Tony Stark is on the hunt for his family.
Like its sister series, International Iron Man is a generally decent comic that has a tendency to move much too slow for its own good. It's enough to make you wish the two books were rolled into one. This issue succeeds in setting the stage for a compelling new direction as Tony Stark digs deeper into the mystery of his birth parents. But as for wrapping up the story of Tony's doomed romance with Cassandra Gillespie, it's far less successful. After five issues, it's not clear what this book's actual aim is.
Above all, this issue left me questioning what the point of the Cassandra storyline actually was. Little is accomplished from their present-day reunion. It ends in the same way 90% of modern X-Men stories seem to, with the hero seemingly facing mortal danger and then suddenly pulling a rabbit out of their hat at the eleventh hour. There's no satisfying payoff. No major reveal that promises to tie Cassandra's story to Tony's for the foreseeable future. As interesting as it is to see glimpses of Tony's pre-Iron Man years and his battles with his father, nothing in this issue justifies the amount of time devoted to these extensive flashbacks. They're well-written but ultimately unremarkable.
Still, there's no denying that artist Alex Maleev is perfect for such a moody, somber Iron Man story. His murky, noir-tinged syle complements the extended flashback scene, as he and Bendis explore the aftermath of Howard Stark's funeral and the first encounter between Tony and Nick Fury. Between Maleev's textured art and the intentionally dreary colors of Paul Mounts, theis flashback has atmosphere to spare. In the present, Maleev reminds readers that he can render a superhero action scene with the best of them. It's a treat to see Maleev explore the many functions of Tony's new armor and generally bring a little more excitement into such a low-key storyline.
The Verdict
International Iron Man's first story arc comes to an uneven conclusion this month. This issue is easily the strongest showcase for Alex Maleev and Paul Mounts so far, blending moody character drama with high-flying action and heroics. Unfortunately, this issue fails to wrap up the Tony/Cassandra storyline on a satisfying note or justify why so much time has been devoted to that storyline at all. The series looks to be moving into more compelling territory, but why did it take this long?
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