Invincible Iron Man #251

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

This is the latest issue, just released today (I go digital), and I'm... I have to rant/talk/do something other than foam internally about it. We can do comic discussions here, can't we?



I"m avoiding AvX for the intense OOC I've seen, well, pretty much everyone in the Marvel universe doing there. They aren't heroes. They're not admirable. They're petty, immature little children throwing rocks at each other on the playground. I am SO SICK of heroes fighting each other, Marvel... jeeze, where the hell are the villains? Standing on the sidelines cheering?

And argh, since when is Cap STUPID. This galls me the most about every panel I've seen him in of AvX. His tactics and strategy have been BAD. Just... bad. Not-Cap. I really hope this crap is all a dream or the Phoenix Force wipes it out in a massive reset where they're all friends again or something, because, ugh, this is painful to read. okay... /AvXrantoff

Now, the one I didn't give up is Invincible Iron Man. I should have. It's awful and the art, except for the tech, is just, kinda icky. But I'm a complete sucker for Tony, even a broken, begging Tony. *mmm... begging* But... Fraction... man... are you going scorched-earth on us before you leave the book, as I hear you are post AvX? (not to mention, I see what you've been doing. re-treading old IM plots and trying to make them shiny. and failing.)

Because... 6 MONTHS?! He's been held by the Mandarin for 6 MONTHS?! and NOT A SINGLE AVENGER WENT LOOKING FOR HIM!? Um... No. This hurts my heart. So much.

( I think there's a plan. Tony has a plan, only I'm not sure exactly what it is yet, but Rhodey is doing something without talking... I'm hoping that's it, anyway. Anyone have any good ideas? Because I'm about out. >_> )

Also, when the hell does this supposedly happen in relation to AvX, Fraction? Huh? Because I think Tony is holed up in Avengers Tower at the moment (if I saw the right scans) and not being held in Southeast Asia somewhere unnamed. *headdesks*



Does anyone but me read this book anymore? I'm honestly starting to feel dirty for giving Marvel my money for this one.

Comments

[selinamoonfire.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind some begging Tony....

Um...wait that wasn't the subject of this post.

I read Fraction's Iron Man for awhile because it's like a train wreck. You KNOW it's going to be awful. You know you should look away. But you can't. But after I skimmed through some of the trades, I gave up because it would break my heart.

HOW could Tony be missing that long and NO ONE LOOK FOR HIM?!? Even if we pretend that a certain captain wouldn't be searching, SOMEONE would notice, wouldn't they? He's kind of important...

How could that even happen?

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

ungh... I may have to go write myself some plotless sub/begging porn of Steve/Tony just to get Fraction's ugly out of my head... *whimper*

[cryghylly.livejournal.com]

I still buy the book, but I'm with you on starting to feel dirty for paying to read Fraction's poorly written, snuff porn fantasy. I like Tony when he's a broken character, but ... there's never a reprieve from it. And mostly, it just doesn't make any sense! The Mandarin has been inside Tony's head and exerting some degree of control since Tony deleted himself?! Tony's been missing for six months?! I have no idea how Fraction can complete this story in a way that gives Tony Stark an ounce of dignity or intelligence, let alone gives this story a coherent place in the wider Marvel universe. I'm just treating it as a kinky AU right now (and judging by Tony's appearances in other 616 titles, so are the other Marvel writers).

And while we're discussing this issue, was I the only one who thought that the special vest that Tony has to wear ("so the repulsor in [his] chest can't..." what, Fraction? Could you please at least to bother to think out how the fake technology works?) has a rather, er, unique harness attachment at the bottom? Sometimes I think that if Fraction knew that the kink memes existed he wouldn't have to write comics to get his fill.

[ellex42.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I think that if Fraction knew that the kink memes existed he wouldn't have to write comics to get his fill.

I love this sentence so much, but for the love of fandom, don't anyone tell Fraction about the kink memes. He'd spam the comms with Tony snuff porn (that's a fantastic - and accurate - description of his work) and we'd never get him to leave.

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

omg you're right... it is kind of like snuff porn. He's assassinating Tony's entire personality in front of us. @_@ Given the two or three "future" stories he's already shoved at us, I am kind of treating this like a very scary h/c (without any c... *cries*) AU of Iron Man. Because... wow, dignity, no he doesn't get that here. Much less raw intelligence, which is, well, Tony Stark's THING.

I'm just... argh. -_- I don't want a RDJ Tony here, I want a kick-ass comicsverse Tony again. With a brain and a plan.

It's really sad when the secondary characters -- Cababa right now -- get more sympathy in my head than the main character Tony does.

And what is Rhodey even doing? Leaving Tony to rot?! *seethes* I love me some good BFF rides to the rescue stuff, and this is nothing like that.

