IRON MAN vol. 3 #86 (431)
(Sept. 2004) "The Singularity, part 1."
Cover art: Pat Lee.
Script: Mark Ricketts.
Art: Tony Harris/Tom Feister.
Part of the "Avengers Disassembled" cross-over. Big hassle with this issue, however: AVENGERS #500 should have come out first, but it didn't. So, if you're confused about the references to Stark/Iron Man threatening the Latverian ambassador, you ain't the only one! Rumiko plays a prominent role, but Lord only knows why (well, I guess Ricketts knows too). Stark/IM informs pal Happy Hogan about his "being possessed" and warns him to "steer clear of 5th Avenue." Stark/IM later commences an attack on his own building, electrocuting a member of his board of directors in the process! Happy and Pepper have to run for cover during the melee! Then we're treated to a Rumiko flashback of several months ago! Whaaa...?
The best part of the ish is where several female Stark employees are bantering about Tony Stark while heading to the ladies' room. However, the entire feel of this issue reminds me of the dreaded CROSSING where, as any devoted Iron Fan knows, Tony Stark was "possessed" by Kang (later revealed to be Immortus in AVENGERS FOREVER), proceeded to "off" several Avengers, die, and then be replaced by a parallel universe (teen) analogue of himself! The coloring of this ish is woefully lame, but Harris' art is pretty good, having a very Bryan Hitch (of the ULTIMATES) feel to it.
Hube's Recommendation: repulsors!
Fan Reaction: You were dead on about the entire issue feeling just like "The Crossing." I got the same creepy sensation of dread as I read it. I can only cringe at the thoughts of where this entire "Avengers Disassemled" fiasco is heading. I thought Marvel learned their lesson with big shakeup "events" in the 90s? I mean, they dropped JJM for THIS? Oh well. Keep up the good work dude. I love your review. -- Luke
Fan Reaction 2: Thank God, Iron Man has a previously page now. I can keep track with the current Avengers storyline since #500 hasn't come out yet with what's going on with Iron Man! -- FastMike71@aol.com
Fan Reaction 3: First off I really like your IM site, it is the best ! One thing that really bothers me about this new arc is the art. It really does turn me off and I cannot see it brining new readers to the book. The reaction to it at my local comic shop was not positive in the least. I will continue to buy the book but hope this art does not last very long. -- delucia@bitstreet.com
Fan Reaction 4: Once again, Marvel has gone messed up a great thing. John Jackson Miller was one of the best writers we have had on this book in quite a while. I believe he was just hitting his stride with the Arsenal storyline. Those two issues were the best I have read in quite sometime. Now, Marvel has decided to change creative teams once again (What happened to the days when someone like Michelinie or O’Neil stayed on the book for several years! Whoa that is a concept.). They have even decided to try once again the great Marvel crossover issues from the 80’s and the 90’s (Correct me if I am wrong but weren’t most of them duds.) However, this time out of the gate they can’t even publish the right issues in the correct order. Now, that I have gotten that off my chest let me say that I agree Hube with your review this story arc has a bad feel and tone. I was into the whole Disassembled storyline through all of the prologue issues. Now with IM 431 and Avengers 500 I feel they are taking us places we have been before. We as fans did not like it then and I doubt we shall again.
A few notes on the issue it self. Where did Ru come from? I thought we were done with her for good. Bring back Bethany Cabe!!! The art or coloring what ever it is, is dreadful. I think that Phillip Tan was better. (Can’t believe I said that) Well guys I feel that it’s going to be a bumpy road that next few months and I don’t think we have seen the bottom yet. -- SZKZ
