IRON MAN vol. 3 #65 (410)
(April 2003) "Manhunt" part one.
Cover art: Michael Ryan.
Script:Mike Grell, Robin Laws.
Art: Michael Ryan/Sean Parsons.
The ish opens up in Washington, D.C. where some terrorist dude blasts the living crap out of the Chinese Embassy, but also takes out the parking garage in which his vehicle was parked. Elsewhere, Tony and Rumiko are getting amorous, and once again Ru shows how totally inconsiderate she can be -- this time when Tony tries talking about Happy's problems, Ru just ups and leaves stating "Call me when it's me you need." Nice. Tone then sees the news about the embassy on the tube, and jets off as IM to assist. After the rescue mission, we cut to an underground [apparently clandestine] subway tunnel where Iron Manconfronts none other than Nick Fury! Stark discloses to us that it was HIS invention -- a "particle beam torpedo" -- that was responsible for the embassy destruction, and he wants to know how -- and why -- the Pentagon let the plans get out! Fury doesn't let on much, and IM skedaddles, stating that he himself will have to find the culprit. Later, Tony and Pepper discuss Happy's drinking problem, whereupon Tony later confronts Hap at a tavern. He discloses Pepper's aborted pregnancy, Hap gets pissed, takes a swing at Stark...and then is shot -- by a bullet meant for Tony!
This beginning of "Manhunt" has a definite "Armor Wars" feel to it, so let's hope Laws can make it interesting with a different feel. This first chapter, at least so far, holds the reader. Ryan and Parsons' art continues to improve -- lighter lines make for more appealing visuals, and their Iron Man is truly outstanding -- but is it me or can't Ryan draw ears correctly?? Why does everyone's aural sensors look as if they've been in the boxing ring with Happy for a few rounds? Cripes!
Hube's Recommendation: 3 repulsors!
Fan Reaction: Hube, you hit this review right on the mark. This story does show interest and it did hold my attention. The only problem I had with the issue is what appears to me to be revisionist history once again on the part of Marvel. This weapon that was stolen from Tony makes it seem that Tony only got out of the weapons buisness a few years ago. Now all of us long time Iron Man fans know that Tony stopped making weapons almost 30 years ago! Also, I really feal that Rumiko has had her day. Find another love for Tony or no love at all but get rid of Ru! -- SZKZ
Fan Reaction 2: Hube - I'm much too excited about this issue. Where 64 left me feeling kinda dry (yet another Superhero Superbattle without an ending - ho-hum), #65 has me jazzed! I'm delightfully smug that I correctly predicted the direction Mr Breevort had in mind for this issue (although he chastised me for my assumptions on comicboard.com), and even MORE smug that the secret ID issue, which Tom Breevort and Mike Grell both declared a non-issue, is now THE issue! (say that five times fast :p). Overall, however, this issue had it all - Stark and his company, Stark and his loves (blechhh!, but at least there's a STORY), Stark and his friends (Happy is falling apart), Stark and 'intrigue' - who released the documents? who tried to shoot Stark, or were they aiming for Happy and hit their target? - Stark and his no-longer secret ID, and, who can forget, STARK and SHIELD. It was such an absolute joy to see Nick Fury in the book again, and with the same "I'll tell ya what you need to know, if that" attitude. So, what has been a slow, ponderous, boring feel-good title has finally blasted back into glory. Now, they have 4 more issues to completely screw it up :). For those of you who believe in a 'god', please pray for Robin Laws :).
-- TJ ( ironfandudez@msn.com - come join in on the discussion at our own 'mailing list'!)
Fan Reaction 3: Hube, I have to agree with you on every aspect of this issue. It does have an "Armor Wars" feel to it and that never is a bad thing. I think this arc is going to be a great turning point for Iron Man. And while I never hated Grell's run, I never really got into it. Every writer so far has had at least one memorable story, even Tieri with the Ultron story, but Grell never came close. About Rumiko, I loved Busiek's and Quesada's take on her so much that I wanted Tony to settle down with her, but Grell has killed that. He turned Rumiko into a selfish brat that deserves to be next on Spymaster's hit list, all because he wanted her out of the way to get Tony and Pepper together. She's lost that compassionate side of her that the previous writers really captured. Before, even when she took on the personality of a spoiled teenager, you always got the sense that she really loved Tony. The "Mask in the Iron Man" story is a perfect example of this, as well as issue # 31. I just hope Laws can make her likeable again. Great site! --nnjfernandez@prodigy.net
