Iron Man: Inevitable #3 (spoilers)

[bhudson1972]

I just finished Iron Man: Inevitable #3. I must say, this wasn't at the top of my "to read" list this week. The only reason I'm getting this is because I hate to drop a title in the middle of an arc or, in this case, in the middle of a limited series.

It's not that the story is that bad. I think it's actually okay. They even hint a lot at past Iron Man stories back in the late 80's when I first started reading him. It's just that the art is SO bad. It really distracts me from a potentially good story. I swear I could draw some of these panels myself. The Ghost used to look so cool and the Spymaster's color scheme is not very intimidating now. Tony Stark's hair has never looked so bad. I could go on.

Anyway, the plot doesn't seem to advance much as far as the Living Laser is concerned. It's hinted that the doctor is getting close to a breakthrough, but we don't see much of it other than some brief flashbacks to the Living Laser's past. Just a few panels of his his younger days and costume variations. I thik the doctor is going to push herself too fast and the Living Laser will turn it to his advantage.

Most of the interesting parts deal with the Ghost and Spymaster arguing over whether Iron Man is really dead. The Ghost thinks he is and Spymaster says there is no way. They almost come to blows before Spymaster convinces (threatens) the Ghost to visit Stark's company again to make sure.

Tony sets a trap that the Ghost falls right into. The issue ends with Iron Man blocking Ghost's intangible power and ready to knock the crap out of the Ghost. I wouldn't be surprised if the Ghost rats out Spymaster to save his skin.

Later,

BHudson1972

[BradE]

I liked the first two issues, but for some reason couldn't focus my attention on this issue long enough to actually read the whole thing. I think it's the art... it's just not attention grabbing at all..

[holtom2000]

if it wasn't free, I wouldn't be reading it. I don't care for the art or story. these are comics I will not read twice.

[outsiderzero]

Though I am enjoying this series overall, the art definitely is distracting. In every series he's in right now, Tony Stark has a goatee and contemporary hairstyle. In this series though, he looks like a 70's tennis player or something. I also wish the art wasn't so washed and pinkish. Otherwise, I think it's pretty cool. I also like how the titles and stuff are all retro-looking, that gives it a fun feel.

[Whipsnakes]

I love the art, I think it is the best part of the book. Sets the pace perfectly, and has a nice style to it. Great use of angles.

[The 'Nam]

The art isn't my thing, but the colors are gorgeous. I can definitely see how it's distracting, though.

Story = Joe Casey at his most mediocre. Pretty yawn-inducing stuff.

[Dr. Slim]

Well, a superhero comic with a bright pink cover is not going to be for everyone. This is indeed turning into Iron Man: The Intimate, as least insofar as the series is marked by a paper-thin plot and characters who seem painfully aware of their own deep need to inhabit familiar caricatures.

I like it, especially the art. Frazer Irving really flattens the images, but also gives them a lot of texture with his colors. It gives an impression of depth without traditional perspective. A little like a telephoto lens in places. With the washy backgrounds, the odd color palate, and the gaudy light (not to mention the hair), this thing begins to look like an Italian spy movie from the 1970s.

It is a little boring, but I'm going to hazard supposing (with some sense of risk and embarassment) that it wouldn't be nearly as distinctive or interesting if it wasn't. My favorite Joe Casey stuff always has an odd displaced feel where the whole comic feels like it's happening somewhere else...which makes the work feel alienating, insubstantial, and dull, but not dull in a dull way. Bad explanation, but something's up.

[jedifish]

I picked up the first issue of this because I loved Irving's art on Klarion. He was perfect for that title. Unfortunately the story really didn't grab me and the art just didn't feel right for the title for some reason. And those covers have not enticed me to check out the subsequent issues.