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!

I wonder how?

[identity profile] hohaiyee.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Tony was facing Steve in court, does that imply that in this reality, Tony went to Steve's trial, and took the bullet?
ext_18328: (Default)

: Predicitions COD and reactions from various people

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
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: I wonder how?

[identity profile] dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
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)

I think it will be sudden

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
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: : Predicitions COD and reactions from various people

[identity profile] hohaiyee.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Logan: *shrugs*, *opens a beer*
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)?

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.
ext_18328: (Default)

LOL!

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
ext_18328: (Default)

50 State Initiative

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
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)).

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.

Re: I think it will be sudden

[identity profile] dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Would be interesting if we got a sort of Confession only with Steve talking to Tony's body.
ext_18328: (Default)

Oh, yes plz!

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Would be interesting if we got a sort of Confession only with Steve talking to Tony's body.

The thing is, Steve is such a good soldier though. He knows the whole chin up, shoulders square, stiff upper lip vibe from WWII. He'll probably want to be alone, and say how Tony was his best friend (I know that Tony considered Steve his best friend), and ... *manly sniffles*

You aren't going to get Tony Stark levels of emotion on this one.

I really should be in bed.

Re: Oh, yes plz!

[identity profile] dorcas-gustine.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
You aren't going to get Tony Stark levels of emotion on this one.
That was my point. We could see the other side of the coin, I would so love a couple of panels mirroring The Confession with just their role reversed, and Steve saying nothing.
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.
ext_18328: (Default)

Ugh.

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
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.

Yes, that would be. Especially since if you're a head of a Fortune 500 company, you basically raise your child in the life. You wean them on stocks, figures, bottom line. You send them to the best schools, with the right people, you take them to meetings with you so that they can talk to Kings, and not lose the common touch with the heads.

There's a reason why heads of Fortune 500 companies build dynasties and do not have bastards. This is why.

In before it gets Jossed

[identity profile] hohaiyee.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
ext_18328: (Default)

Oh, that would be lovely

[identity profile] jazzypom.livejournal.com 2008-11-20 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd hope Steve would have the space to do it alone, but I can see him clinging to Sharon, who'll have some sort of effed up guilt (she was brainwashed to fall in love with him, and betrayed Steve on certain levels), which either might draw them closer, or push them further apart.

This better be good, or else... someone here will be writing fanfic. I keep threatening everyone with bad fanfic... talk me down, somebody.

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