Confrontation and chaos ensue, and they are seperated. A remote controlled Iron Man appearance is easily dealt with by some sticky or magnetic discs that short out the whole unit. Ghost may or may not believe IM is dead at this point, but an impending full security lock down gives him impetus to depart... for now.


Comments:

I'm still enjoying the technique of the emails and text messages between Dillon and Stark. Nice to see a comic embracing that we all pretty much use email and cell phones now. Tony is busy doing IM stuff or business, and yet can still interact with Dillon on her project. There's no way they should ever go to any smaller print in those text boxes though. Fine enough as they are, but no smaller please.

I like the art. Except Tony looks a little odd to me once in a while. Not really a big deal though. I thought the cover was especially cool on this one. Decent use of color schemes to help indicate flashbacks or scene changes.

Looking forward to the next issue. I'm wondering how what we know of the story so far is going to take up 6 issues at this point, as opposed to say 4 or so, but so far so good.


Predictions:

Maybe Living Laser will take over Dillon's body at some point? Hmm...

[Will.S]

Iron Man: The Inevitable # 2 (of 6) - Blind Dates

Summary:

Spymaster goes into some history. It is news to Ghost that Starke and Iron Man are the same person, and that is basically enough to get him to join the plan to abscond the laser system from Starke for free.

Dr. Dillon continues trying to communicate with Living Laser inside the laser system. It is taking a serious toll on her, but she is ever more determined to continue.

Ghost breaks into Starke and is soon enough face to face with Tony himself. Confrontation and chaos ensue, and they are seperated. A remote controlled Iron Man appearance is easily dealt with by some sticky or magnetic discs that short out the whole unit. Ghost may or may not believe IM is dead at this point, but an impending full security lock down gives him impetus to depart... for now.


Comments:

I'm still enjoying the technique of the emails and text messages between Dillon and Starke. Nice to see a comic embracing that we all pretty much use email and cell phones now. Tony is busy doing IM stuff or business, and yet can still interact with Dillon on her project. There's no way they should ever go to any smaller print in those text boxes though. Fine enough as they are, but no smaller please.

I like the art. Except Tony looks a little odd to me once in a while. Not really a big deal though. I thought the cover was especially cool on this one. Decent use of color schemes to help indicate flashbacks or scene changes.

Looking forward to the next issue. I'm wondering how what we know of the story so far is going to take up 6 issues at this point, as opposed to say 4 or so, but so far so good.


Predictions:

Maybe Living Laser will take over Dillon's body at some point? Hmm...
Felt exactly the same way. I fairly enjoyed #2 so it's getting much better with things picking up more while #1 felt merely lukewarm.

Loved the Spymaster/Ghost conversation and Ghost successfully kicking IM's ass (even if it was remote operated). Dr. Dillon's and Living Lazer's conversations and interactions all felt sort of like the Lawnmower man in a way and the text messenging was indeed a cool way of progressing their stories. You can tell that Casey's getting a kick out of using Tony's secret ID again by having Tony go in and out of the armor when a situation comes up.

Frazer Irving's art is truly terrific, he could almost replace Adi Granov with how great his stuff looks as well as having a good timely schedule on top of that.

7/10

[Babylon23]

I'm really enjoying this series, much more than the "regular" Iron Man series at the moment. I love Spymaster and the Ghost, so I'm happy to see them as the main villains here. Irving's artwork is excellent.

[Sharcque]

I dunno guys...I think this art is comparable to New Invaders. Tony looks like some short, fat guy and Spymaster & Ghost look like 2 guys that should be fencing. Don't get me wrong --- I really dig Iron Man's classic villains, but this just ain't doing it for me. But, damn the completist in me, I'll finish the series! :p

[Haunt]

i quite enjoyed the latest issue. it wasn't anything deep; just good ol' superhero vs supervillain. well i guess there was some psychoanalysis in it as well. Kid Laser was so cute. too bad about the good doctor. hope she had insurance. Iron Man has always had the coolest rogue's gallery imo. it's good to see the writers exploiting that.

[Babylon23]

I'm really enjoying this series. Actually, its the only series that I think is handling Iron Man well at the moment. I hope Joe Casey writes more Iron Man stories in the future.

[Ironflak]

I'm enjoying Iron Man: The Inevitable as well. Iron Man seemed to fall by the wayside at Marvel several years ago. I'm so happy that Ellis' and Granov's Extremis story is finally complete. I thought it was fantastic. I'm even happier that Iron Man will now be monthly again starting with issue 7!

I like how Bendis has made Tony Stark/Iron Man a significant mover and shaker in the Marvel universe in both New Avengers and in the Illuminati. I'm really looking forward to how things develop between Stark and Peter Parker and how things go down during and after Civil War. This is a really exciting time for me and I like how all these events (House of M, Decimation, Illuminati, Planet Hulk, Annihilation, Civil War, the return of Thor, etc.) are playing out. Marvel finally seems to have a master plan with regard to their universe, unlike the garbage days of the mid- to late-nineties when the chief and group editors were completely inept. ("We want to keep focus on the next X-Men event, so artificially extend the Clone Saga another 6 months.")

[Haunt]

To-NY is definately a mover and shaker, now. looks like he might lose some friends the more power he grabs, though. and what's going to happen to Stark Stock once he reveals his identity a second time?

[scratchie]

I'm enjoying it. The story is good and the art is beautiful.

