STUART MOORE ON "WITH IRON HANDS"

[MattBrady]

Starting with Iron Man #29, Marvel’s Armored Avenger gets a new writer as Stuart Moore steps in for a four issue arc entitled “With Iron Hands.”

Fans of Daniel and Charles Knauf need not worry – Moore is only spelling off the father/son writing team for the arc, which, coincidentally, ships over the same time period Iron Man will be appearing in movie theaters.

We spoke with the writer for more about the arc.

Newsarama: So Stuart - you're writing the Iron Man arc while the movie is out. No pressure there, or anything... how'd you end up with the gig?

Stuart Moore: The regular writers needed a break, and Nicole Boose, the editor, asked me to pitch. I'd recently written a few New Avengers specials for the U.S. military, which she edited. Those featured Iron Man, and apparently everyone was pretty happy with them.

NRAMA: That said then, where did the story "With Iron Hands" come from? Was it all you, or was it more of a collaboration, with topics and elements that Marvel wanted to see included in the series?

SM: The only real guideline I was given was to do a storyline involving S.H.I.E.L.D., because the companion book, launching the same month, focuses more on Tony Stark's life as head of Stark Enterprises. I love S.H.I.E.L.D., so that was no hardship. I came up with the story, including the two villains, and Nicole and Tom Brevoort whipped it into shape.

NRAMA: Broad brush - what's the story about? From the solicitation, this touches upon both Tony's past and present, correct?

SM: That's right. The story opens with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier on a mission to stop a nuclear terrorist in a small Eastern European nation. But another menace is brewing, back in the States, and it soon comes looking for Tony Stark in particular. One problem is directly linked to S.H.I.E.L.D., and the other goes back to Tony's past as a munitions manufacturer.

NRAMA: Along those lines, what's your view of Tony's past? Obviously, given the time compression that all comics see, the era and war in which Tony was first active has moved and changed, but has that element changed anything about the fact that he used to design munitions?

SM: I'm pretty much following the continuity set out by Warren Ellis in "Extremis," the storyline that kicked off this volume of Iron Man. But really, which war Tony made munitions for isn't as important as the fact that he did it. That's one of the many, many regrets that drive him.

NRAMA: How does that fit in your mind, into Tony as a character, that is, prior to his capture and the creation of the armor, he was pretty much an unrepentant munitions designer/manufacturer? As you see it, what changed? What was Tony's mind/psyche like pre-armor?

SM: The way I see Tony, he's not a former warmonger who's decided to reform his ways. What he is, is a guy who's always tried to do good -- and when he was younger, he thought manufacturing arms for the U.S. government was the way to do it. He also thought it was a good idea to drink himself half to death, and he made a lot of other mistakes, too. Basically, he was arrogant -- and he's got a lot to make up for.

It's funny. Some characters arrive on the comics scene full-blown, and everything you do with them after that chips away at the basic premise. Iron Man is the opposite. There's a whole complex story of hubris and regret that's built up around him through the years, piece by piece. You can see in the movie -- even in the trailers -- how sharply they've pulled that all together. The epilogue to Civil War, where he tells Cap, posthumously that the fight wasn't worth it, is just another brick in that wall. Tony Stark is arguably the most powerful man in the Marvel Universe; a guy like that does tremendous good and tremendous harm, all the time. As an interesting, multifaceted character, he's absolutely at his peak right now.

And making him Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was a brilliant move. It's the last thing I ever would have thought of doing, but it's perfect; it gives him another platform for doing good in the world, and it opens up all kinds of opportunities for action in exotic locations.

NRAMA: Let’s talk about the elements of Tony's past that come back to haunt him. Isn't it a safe-ish bet, from what we've seen over the years, that Stark tech and designs are in a lot, if not the majority of weapons and weapons systems used by the respective militaries of the US and its allies in the Marvel Universe?

SM: I want to dance around this a bit...but one of the threats in this story goes back to a program Stark Enterprises ran back when it was a munitions company. And the other stems directly from Tony's stewardship of S.H.I.E.L.D. We've seen various repercussions of Tony's past as an arms manufacturer, but it's reasonable to assume he's also stepped on some toes since coming to S.H.I.E.L.D.

That's what the title, "With Iron Hands," refers to. Over the years, Tony Stark has touched a lot of people's lives with his iron gauntlets. He's saved some of those lives, and damaged others. Every once in a while, one of them comes back to bite him on the ass. Or two of them.

And yes, there are Stark components in a lot of weapons systems around the world. There are also a lot of people around the world who've contributed to Stark Enterprises' research. Some of them know things they shouldn't know.

NRAMA: Speaking of things biting him in the ass…it was mentioned in the solicitations - what's the Overkill Mind?

SM: That would be telling...but longtime S.H.I.E.L.D. fans may recognize it, in some form. Hint: Take a look at that gorgeous Steranko Nick Fury, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. trade paperback from a few years ago. The first one, with all the stories from Strange Tales.

