REVIEW: Iron Man #1

[CBR News]

No longer Invincible, "Iron Man" #1 by Kieron Gillen and Greg Land pits the armored Avenger against a weapon as dangerous as he is, as Marvel NOW! begins its launch.


Full article here.

[sage6paths]

The story was o.k. but I think everyone already knows this but the art is still horrendous as ever. Too expensive for a copy and past artwork.

[Desaad]

I was hugely disappointed in this.

The story wasn't offensively bad or anything, just a bit of a limp noodle. It didn't FEEL cutting edge, it wasn't kinetic, it wasn't even smart or characterful. Gillen looks like he'll need a little time to find his legs on this one, but I'm willing to give it to him. Still, compared to Fraction's start this was a huge disappointment.

Land is atrocious, and I hate to be one of 'those guys' but really this is the first I've noticed how horrible it is. Not only are all the usual problems with inconsistent character models, lack of dynamicism, crap layouts, inappropriate facial expressions, inarticulate storytelling, etc all there, but man...it was just UGLY. I just found the characters to be ugly, the backgrounds to be sparse, and the set pieces/technology to be utterly boring.

Bummer. Hugely bummed, actually.

[mystery_saw]

I almost bought this issue from the Marvel App. Almost did. I knew Land was on pencils, but I thought I could get over that. Looking at the preview, I decided not to pick it up. Which sucks, because I'm slowly getting on board the Gillen train, and I would have liked to see his take on Iron Man, but Land kills it for me.

[rogerio]

Worst Artist Ever!

[Xothermic]

I don't think I've ever seen stiffer artwork in a comic book. The fight scene near the end was a total joke. I think the whole book is badly executed all-around to be honest.

[sage6paths]

I swear I think Land just has a database of the same models in the same poses and just draws over it. I can't say how many times I have seen the finger-nail to the mouth scene.

[Prof. Warren]

I dug it. Very solid first issue. Nothing mind-blowing but did exactly what a good introductory issue should do: it set the stage in a clean, understandable way for new readers. Everything you need to know about Tony Stark and his world is elegantly explained and yet doesn't feel awkwardly expositional for readers already up to speed on all things Iron Man. Gillen's script is smart and snappy with a hint of gravitas (loved Tony's line "You can realize your dream. As long as it has enough nightmare in it.") while Land's art is as it's always been. Which is not such a bad thing, in my eyes. It's not for everybody but it makes a sensible fit with Tony's sleek, glamourous, tech-heavy world. If all Land did was cut and paste and if that were so easy, all of his critics ought to have jobs illustrating monthlies at Marvel by now. The fact that they don't suggests that Land actually has some talent - even if his style may not be to everyone's taste.

All in all, I'm looking forwards to more Iron Man from this team. It promises to be much better than what was - to me - a slightly sluggish Fraction run.

[Crist_Freak]

The story was ok, but the art was really dissapointing. Larroca maybe become a little repetitive sometimes, but at least he can draw background. Land draws nothing of background it all, and the girls always with over sexualized poses.

[stussyjones]

I hate when characters smile in lands art smh

[Crist_Freak]

I swear I think Land just has a database of the same models in the same poses and just draws over it. I can't say how many times I have seen the finger-nail to the mouth scene.

And always choose skinny women, how about some women with a waist and ass for a change?

[SJNeal]

I hate to kick a book while it's down, but yeah...

I had high hopes that the good (Gillen) would outweigh the bad (Land), but that just wasn't the case. And in an age when $3.99 is Marvel's new norm, I can't afford to give books too long of a leash.

[Imraith Nimphais]

"Gillen knows how to write to the artist's strength"...It's The Tracer...wot frakkin' strength? LOL

If this is so...prepare yourselves for major suckage from here on out.

"the artist's strength"...LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO L.

[cookepuss]

I hate to jump on the bashwagon, but Land's work makes me cringe every time I see it. Marvel can't be blind to the unbridled hate people seem to have for his lightboxed pr0n. If people are going to buy Iron Man then it's because of Gillen not Land. The art looks pretty, but also pretty stiff and recycled. One has to wonder if he actually has any solid cartooning skills still left in him or if he sacrificed them in the same Faustian pact once performed by Liefeld. Shockingly, I'd actually rank Land below Liefeld. Liefeld is terrible, but at least he doesn't trace girly mags.

Not a bad issue. Not a great one either. I was really hoping to see what Tony had been up to after the last series ended. No build up to the new armor either. Very disappointed by that. Very much not in the classic Iron Man style. Not such a fan that Pepper has been demoted back to being his girl Friday again, albeit with a CEO title. Kinda liked her as Rescue.

[Dr. Sonic]

I don't mind Land's work when its paneled correctly and fits with the story. t tends to be static and the photoreferencing a bit over the top - but it can be fun to look at.
But what's drawing me to this title, the reason I'm looking forward to picking it up later this afternoon, is KG's writing.
Outside of RDJ's charming performance in the films, Stark has remained a character I don't particularly like. It's going to be interesting to see if KG's skills can alter this.