REVIEW: Iron Man #1

[jpbl1976]

If you wanna talk sales, Gillen's UXM was Marvel's highest selling ongoing until it got canceled.

That doesn't make Gillen Marvel's best writer, though. Maybe most-saleable -- but that isn't even accurate; JiM was an excellent comic but it didn't sell nearly as well as UXM.

Also, in all-likelihood, Iron Man 1 sold well and will lead Marvel's decision-makers to ignore the internet crowd's distaste for Land's art -- which was my point to begin with. See, Marvel prefers to listen to the dollar signs rather than the critiques of bloggers and forum-posters.

Let me be clear: I like Kieron's writing -- he is one of my favorite writers -- and I've posted in the comments of his blog to tell him just that. I just don't think the distinction of being Marvel's finest writer belongs to him, necessarily. Is he better than Fraction? Definitely but I'd say that, in terms of ideas, Hickman is superior. In terms of pacing, Rucka is ahead and in terms of quippy and enjoyable dialogue, Bendis could teach him a few tricks. That doesn't mean that he's not great; just that he isn't quite the best they've got.

[TonyStark1012]

Only thing I wasn't big on(besides Land's art) was the killing on Maya Hansen. I loved the character. One of the only things I regret about Fractions run was that he didn't touch on her. The Warren Ellis created her and the Knauf's fleshed her out beautifully. To see her reappear and just get killed like that was not enjoyable for me. I really like Gillen's take on Tony and I'm looking forward to more issues. Just didn't like seeing that happen to Maya.

[sage6paths]

Only thing I wasn't big on(besides Land's art) was the killing on Maya Hansen. I loved the character. One of the only things I regret about Fractions run was that he didn't touch on her. The Warren Ellis created her and the Knauf's fleshed her out beautifully. To see her reappear and just get killed like that was not enjoyable for me. I really like Gillen's take on Tony and I'm looking forward to more issues. Just didn't like seeing that happen to Maya.

Which means she will be back.

[Paladin King]

That doesn't make Gillen Marvel's best writer, though. Maybe most-saleable -- but that isn't even accurate; JiM was an excellent comic but it didn't sell nearly as well as UXM.

Also, in all-likelihood, Iron Man 1 sold well and will lead Marvel's decision-makers to ignore the internet crowd's distaste for Land's art -- which was my point to begin with. See, Marvel prefers to listen to the dollar signs rather than the critiques of bloggers and forum-posters.

Let me be clear: I like Kieron's writing -- he is one of my favorite writers -- and I've posted in the comments of his blog to tell him just that. I just don't think the distinction of being Marvel's finest writer belongs to him, necessarily. Is he better than Fraction? Definitely but I'd say that, in terms of ideas, Hickman is superior. In terms of pacing, Rucka is ahead and in terms of quippy and enjoyable dialogue, Bendis could teach him a few tricks. That doesn't mean that he's not great; just that he isn't quite the best they've got.

Imo, as far as character-work and dialogue go, Gillen is top-notch. As far as his actual plots and their overall execution, I find him lacking. I think he's a bit similar to Paul Cornell in this regard.

[Phelpzy]

Anyone have a digital code for this they are not gonna use?

[psynetrix]

Anyone have a digital code for this they are not gonna use?

This book is so bad that even free would be too expensive.

[nathdonn]

I was not hugely disappointed as you were but my first thoughts were what is really special about this. I read a few issues of the Fraction and Larocca issues when the numbering went back to 500 and I really enjoyed those books. The "reboot" (I use the term for lack of a better one) is ho hum. Comparing this to what is going on in the Batman books, Iron Man does not stack up. I am going to give this a couple more issues but the rate Iron Man is going, I am unlikely to continue to read the book. I was not aware of the controversy with Greg Land's work but the art was not bad for me, but it was not fantastic either, more middle of the road.