Ultimate Bookshelf 2.0: Iron Man
April 3, 2008 - It's that time again. A major comic icon is getting the big budget movie treatment, so we at IGN Comics chose to dust off our Ultimate Bookshelf 2.0 feature once more. The character in question this time is Iron Man – billionaire, inventor, playboy, and defender of the free world.
Each one of these books was selected based on its importance to the character and its ability to withstand the test of time. If you're looking for classic, definitive Iron Man tales, this is as good as it gets. As a special bonus, we tell how each story connects to the movie, whether it's a certain type of armor or a recurring villain.
Armor Wars
Written By: David Micheline & Bob Layton
Art By: Mark Bright & Barry Windsor-Smith
Original Date of Publication: 1987-1988
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #225-232
Analysis: Many readers like to complain that Iron Man is being unfairly portrayed as a villain and a double-crossing jerk in the current comics. "There's no precedent for such a thing!" they cry. Not true. One of Tony's defining traits is his willingness to go to extremes to do what needs to be done. There is no better example of this fact than the storyline Armor Wars (referred to in the original issues as Stark Wars).
In this story, Iron Man wages a personal war against various supervillains wearing armor based on Stark's stolen designs. In these issues Iron Man battles everyone from Crimson Dynamo to The Beetle to even Stilt-Man with a brutality that shocks many of his close allies and supporters. After a series of events, including the accidental death of an enemy, Iron Man becomes an international fugitive. This classic storyline takes a long hard look at the line between dedication and obsession, and ultimately foreshadows the chilling conflict to come in Civil War.
Connection to the movie: Stark has a habit of losing his weapon designs to spies and rival businessmen. In the movie, Iron Monger is born when Stark's rival Obadiah Stane builds his own perverted Iron Man suit.
Demon in Bottle
Written By: David Micheline & Bob Layton
Art By: John Romita, Jr. & Bob Layton
Original Date of Publication: 1979
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #120-128
Analysis: Some of the very best superhero stories have come from seeing a character sink to their lowest depths. The low point of Tony Stark's career was undoubtedly Demon in a Bottle, a storyline that saw the once thriving businessman lose everything and sink into a mire of despair and alcoholism.
Much of the story is a battle between Iron Man and his industrial rival Justin Hammer, who unleashes a full army of minor supervillains. While the alcoholism element doesn't really become a factor until late in the story, what little there is has made Demon in a Bottle one of the most memorable and important Iron Man stories of all time. Just as we cringed at every new downturn in Matt Murdock's wretched life in Born Again, so too do we feel for Stark as he drowns his sorrows in a bottle. Alcoholic superheroes may not be anything special these days, but back in the '70s this was powerful, controversial stuff. It may not be as controversial now, but the story has lost none of its power.
Connection to the movie: Stark's alcoholism won't really play into the first movie, but Jon Favreau has hinted it could play a much more central role in the sequel.
Doomquest
Written By: David Micheline & Bob Layton
Art By: John Romita, Jr. & Bob Layton
Original Date of Publication: 1981, 1989
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #149-150, 249-250
Analysis: There's a big reason David Micheline and Bob Layton are the only two writers to appear multiple times in this Bookshelf. Over the years these two writers created what many believe to be the definitive Iron Man run. Alongside Demon in a Bottle, Doomquest is one of the high points of their work with the character.
If Iron Man and Dr. Doom traveling back in time and meeting King Arthur sounds silly, well, it is. That doesn't mean both chapters of Doomquest aren't rousing good fun. Doom makes for one terrific Iron Man villain, and the juxtaposition of science vs. magic is arguably more interesting than in most stories featuring resident Iron Man sorcerer, The Mandarin. The fact that Brian Michael Bendis has referenced these issues more than once over the last year is a testament to their classic status. And with the third part of the Doomquest trilogy nearing release, Iron Man fans would do well to catch up on the first two chapters.
Connection to the movie: As fun as Doomquest is, we'd be surprised if this story had any influence on the movie. Intrigued, but very surprised.It's that time again. A major comic icon is getting the big budget movie treatment, so we at IGN Comics chose to dust off our Ultimate Bookshelf 2.0 feature once more. The character in question this time is Iron Man – billionaire, inventor, playboy, and defender of the free world.
Each one of these books was selected based on its importance to the character and its ability to withstand the test of time. If you're looking for classic, definitive Iron Man tales, this is as good as it gets. As a special bonus, we tell how each story connects to the movie, whether it's a certain type of armor or a recurring villain.