[cellia.livejournal.com]

lol My thoughts exactly to all of this. I especially love how Tony's still plugging away in AvX or Captain America as usual despite whatever's been happening in his own title.

I think I remember Fraction also had Dr Ock make Tony kiss his tentacle in defeat at one point in an earlier IIM. And then we're shown that Dr Ock has recorded it and is happily watching a playback later in the dark. I... just... Ok then, Fraction.

I like some kinkmeme Tony humiliation too, but it makes me a little "um" to see it in the comics (or maybe it's just because the art doesn't quite make it hot enough? or it's not 100% my exact kink?). And where is Tony being smart and badass and a superhero? Breaking him down, ok. But he needs to also get a win at some point!

[hw221.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Fraction is killing this book. It's just. Ugh.
Fraction needs to do something else. I have never liked any of his stuff. :/

[squeeful.livejournal.com]

Fraction... man... are you going scorched-earth on us before you leave the book?

Yes, yes I think he is. As a giant temper tantrum.

I refuse to believe that everything is anything other than a collective Galactus-induced bad dream and everyone will wake up, go "wtf?", and huddle around in a puppy pile drinking cocoa to combat the trauma.

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping it was Spymaster who put funny mushrooms in their watercooler because he wanted Tim to get funky with him in the boss' office without interruption -- and instead they all collectively had this bad lets-crush-Tony and everyone around him head-trip instead.

[muccamukk]

Comics discussion/ranting re Steve and/or Tony's titles welcome. Though I would ask that no one flame the creators.

I bailed on the title after the brain reboot. Mostly the art did me in.

I has a sad that Tony was all alone for six months though :( even if it does feed several of my kinks.

I'm holding out until someone else get the title, which should be coming up in six months or so. Unless it's Tony's turn to die, then I'd give it a year.

[cellia.livejournal.com]

It's very strange, because while otoh the writing is painful as I try to make it make logical/emotional sense (or fit into the larger Marvel 616), otoh some parts of it do feed some weird id-parts of my brain usually satisfied by fic (Tony imprisoned! Enemies on every side! Evil villain obsessed with him causing him pain!)

Can't exactly say I'd recommend spending money on it though. I think the art has improved lately, but only by a miniscule amount.

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Now, see, this is why, despite having read The Avengers and Tales of Suspense all through the 60s and 70s, and doing a lot of catching up recently, I am writing Movieverse-infected-by-616 because I just cannot cope with what has been happening in the comics over the past couple of years.

I saw scans of this over on scans_daily and, blimey, you're all right about the artwork. (What's more, I think I'm the only person in the Universe who can't stand what Fraction and Brubacker did to my beloved Iron Fist...)

[gooligan.livejournal.com]

First, I'd just blow off AvX as being in its own little "slipped in the shower, accidentally ingested hallucinogens, and dreamed about Phoenix" thing. Especially because the art's sucky, the plot's idiotic, and the characterization is infantile. It's an excuse to vacuum money out of the pockets of fourteen year old boys through an excuse for Marvel's answer to pro-wrestling. Fake staged one on ones. Treat it as such. It's to be read only as self-parody.

Second, Okay. I'm gonna stick my neck out and risk having my head cut off because I really like Larocca's art. I like the pampered rich-guy look - to me it adds a nifty sense of realism. I like that Tony LOOKS like he's in his early forties. I like the business clothes (though I wish the suit draping looked more real). To, the best stuff in Iron Man is happening out of the costumes. And I like the extremely clear use of photo reference though occasionally it's a little offsetting to think I see Jada Pinkett or Mary Elizabeth Parker references, but I've liked heavy use of photoref since Tony Harris's Starman caught my eye. It hits a big art minor button in me. I also like the tech and since the tech has to look real to give this book its proper heft, having people who look like grown ups in settings that look like they have physical depth, working on things that look like they could be real, works for me. So, okay, I know the prevailing opinion is anti-Larocca. I'll admit I liked Maleev BETTER. But I'm gonna stand here and raise a lonely little Larocca pro.

On to the point. Tony clearly has a Cunning Scheme and thinking back to his lessons learned with Doc Ock, I think he's playing mirror chess with Mandarin. Mandy played on Tony's arrogance, over-confidence, and technical expertise to get inside his organization and inside his public persona and overturn them. Tony's doing pretty much the same thing, playing to Mandarin's arrogance and overconfidence and certainty in HIS mind control tech, and how he's in the middle of Mandarin's organization and getting access to both the technical goods, and the human capital (nice use of the odious Stane). I foresee tables to be turned.

