With a slashy cover like that? I think it's relevant.

[melisus.livejournal.com]

Geez, I feel so lame for making THIS my first contribution to the community. ANYWAYS...

I was perusing the Marvel site, getting together the checklist of comics I needed to go out and buy today, and an article describing a new "What If?" comic coming out in December caught my eye.

Fallen Son: Mourning Iron Man
On December 10, Iron Man will die.

Before you fly into a panic, Golden Gladiator fans, know this: it happens in the alternate world of WHAT IF? FALLEN SON #1.

This alternate take on the limited series from which it draws its name swaps Captain America's death for that of his opposite number, Iron Man. As penned by Marc Sumerak with art by Trevor Goring, the one-shot unfolds over the course of the first few days following the founding Avenger's demise, delving into the psychological effects of Tony Stark's death on a Marvel Universe that has already been ravaged by the events of CIVIL WAR.

While Sumerak might be no stranger to the Marvel Universe, he has heretofore done the majority of his work on younger audience-flavored titles like the FRANKLIN RICHARDS or POWER PACK limited series. Despite the difference in tone between his previous work and FALLEN SON, the transition has proven no great hardship.

"Writing WHAT IF? FALLEN SON was definitely a change of pace for me," the writer acknowledges. "The story's somber tone and heavy subject matter were a big step away from the light-hearted, humorous tales I normally get to tell. But, it wasn't nearly as hard as you might imagine to shift those gears. It was just a matter of tapping into what I've always loved about these characters and trying to get that onto the page in a way that the readers could connect with it."

Therefore, despite the death of a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe equaling grim business, Sumerak sees it as offering up a plethora of creative avenues to explore.

"While there's nothing fun about any character dying, it's always interesting to wonder what could have changed," admits Sumerak. "So many major events have surrounded Tony's life of late, it's only logical to think that his death could have brought on big changes as well.

"We will be exploring almost all of the major programs that Tony was spearheading at the time of his death—the Initiative, the Superhuman Registration Act, the Mighty Avengers, Stark Enterprises and more—and showing how his death immediately impacts those institutions and all of the people involved. The reactions of some of Tony's closest friends and allies may surprise you and may change the Marvel Universe in some very profound ways."

Sumerak seeks to ensure that those changes offer rich, complex scenarios worthy of the Marvel Universe, not just pat results. WHAT IF? FALLEN SON aims to challenge readers to draw their own conclusions about what constitutes right and wrong in this alternate universe in much the same way fans have been dissecting and debating the events of the mainstream Marvel U from CIVIL WAR through WORLD WAR HULK and SECRET INVASION.

"When writing the story, I definitely didn't set out to say, 'See? Tony was right all along! Cap's death had to happen!' Sumerak explain. "I simply wanted to explore how one simple change in the course of events could have altered the grand scheme of things. I think this story definitely shows that things would have been 'different,' but whether those differences are 'better' or 'worse' for the Marvel Universe might be a call that the readers need to make for themselves."

Much like the original FALLEN SON limited series ultimately rested on the shoulders of Iron Man, this one-shot uses Captain America as its focal point. However, the Sentinel of Liberty's grief shares the page with a multitude of familiar faces.

"Look for cast members from Mighty Avengers, New Avengers and the Initiative, as well as a number of other special guests," Sumerak teases.

Fans can enter a new era alongside Cap, the Mighty Avengers, and the rest of the Marvel Universe on December 10 by picking up WHAT IF? FALLEN SON #1, when it hits shelves.

And check out the wonderful cover!

Comments

I wonder how?

[hohaiyee.livejournal.com]

Tony was facing Steve in court, does that imply that in this reality, Tony went to Steve's trial, and took the bullet?

Re: I wonder how?

[melisus.livejournal.com]

From the article and the art I've seen (the artist actually has a Deviantart account where I first saw everything) it seems, I guess, that instead of Steve ending up assassinated, Tony ends up being shot by an angry Cap supporter. I don't know if it's at the trial or if maybe it's somewhere elese?

If it's Civil War they might do a Lincoln

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

Tony probably takes a date to a theatre, and gets shot.

Re: If it's Civil War they might do a Lincoln

[melisus.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Though looking at the art they have in the article, it looks like Tony's there at Steve's trial and is then shot by an angry Cap supporter when he leaves the court house.