[Vegetarian Goat]

I think i'd pee my pants if this became an ongoing.

[garin]

I think this series is really dragging, actually. A heck of a lot more happens in four issues of even New Avengers.

[MrBeebs37]

I was kind of hoping that the girl, whose name escapes me right now, was going to become a female Iron Man. Once Tony designed a special armor for her, I thought it was sure bet and definetly something that I'm surprised hasn't been done before (has it?). It seems now like she might be a female Living Lazer instead, which while less exciting, at least plays like a nice curveball.

I do hope that her character makes it out of the mini-series in one piece though as she's been a welcome breath of fresh air in what has been to me, a rather stale concept for a good long while. Never gotten the appeal of Iron Man to be honest, but this mini is going a long way in making me see some potential. Here's hoping the Casey has a solid ending in him.

[Young Avenger]

I'm enjoying Iron Man; the Inevitable. I think it's a good story. The only thing I find wrong with it is that it reads like it should have been in the Iron Man ongoing.

[Haunt]

I think this series is really dragging, actually. A heck of a lot more happens in four issues of even New Avengers.


well, if you're reading New Avengers, we can chalk this up to your bad taste.


I was kind of hoping that the girl, whose name escapes me right now, was going to become a female Iron Man. Once Tony designed a special armor for her, I thought it was sure bet and definetly something that I'm surprised hasn't been done before (has it?).


Bethany Cabe wore the armor for awhile. and i think, at least, one other female wore it.


It seems now like she might be a female Living Lazer instead, which while less exciting, at least plays like a nice curveball.


looks more like she "rebirthed" the original Living Laser; helped him get out of his cycle of self-loathing and back into good old fashioned villainy. i, for one, am glad. i liked Arthur Parks.

[The Sentry]

Loving Joe Casey's Iron Man !
Good to see Spymaster and the Living Laser again.
Great art by Fraser Irving.

Marvel should get these guys to do Iron Man, although I'm looking forward to the Knauf's take, as well. Be interesting to see the Carnivale guys play with the Iron Man mythos.

[Haunt]

Loving Joe Casey's Iron Man !
Good to see Spymaster and the Living Laser again.
Great art by Fraser Irving.

Marvel should get these guys to do Iron Man, although I'm looking forward to the Knauf's take, as well. Be interesting to see the Carnivale guys play with the Iron Man mythos.

i'm not a huge fan of the art but i'm kind of excited as well. it seems like it's in the same vein as Iron Man Inevitable; bringing back new versions of Iron Man's old enemies. i think that's when Iron Man is at his best; fighting enemies that aren't high concept like Extremis.

[RandomRapidResponse]

I'm really enjoying this series. Actually, its the only series that I think is handling Iron Man well at the moment. I hope Joe Casey writes more Iron Man stories in the future.

I agree wholeheartidly, it was definately nice to see Iron Man handling up rather than being handled--Illuminati anyone? I did enjoy the Extremis storyline as well, but although I wasn't initially won over by the Inevitable artwork- I really fell for the storyline.

[RandomRapidResponse]

I'm really enjoying this series. Actually, its the only series that I think is handling Iron Man well at the moment. I hope Joe Casey writes more Iron Man stories in the future.

I agree wholeheartidly, it was definately nice to see Iron Man handling up rather than being handled--Illuminati anyone? I did enjoy the Extremis storyline as well, but although I wasn't initially won over by the Inevitable artwork- I really fell for the storyline.

[jackolover]

I bought this and I couldn't figure out what was going on. This book was before thr time of first page summaries. Could someone please give me a short rundown? What was that demon thing, and how did Spymaster try to defeat Tony Stark?

Was this 3rd Spymaster the same one killed in Iron Man #14?

[Monty_Cristo]

I bought this and I couldn't figure out what was going on. This book was before thr time of first page summaries. Could someone please give me a short rundown? What was that demon thing, and how did Spymaster try to defeat Tony Stark?

Was this 3rd Spymaster the same one killed in Iron Man #14?

the "demon thing" was Living Laser, an old Stark enemy who became an energy being after an experiment gone wrong. Stark was keeping him contained so that an unconventional psychotherapist could possibly help him reform. and this was a brand new Spymaster who had his predecessor murdered in prison. Spymaster was just playing mind games with Stark; using the Ghost to break into Stark's company and free Living Laser.

[jackolover]

the "demon thing" was Living Laser, an old Stark enemy who became an energy being after an experiment gone wrong. Stark was keeping him contained so that an unconventional psychotherapist could possibly help him reform. and this was a brand new Spymaster who had his predecessor murdered in prison. Spymaster was just playing mind games with Stark; using the Ghost to break into Stark's company and free Living Laser.

Thanks for the rundown, Monty. Was this also the same Spymaster killed in Iron Man #14?

[Monty_Cristo]

Thanks for the rundown, Monty. Was this also the same Spymaster killed in Iron Man #14?

remind me, again, what happened in Iron Man # 14? if this is when Happy was near-fatally injured, Spymaster didn't die. far as i know, Sinclair Abbott (the latest Spymaster) is still alive and out there plotting or something.

[jackolover]

remind me, again, what happened in Iron Man # 14? if this is when Happy was near-fatally injured, Spymaster didn't die. far as i know, Sinclair Abbott (the latest Spymaster) is still alive and out there plotting or something.

Yes, that's it. There is a debate as to whether Spymaster lived or not in that story. Thanks for clearing that up.