NRAMA: Will do. With all that you’d said so far, how are you integrating this with what the Knaufs have been doing in the series to date? Are we going to be seeing familiar faces from their stories?

SM: Yes, I love what the Knaufs have been doing, and this uses the same basic setup and cast: Maria Hill and Dugan (pre-Secret Invasion) aboard the Helicarrier. There's an appearance by Agent Gaffer, from Chris Gage's Annual, and I really wanted to do more with the Alpha Team, Iron Man's special elite squad of armored operatives. They get a bit more "screen time" than usual.

By the way, the art is being tag-teamed by regular artist Roberto de la Torre and Carlo Pagulayan, and it's a pretty seamless process. Roberto's got this terrific, powerful technothriller look worked up for Iron Man, and Carlo -- whom I worked with, back when I was an editor at Marvel Knights -- gets to do a subplot that explodes into the main story later on. He also draws some stunning, very varied women in part two; that's a real strength of his.

NRAMA: Wrapping things up Stuart, let’s end with a tease. What gets the ball rolling in issue #29?

SM: Issue #29 starts with a small nuclear explosion, after which Iron Man has to defuse a very, very small, very, very powerful bomb. Then the Overkill Mind comes on the scene, and the whole thing gets strange. My goal is to craft a nonstop thriller by throwing as many threats as possible at Tony and S.H.I.E.L.D., and see how they react. It's one of the hardest things I've ever written, because it combines high tech with military fiction, and everything has to be right. But the character is so rich, so great, that he's like a beacon of light in the chaos. Tony Stark always knows what to do next.

[Princess_Pea]

I have a feeling that the Iron Man in this title is a Skrull and despite what Marvel tells you this title will be ending soon.

[CaptainCanad]

Originally Posted by Princess_Pea

I have a feeling that the Iron Man in this title is a Skrull and despite what Marvel tells you this title will be ending soon.

What on Earth would make you think that? The logistics of that would be totally impossible.

[RTommyB216]

Originally Posted by Princess_Pea

I have a feeling that the Iron Man in this title is a Skrull and despite what Marvel tells you this title will be ending soon.

Please, don't ever say such a thing. To me, this title is just as good as Captain America, and I pray it sticks around just as long.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by CaptainCanad

What on Earth would make you think that? The logistics of that would be totally impossible.

What is more likely, if along the same lines, is that the Big Picture requires Tony to not be Director of SHIELD post-SI. Moore's very clear that this arc takes place before SI1, and it would seem like a serious conflict of interest for him to be the head of a private company in Invincible Iron Man, which bids on various SHIELD contracts, while being head of SHIELD in IM:DoS.

At the very least, all possible results are going to require... finessing...

[CaptainCanad]

Originally Posted by Somebody

What is more likely, if along the same lines, is that the Big Picture requires Tony to not be Director of SHIELD post-SI. Moore's very clear that this arc takes place before SI1, and it would seem like a serious conflict of interest for him to be the head of a private company in Invincible Iron Man, which bids on various SHIELD contracts, while being head of SHIELD in IMoS.

At the very least, all possible results are going to require... finessing...

Taking away SHIELD removes any distinction between the two titles, so I expect that will stay.

[Princess_Pea]

Originally Posted by CaptainCanad

Taking away SHIELD removes any distinction between the two titles, so I expect that will stay.

Or they will cancel Iron Man: Director of Shield. No one honestly thinks that Nick Fury won't take his old job back after this is all over? The Knaufs don't need to 'take time off'. They moved onto Eternals. This is all just a ruse. Like how they said Fraction would take over Immortal Iron Fist and ended up leaving the title with Brubaker. Marvel has a tendency to mislead the public about such things. Their track record speaks for itself.

[CaptainCanad]

Originally Posted by Princess_Pea

The Knaufs don't need to 'take time off'. They moved onto Eternals.

No, they had Part I of a new arc ("Damasqas") solicited for May, which was rescheduled and Moore's first issue retroactively solicited.

Like how they said Fraction would take over Immortal Iron Fist and ended up leaving the title with Brubaker.

They didn't say that; that was just fan speculation.

[Rich L]

Originally Posted by Princess_Pea

Or they will cancel Iron Man: Director of Shield. No one honestly thinks that Nick Fury won't take his old job back after this is all over? The Knaufs don't need to 'take time off'. They moved onto Eternals. This is all just a ruse. Like how they said Fraction would take over Immortal Iron Fist and ended up leaving the title with Brubaker. Marvel has a tendency to mislead the public about such things. Their track record speaks for itself.

Plans change. Fraction got busier than expected. I'm pretty sure that wasn't a case of directly misleading the public.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if post SI, this title continues with a different Director of SHIELD - possibly in the same way that Herc stepped into Hulk's sandals.

[alf]

Originally Posted by CaptainCanad

No, they had Part I of a new arc ("Damasqas") solicited for May, which was rescheduled and Moore's first issue retroactively solicited.

Yeah, and I gotta say, I really wish they had put out the right solicitation the first time, cause I wouldn't have ordered this if I knew the Knaufs weren't writing it.

