A Spider-Man Podcast

Invincible Iron Man #4 – REVIEW

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Like many other Spider-Man fans, I must admit that the main reason I picked up a copy of Invincible Iron Man #4 was because I saw that Spidey’s former flame, Mary Jane, was featured on the cover. Prior to reading this particular issues, I had only read Invincible Iron Man #1, not because I disliked that debut issue, but due to lack of time and funds available to invest in series outside of Spider-Man. That said, I’m willing to make an exception when a publisher gives a favorite character of mine the cover image, a variant cover, and releases interviews discussing how important the character will be to the story.

INVIM2015004-int2-2-7d083So let me start with the positives, which begin with the plain fact that I really enjoy everything I’ve read of Brian Michael Bendis’s new Invincible Iron Man. The artwork of David Marquez and the coloring of Justin Ponsor are phenomenal, some of the best I’ve seen from the post-“Secret Wars” comics (longtime readers of Ultimate Spider-Man can quickly attest to this truth). Bendis’s narrative continues Tony Stark’s search for Madame Mask from the first issue and starts with our iron-clad hero hosting a “moonlight ninja fight beach party” (Friday’s words, not mine) with a large group of “biotech ninjas” (Tony’s words, not mine).

If the first half of the comic book is all action, the second half is all heart. Tony is busy tending to business as usual when he’s reminded that he’s supposed to be visiting sick children at St. Jude’s. Of course, he feels he’s too busy, but after being reprimanded first by his A.I. girl, Friday, and then by himself, recorded from three days prior (it seems even Tony, himself, knows he’s a bit of a douche) he caves and it’s off the hospital.

That’s when we get to meet the real-life hero, 5-year-old Max Levy, diagnosed with Hemophilia A, a genetic deficiency that effects his blood’s ability to clot and increases bleeding. Max’s family nicknamed him “Iron Max” when he got a port in his chest, similar to Tony Stark’s arc reactor, as part of his treatment. Being a parent of a child who has had to have a port put in, I’m fully aware exactly what that entails and it is not easy. I also know what it means for children who are dealing with this type of thing at a young age to have their dreams come true. And what kid wouldn’t dream of being in a comic book with their favorite superhero? It’s amazing to me that Marvel came through for a real kid in such a novel way, especially this early into a new comic’s run.

Oh… and MJ shows up in this issue, too… in the last few pages… Yes, despite being front, center and solo on the cover she only has a sum total of seven panels of her, including one of her lower back and one super-wide shot (who’s counting?). Not what I was expecting when the preview came out a while back.

INVIM2015004-int2-3-8a7c9Regardless, it’s nice to see her again in the Marvel Universe. The last time we saw her, was way back in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #1, as she ignored a text from Peter and declared that she was moving on to a new life, separate from his shenanigans. Apparently, she’s moved her “Jackpot” nightclub to Chicago in hopes of getting away from all of the “super-powering criminals, crooks and vigilantes…”

Unfortunately, the plan doesn’t work out too well for her as Madame Mask shows up and begins to demolish the place. “Luckily,” Iron Man and a newly reformed (and reformatted) Dr. Doom show up to take her down in the last panel. I suspect that the former Mrs. Peter Parker is going to be making a call to her insurance company in the near future, if not immediately.

I am definitely going to be coming back for more Iron Man (as well as picking up the previous two issues to catch up) and not just for MJ. While Spider-fans will likely be disappointed by the small, if over-advertised, appearance of the character, Invincible Iron Man #4 more than makes up for it with a great deal of action and some truly wonderful, heartwarming moments.

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