Nowhere near as metaphorical as the Lincoln scenario, but it gets things off to a quick start.

Re: I wonder how?

[dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was thinking up scenarios in my head (because they already did the Tony-dies-because-of-Extremis one, so I guess they wouldn't be using that), and that is one of the most plausible ones. And it would be so cruel! But also kinda amazing, if Tony has to die let him die confessing his love for Cap!

*shots fired*
T: *shielding Cap's body with his own*
S: TONY!
T: S-Steve... I'm sorry... I... I...
S: Tony! T_T What? You what?
T: I... I think I left the gas on...
S: ...
T: *dies in Steve's arms*
S: NOOOOOO!
Avengers Towers: *explodes because of the gas*
Avengers: *on the run because of the Registration Act AND the Avengers Tower is no more*



....


I might be a little drunk.

I think it will be sudden

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

Either:

1. In battle
2. En route, Tony on his way to somewhere.

I guess Tony will be thinking about his mortality (Stark seems to always do that) and then - death.

I cannot see Stark and Steve reconciling before his death, that's why it will be so poignant. The woulda, coulda shouldas will eat at Steve like acid.

I hope the art is good though. Dammit.

Re: I think it will be sudden

[dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com]

Would be interesting if we got a sort of Confession only with Steve talking to Tony's body.

In before it gets Jossed

[hohaiyee.livejournal.com]

Immediately afterwards, they moved Steve to a nicer cell and left him alone. The guards couldn't look him in the eyes. They've toweled him off but there's still blood in the crannies of the fishmail.

Steve had been so convinced that Tony was entirely gone, back inside the court, and he had been grieving, fuming at the shell of his friend who was speaking against him. Tony trailing behind him as they descended the steps, was like another weight on his chain.

Tony's hand on his shoulder was like a vise, before it was gone.

So many things was on the tip of his tongue, in the last moment, after the shot was fire. ...and it was Tony who had the last words.

"You mean a lot to me"

And that was all that was said.

Re: In before it gets Jossed

[dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com]

T_T

Re: In before it gets Jossed

[dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com]

Or, you know, something like:

T: "It wasn't worth it. *touches Steve's chest, leaving smudges of his own blood* But this is."

That would totally break me! T_T T_T

: Predicitions COD and reactions from various people

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

Cause of Death (COD):Since they were drawing parallels to the American Civil War, will Tony Stark go out like Lincoln? He takes a date to the theatre, then gets shot in the head? But instead of by a member of the KKK, it will be by a member of someone anti reg?

Cast of Characters: reactions?

Steve: will miss Tony. Does he do a Stark and cry? Or will he turn to Sharon and sex the hurt away?
Carol: Ditto
Peter: Yeah, even though he and Tony fell out towards the end
Logan: I can't see him comforting anyone.
Pepper: Tears - but will Happy be alive in this imagining? Or will it be her and Rhodey.
Rhodey: Will miss Tony. I'm sure he'll say a word or two.
Sam (Falcon): Won't miss Stark, and might probably chastise Cap for still thinking so highly of him.
Henry Hellrung: won't even have gotten a call, so The Order wouldn't have been formed.
Jennifer: Tony did sleep with her after he blasted Hulk into space, and she was going to sue him, so... *whistles*. Her reactions should be interesting.
Spiderwoman (Jessica): Tony and herself had a falling out, so I can't see her being cut up over his death.
Reed Richards: Yeah, he'd be cut up, because he's lost an equal (or almost equal).

Anyone else?
The Illuminati: Will they apply the Icarus metaphor to Tony? As in, he flew so far, too close to the sun and melted? Or will they compare him to Alexander, as in, "Tony took a look at the world, and seeing that there was nothing else to conquer, he wept." (I'm sticking to Greek and Roman history, since that's what Civil War was going off on).
I know Namor will have words (never liked Stark), T'challa might say, "Good."

Re: : Predicitions COD and reactions from various people

[hohaiyee.livejournal.com]

Logan: *shrugs*, *opens a beer*

LOL!

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

I know that Logan was more support for Spiderman still, and threatened to tear Stark a new arsehole if he was behind the killing of Captain America (I guess he and Cap have known each other off and on for around 60 years?). So yeah, I can't imagine Logan getting out the good weeds.

Emma might go, since she and Stark were shag buddies once upon a time.

Oooh. Can't wait.