[Princess_Pea]

Originally Posted by Rich L

Plans change. Fraction got busier than expected. I'm pretty sure that wasn't a case of directly misleading the public.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if post SI, this title continues with a different Director of SHIELD - possibly in the same way that Herc stepped into Hulk's sandals.

Nick Fury perhaps?

[ljacone]

Sounds like a cool story. It'll be interesting to see how things work with both titles, but this series is among the strongest titles Marvel publishes (THE strongest, in my opinion).

[C20Percent]

Just...Jesus Christ -- whatever you do don't mention Stark Enterprises!

[Melville10]

Originally Posted by RTommyB216

Please, don't ever say such a thing. To me, this title is just as good as Captain America, and I pray it sticks around just as long.

The Knaufs have done a great job picking up where Ellis left off. I read Iron Man: Execute Program trade several months ago and I thought it was great. I already ordered the next trade which is Iron Man: Director of SHIELD by the Knaufs and I hear Iron Man: Haunted is hitting trade soon. I also like Brubaker's Cap and I'm waiting for both volumes of The Death of Capt. America to come out in softcover.

[RTommyB216]

Originally Posted by Melville10

The Knaufs have done a great job picking up where Ellis left off. I read Iron Man: Execute Program trade several months ago and I thought it was great. I already ordered the next trade which is Iron Man: Director of SHIELD by the Knaufs and I hear Iron Man: Haunted is hitting trade soon. I also like Brubaker's Cap and I'm waiting for both volumes of The Death of Capt. America to come out in softcover.

On a whim I bought Ellis' Extremis about a month ago and I fell in love with it. Then, I bought Execute Program, expecting less, and was absolutely floored by it,and in the last 3 weeks I've bought every issue that's come out. Its my favorite title that Marvel publishes, which I would never expect. It feels like a companion book with Captain America, and the Knaufs are now two of my favorite writers. I'll be crushed if they cancel this book in favor of Fraction's (which will no doubt be good too, but different)

[ZeoVGM]

Originally Posted by Princess_Pea

I have a feeling that the Iron Man in this title is a Skrull and despite what Marvel tells you this title will be ending soon.

Yeah, you're absolutely wrong here.

[Roy Batty]

Ellis EXTREMIS started with a bang, the first issue was incredibly strong and promising... And then, it all died away along the remaining issues and led to a very weak and uninvolving resolution.

As many others, I did not expect much from the Knaufs, but they built upon the Ellis' initial run foundations and turned this into one the most peculiar and interesting books in all the Marvel stable. The arrival of Roberto de la Torre was just the icing on the cake; it's amazing how much he has improved over his Ms. MARVEL run.

(by the by, the WORLD WAR HULK crossover issues were a disapointing waste, suspending the Knaufs story for a while, but Butch Guice did a great job on those, too)

[shieldboy]

Originally Posted by Melville10

The Knaufs have done a great job picking up where Ellis left off. I read Iron Man: Execute Program trade several months ago and I thought it was great. I already ordered the next trade which is Iron Man: Director of SHIELD by the Knaufs and I hear Iron Man: Haunted is hitting trade soon. I also like Brubaker's Cap and I'm waiting for both volumes of The Death of Capt. America to come out in softcover.

yeah man...the Knauf`s work is terrific...cannot wait to see Madame Masque after Stuart Moore`s issues...

[LazyHero]

It's interesting that Tony is depicted with a mustache in Secret Invasion and Invincible Iron Man, while he has a goatee in Director of SHIELD, further emphasizing that the Director of SHIELD issues happen before all the others.

[Omega Flyer]

Great looking preview art and the story idea is certainly intriguing. I can only hope Moore maintains the high quality standard the Knaufs have set.

[yonofui]

After SI, the comic will be Rename Nick Fury: Director of Shield


And there will be a new comic called: The Iron Man. Where nobody know who is inside the new Red armor... (mmn... I think the armor is red already). Okay, Green Armor

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Rich L

Plans change. Fraction got busier than expected. I'm pretty sure that wasn't a case of directly misleading the public.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if post SI, this title continues with a different Director of SHIELD - possibly in the same way that Herc stepped into Hulk's sandals.

Even I like this comic, that's a cool idea, from Iron Man: Director of SHIELD to Nick Fury: Director of SHIELD, it all depends on SI aftermath, its possible. Peace.

[victor lanza]

Originally Posted by yonofui

After SI, the comic will be Rename Nick Fury: Director of Shield

The new comic will be titled:

[Peasily]

Cool covers, though Marvel should switch the chest-beam back to a circle like the movie, so IM can get away from the Superman look.

[Big Bad Wolf]

If Marvel wanted a Sheild book, they should have just started a new SHIELD series instead of booting Iron Man out of his own book (which they will be doing I'm sure) just to start him over with yet another #1.

Another thing that annoys me is that Iron Man as of late has been guest-starring in more books than even Wolverine has. At least, that's how it seems to me.