ext_58757 ([identity profile] melisus.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] cap_ironman2008-11-20 05:16 pm

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

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!
ext_18328: (Default)

If it's Civil War they might do a Lincoln

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Tony probably takes a date to a theatre, and gets shot.
ext_18328: (Default)

Even better

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
So he's there, over seeing stuff, then BOOM!

I guess Cap will have Sharon and the baby after all (remember, Sharon was pregnant with his kid, supposedly)?
ext_18328: (Default)

This.

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Tony Stark is convergence in the Marvel U, like him or not. There would be ripples. Ooohhh. I think Cap, Pepper, Rhodey, Richards and Peter would be the few characters that would mourn him. Everyone else will come and quaff wine and drinks at the wake. Stark isn't religious, so I can't see him having a religious ceremony. Nor can I see him being buried in ice.

I guess Rhodey would take over Ironman - but Tony was the brains behind all that tech.

Hmmm... how many pages does this comic have? because in Fallen Son it was epic, like about six floppies in one trade.
ext_18328: (Default)

Oh zeen. I thought it would be a mini

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess no more than 5 parts. I don't think people are going to be going through the 5 stages of grief though. It might be stages relating to tech, like: obsolescence, ubiquitousness of something along those lines.

but I'm not sure it would work for Tony's death so much since he is nowhere near as well-liked or loved as Steve was..

Agreed. I guess they'll close down Stark Tower, move some stuff. Steve, Pepper, Rhodey and a select few will have a ceremony of rememberance.

Oy, I cannot wait for the trades, so I'll be collecting this series. Damn it.

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

[identity profile] hohaiyee.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
...but while there are fanatics on all sides, there tends to be less fanatics on the democrat side...

...and I just really like the idea of Tony taking the bullet meant for Steve.

...and hey, that makes more sense anyways. Didn't Red Skull give Cap a blood transfusion once, cause he was one of those villains who are really fixated on their heroes? It'll make more evil sense if he shot Tony to make Steve angst, instead of outright killing Steve.