And he quite clearly was playing Cap and Danvers - that's why we had Reed clue us in on the meaning of the smug little grin so we'd recognize it just before Tony got insubordinate and hit Cap's authoritarian chain of command button. In fact he did that for them both with the little use of the military ranks to cue it. And he's gone on leave before, generally when he was drinking, and he's just been set up AS drinking and make a very public appearance related to drinking so that it's fairly plausible that he's in a Brian Wilsonesque retreat. Not unassailably so - but fairly so. We know Rhodey's in on it. We know Pepper's in on it. If you want a tasty fanfic option, play with the idea that Cap started to make overtures, and they had to convince him to back off and cover while Tony plays out his game on the Mandarin's home turf.

Goo

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

I'm still flaming pissed about the mind-wipe dreamscape being ENTIRELY DEVOID of Captain America. (Yeah, he clubbed us over the head with the Mandarin's bots even way back then. I know.) Every other one of Tony's dead walks through that time except Steve. Later, Thor and Tony have a moment post-Siege to hash some stuff out, okay, not very well, and it was pretty glib, (yeah, I know Fraction writes Thor too, or did back then), in IIM, but nary a sign of Steve after the doctor's little "how much did he lose of his memory anyway" speech.

So is Steve playing along the whole time, all the way from the wipe, by pretending not to be he friend anymore? Is Carol too? Is Avenger's Mansion infiltrated too, so they have to pretend there? How can Rhodey be trusted then, and not them? Tony faked Rhodey's death... doesn't the Mandarin know that? Since he's apparently looking out of Tony's eyes every second? How'd he even get into Tony's head in the first place? Extremis? Apparently Extremis was like running your router in DMZ mode with no antivirus or antimalware installed because people walked in and out of Tony's OS (well, his brain) like a revolving fucking door. I'da thunk Mr. Control-Freak Stark would be all over patching that kind of shit up right away.

All he had to say to Steve and Carol was, "Business is bad I need a leave." He's done that before. We didn't need Steve threatening him just because Tony took a swing at him. Particularly not that graphically. That's not Steve.

Unfortunately, I can see where it all could have come from, and where I'd really really like it to go even with this poor of a set-up, but... Fraction rarely follows through. Instead he stuffs you in a box, mails you to his front door step then hits you with a hammer of OH LOOK YET ANOTHER DISASTER FOR TONY, oh wait I didn't fix the last one first? TOO DAMN BAD.

I don't quite agree with you on Tony's clothes, however. Most of the time in IIM, Tony's wearing a baggy tee shirt and some slouchy pants. Where's his flash and style? His tight tank tops? His suit and tie? That "tux" for the party looked like he'd borrowed someone else's clothes. Someone a hundred pounds heavier than him. If it's depression making him dress like shit, that certainly isn't coming through in Fraction's writing anywhere. Unless that's specifically supposed to be our one major clue that Tony is "not himself".

Honestly, if Larroca's art was colored better I'd like it much better. I do very much enjoy being able to tell the guys apart by the way they're drawn. His women, not so easy. Especially if they aren't Maria Hill or Mrs. Arbogast. The Hammer ladies? Too identical. Bethany Cabe? Unless I don't see the RT half the time I think she's Pepper. The reduced color palate choice I could do without (something other than orange, kthks?), and the shiny shiny skin both detract a great deal from my overall enjoyment of his work. But his drawings of Tony's tech rock. I adore Larroca's suits, his cars (even with photo-ref), and the technology. (Particularly since we're allegedly getting Land next and... oh god don't get me started on porn!ref!Land...*is miserable already*)

[aquaocean.livejournal.com]

Where did you get the 6 month timeline? I didn't see it anywhere in the book.

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

Wyche says it in his little demo.

[salmastryon.livejournal.com]

>.>

This makes me happy that I've not gotten caught up to the current Marvel stuff yet. Though the Avengers DVD is goign to set back my trade paperback buying plans since I've got to buy the expensive one with all the extras.

but that sounds bad.... To the point you don't even get the trainwreck feel. :(

I can't believe no one looked for Tony for over 6 months. If nothing else, people would be worried he was going villain? :/

[huntress1013.livejournal.com]

Congratulations for still reading and I am avoiding AvX like a plague. The way it sounds - a very good idea. Stick to the movies and fanfiction written foar t (also the ones infused by Marvel 616). Much much healthier for any right minded fan. Also - Marvel fracking basically most characters over is by now a sad tradition that I why I stopped reading X-Men years ago and only read what I like in the Avengers universe.

[arileo.livejournal.com]

Have to admit, I stopped reading the moment I got to the bit where Tony was getting drunk with the dwarves. I was considering getting back in to it but... this makes me have second thoughts. I've been saying it for years, and I'll say it again. Marvel really needs to lay off the multi-series massive story arcs of doom for a little while, and let folks have their own books again.

