IRON MAN vol. 3 #87 (432)
(Oct. 2004) "The Singularity, part 2."
Cover art: Pat Lee.
Script: Mark Ricketts.
Art: Tony Harris/Tom Feister, Charles Wallace.
I'm still having disgusting "Crossing" flashbacks! HELP!! Pepper and Happy ponder just what the hell is up with Tony since he murdered his entire board of directors (yikes!), while Rumiko and pal Oshima continue their banter about Tony Stark. Not much to report except an interesting little diddy where Iron Man thwarted a plot by rival industrialist Clarence Ward to assist al-Qaeda in Iraq (what's that -- a big locust?? LOL!!) Stark sits in his "isolation chamber" while recharging his heart, and appears to get a headache .... woefully akin to the "Crossing." Pitiful. In a not-too-clear sequence, Iron Man then fries Ru's pal Oshima, and then kills Rumiko herself!! Is it Stark in the armor...or is the armor operating on its own? My hunch is that the artificial heart (ultimately revealed to be of Ultron origin) is finally coming in to play. This hunch is further strengthened by the fact that Ultron himself just reappeared in AVENGERS #500.
Ricketts does a good job with the dialogue (can't blame him for the plot -- he's just doing what he's told by Quesada & Co.) and Harris' art once again is pleasing in a Bryan Hitch-like manner. My problem with the whole deal is the seeming complete lack of originality. The "Crossing" was an unmitigated disaster (it led to the various volume 2 issues headed by Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld and troops) so they're looking to try it again? Smart! I also read that there's going to be a team of TEEN Avengers coming up? Sound like ... TEEN Tony Stark? Yeah, that was a winner! In addition, stand by for yet another number one issue (apparently volume 4) of Iron Man, according to recent comic convention reports.
Hube's Recommendation: 2 repulsors!
Fan Reaction: I did not care for the killing of Rumiko, and in my heart I hope she is not dead. But with the looming relaunch I guess she can come back and everything will be ok again. The book feels like it is on auto pilot until the new volume kicks in. I'm just not enjoying Iron Man like I used to. While a relaunch is not needed maybe it will kick start the series again. Another teenage Tony, will Marvel never learn ?!?!? -- Kenneth
Fan Reaction 2: The Ultrons in Avengers 500, none of which were the true Ultron, only reinforce my theory that the man behind the Avengers recent problems - Iron Man's included - is Yellowjacket. As bad as The Crossing storyline was, this is going to be much worse! -- jfm2004@juno.com
Fan Reaction 3: I don't mind Rumiko being killed off. I always thought she was written as too flighty. If Tony is going to get a new girlfriend in the upcoming series, let it be Bethany Cabe. She was tough as Tony and hasn't been seen since the original series.
-- FastMike