Re: : Predicitions COD and reactions from various people

[melisus.livejournal.com]

There's also the issue of his company and finances to think about. Who takes over Stark International (or whatever the hell it was called during that era... it changes so much I can't always remember). Would the 50 State Initiative still go ahead and with whose funding?

Wow... all these personal relationship theorizing and I think about finances... ugh.

50 State Initiative

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

I can't see it going ahead, or if it did, it wouldn't be so big. Stark Industries? Good point, Tony doesn't have any relatives, no?

I wouldn't have gotten to meet Henry Hellrung (http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Henry_Hellrung_(Earth-616)).

Re: 50 State Initiative

[melisus.livejournal.com]

Well... I wouldn't put it past Marvel to say, "Surprise! He has a bastard child who will now take everything over!" though that'd be REALLY shoddy writing.

Re: : Predicitions COD and reactions from various people

[ladyloscar.livejournal.com]

why not "tony transfering personality via extremis to the main-computer of StarkIndustries" (before or after confessing his undying love for cap..)???

I mean there HAS to be some kind of back-up plan... you talking about TONY STARK... controlfreak extraordinaire.. he wouldn´t take a chance with something like suddenly dying... would he?

[ladyloscar.livejournal.com]

ooooooh... i HAVE to have THAT issue. It sounds certainly interesting what with the whole "let the reader decide if it´s better or not" thing ~supposedly~ going on.

I for one would LOVE a story arc where tony is surprisingly NOT the ass... (and in this what if he´s dead... NOBODY talks bad about dead people ~YAY~)

Tony is one of the major player in the game... so YES his death would be felt by many, i think .. (I can see a happy spider dancing in the streets ö.ö") Would they (the writers) let Sharon become even more Mary-sue? Will Cap cry?



AArgh... Great.. now i have to fly over there just to get a COMIC ^____^ ... new york ich komme

~sorry, seriously sleep deprieved here..

[cosmicbiscuit.livejournal.com]

(and in this what if he´s dead... NOBODY talks bad about dead people ~YAY~)

You'd be surprised. There was a lot of glee from certain areas of the internet when Jessie Helms bit the dust, for example. Not that he and Stark are particularly comparable, just saying that being dead isn't going to protect you from people who hate your guts.

[twins-eternal.livejournal.com]

In Marvel’s latest WHAT IF? special, Iron Man takes the bullet that felled Captain America—we get the score from Marc Sumerak

Based on that, at least, it looks like that Tony gets in the way of the sharpshooter. I don't think it would do justice to the character is he was shot by a Cap groupie or in a Lincolnesque way. I mean the guys only died for Steve what, four times by now? If he doesn't die by saving Steve from the sharpshooter, I don't think it would fit the character we've come to know.

True dat

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

Now that you put it that way. Oh, Stark.

Well, it's something to look forward to from Marvel. Yay?

Re: True dat

[twins-eternal.livejournal.com]

If you can call the death of another favorite character something to look foreward to >>;
But I wonder then, if Tony does that, does Sharon still shoot Steve? Or is it that bullet that Tony takes?
i haven't been able to bring myself to read Fallen Son: The Death of Captian America, or ANYTHING of Civil War.... so i don't really know what happens when Steve dies ;_;


;_; damn you, Marvel.

Re: True dat

[melisus.livejournal.com]

You really really should read all of the Civil War stuff. If Watchmen was the comic that made me love comics in general, Civil War was what got me to finally take the plunge and get into Marvel comics.

And Fallen Son... man, that really hit home for me. I WEPT (it was awesome).

[prettyarbitrary.livejournal.com]

It'll be interesting if they really run with it. Tony's not well-liked in Marvel at this point in the continuity (not that he's gotten more popular since), but he's either running or is the power behind so many operations that there's a lot that'd start falling apart without him. And for all his flaws, he brings down all that on himself because he wants to do the right thing.

So, especially if he actually takes a bullet for Steve (ohpleaseohplease), it could be interesting to play with all that, and to see a hero essentially martyred and barely mourned. And then there's the angle that he's been self-destructive for a long time, and this is kind of like suicide without the guilt.

[avidlydelicious.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, agreed. On all counts. I think it would be a really wise choice for Marvel to go that route, especially with the immense amount of guilt and grief Steve would have under that scenario (where he is mourning, but others around him are reluctant to do so for multiple reasons).