[ada-bug.livejournal.com]

I stopped reading the moment I got to the bit where Tony was getting drunk with the dwarves.

This is pretty much where I gave up as well. I had been hating Fractions work on IIM long before then, but the FI tie ins were what finally allowed me to cut the cord with not grievances. Also, the art work is just...not to my liking. At all.

As for AvX, I was tempted at first, but tbh, after all the ~big events~ as of late, Im just tired of these nonsensical event that drag on for 7 months in real time. I miss the day where an entire arc would last only 1-3 issues. It held my attention span (or lack there of) much better and the stories are much easier to swallow when they're not taking place in 12 different titles.

I love Marvel, but they're making it harder and harder for me to keep wanting to buy their comics.

[nohaijiachi.livejournal.com]

I still have to read AvX, and a lot of Invicible IM issues.
Because, lately, I've been literally buying comics only for the art.
I've reached the point I roll my eyes whenever I read "Fraction" somewhere.
IM it's still my favorite Marvel character and will probably be for the foreseeable future. But it's been really annoying and unreadable in the past couple of years.
I'm sorry, I have nothing useful to add to the discussion. Just need to rant about Fraction and what he's doing to stuff I once enjoyed reading.

[konishi-zen.livejournal.com]

I've been toying with picking this book up, but now I'm just going to back away slowly. I like my H/C and IM is the perfect guy for it, but no. I get enough realism in my everyday life. I'd rather not have torture porn in my comics, although the art is impressive, I'll hold off.

I'm also disappointed to hear that AvX sucks. I was hoping that it was going to be somewhat decent, but yeah, I'm glad I saved my money on this one.

I'll just stick to old school stuff.

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

Find the TPBs used. It hurts a whole lot less on the cost-front then, and, if you like the art, the TPBs showcase Larroca's work very well. The suits and tech he does are quite stunning. =^_^=

Honestly, I do like the supporting cast of Invincible Iron Man quite a bit... I just wish Tony himself got better treatment. *sigh* I'd say if you're on the fence leaning toward it, try them out anyway.

IIM actually reads much better if you can sit down and absorb Fraction's work all in one go rather than in the monthly chunks.

[karumachan.livejournal.com]

I never liked the artwork, Director of Shield's artwork was gorgeous but Salvador Larroca's work in IIR just never got to me all and that beside the tracing we've seen happening.
Somehow that has always gotten in the way of reading some stories.

But Marvel is doing a major change in writer and artist in nearly all their comics so I am hoping it will turn for the better then.

[karumachan.livejournal.com]

IIR lmao IIM

[leo354.livejournal.com]

Marvel 616 should learn... Superheroes working alone/in their own little worlds is OVER since the formation of the Avengers.

[cellia.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you on petty/dumb heroes and AvX. I don't know if this is new, though. I mean, I felt very similarly about Civil War (complete with bad planning by Cap). One could probably trace it back even further, but I forgive the way older comics since they obviously weren't trying for gritty and realism as much as soap opera with punching.

How many times does this make it for Tony being mind-controlled though? At least this seems better than The Crossing. (Hm, I'm sure some kinky writer could do something with the Mandarin having control over Tony's body and Tony being imprisoned for months. >:D) And hey, anything OOC for Tony, just blame it on mind-control!

I am hoping for a long game/plan by Tony, though my trust is a little low. Weirdly, my pet peeve is what Fraction has done to Bethany Cabe's character. I remember her as so cool and classy and mature, so having her catfighting with Pepper and smacking Tony in the face in anger is just... :(

[mostepotente.livejournal.com]

I quit reading this during the lead up to the whole Fear Itself thing, because the Mandarin "piggy" thing made me feel dirty, and Steve was acting like a giant doody-head over the Infinity Gems. I distinctly remember thinking, "Can we stop picking on Tony for like, five minutes? Seriously, you guys act like he snuffed your baby in front of you and then used it for a puppet."

Going with what someone else said earlier, Ultimate!Tony is where it's at right now, but I'm still catching up. Him being all supportive of Thor in his time of need hits all the happy buttons.

So, I'm taking this thread as encouragement to not waste my money on catching up digitally to IIM. Probably will wait until they get dropped down to 1.99. D:.

[paxnirvana.livejournal.com]

Yesssss.... Ultimate Tony is smart, clever, sexy and snarky. AND being an awesome buddy to Thor.

( I'm waiting eagerly for Cap's Big Return there. Hope he's not such a jerk this time. >_>; I want him to mentor Miles sooooo much. )

[mozzarellaroses.livejournal.com]

But... I LIKE IIM ):
But I figure they think the other Iron Man is Tony when it's really secretly not-dead Rhodey?