Extremis
Written By: Warren Ellis
Art By: Adi Granov
Original Date of Publication: 2004-2005
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 4) #1-6
Analysis: When the comics industry began to rebound in the late earlier in the decade, many characters were revamped with groundbreaking stories and more mature storytelling. For a long time, though Iron Man continued to languish while other heroes enjoyed newfound levels of popularity. It wasn't until Warren Ellis launched a new Iron Man series in 2004 that the character found his new voice.
Aside from being one of the most lavish and beautifully-illustrated Iron Man stories ever, Extremis revamped the character in a number of ways. Ellis reexamined the hero's origin as a prisoner of war who built a suit of armor to stave off death. In the present, when Stark is confronted with a threat he can't overcome, Ellis forces Stark to evolve and become an entirely new breed of hero. With new powers and a new outlook, Extremis birthed a new Iron Man that every comic since has drawn inspiration from.
Connection to the movie: Artist Adi Granov also served as visual designer for the movie, so it comes as no surprise that the movie suit closely resembles the suit in Extremis. Beyond that, it's likely Stark's origin in the movie will draw heavy inspiration from this tale.
The Mask in the Iron Man
Written By: Joe Quesada
Art By: Sean Chen & Alitha Martinez
Original Date of Publication: 2001
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 3) #27-30, 1/2
Analysis: Before he was Marvel's editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada was known to create the occasional comic or two. While most readers will remember Quesada's art on the first two arcs of Daredevil, he also made a name for himself as a writer on Iron Man. In fact, Quesada's storyline The Mask in the Iron Man may very well be the greatest Iron Man story no one has read.
Essentially, this story sees the Iron Man armor gain sentience and battle its creator. Never mind how. It would only hurt your head. The important thing is that this superbly-crafted tale look at Stark from the inside out. Quesada poses the question – is the Iron Man suit really a force for good, or is it merely a method for Stark to keep himself separated from the trials and tribulations of the world?
Connection to the movie: Nothing really, though the producers might do well to look at this storyline for future sequels.
Ultimate Iron Man I & II
Written By: Orson Scott Card
Art By: Various
Original Date of Publication: 2006, 2008
Issue Span: Ultimate Iron Man #1-5, Ultimate Iron Man II #1-5
Analysis: The goal of the Ultimate universe is to present new and modernized takes on classic Marvel characters. However, in many cases the updated characters don't read much differently than their original counterparts. One instance where this is very much not true is Ultimate Iron Man. This re-imagining of Tony Stark is a very unique and compelling take on the character, while still retaining many of the core elements we love about the original.
Ultimate Tony Stark does not build a powerful suit of armor while imprisoned in a camp. Instead, his armor is the end result of years of experimentation and attempts to offset his unusual genetic condition. With brain cells twisting out into every inch of his body, this super-genius resorts to alcohol abuse just to dull the constant and very physical pain of being alive. Orson Scott Card took and already fascinating character in The Ultimates and crafted a fascinating origin tale. We complained at the time that Ultimate Iron Man I ended abruptly, but with the sequel nearly completed that's no longer as big a problem.
Connection to the movie: Though he doesn't appear as Iron Monger, a young Obadiah Stane is a recurring character in both volumes.
Other Relevant Trades
Though not necessarily deserving of classic status, these other trades are well worth a look if you need more Iron Man in you life.
Civil War – The story that redefined Iron Man's role in the Marvel Universe has also polarized many readers. Some love the authoritarian role Stark is thrust in, while others still decry Marvel for turning Iron Man into the Marvel Universe's greatest villain. Even if you skip this trade, be sure to check out the epilogue issue Civil War: The Confession, which is one of the most poignant and well-written Iron Man comics ever published.
Invincible Iron Man Omnibus Vol. 1 – Set for release shortly before the movie, this immense tome collects the earliest adventures of Iron Man from the '60s. Though a little rough by modern standards, these vintage comics are still highly entertaining and present a fascinating look at the evolution of the character. Like most of Marvel's Omnibus editions, it actually provides a pretty good value if you shop around a little.
Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Even those who hated the changes Civil War brought to the character have been hard-pressed to find fault with the current direction of Iron Man's ongoing series. Now serving as the director of the world peace-keeping force S.H.I.E.L.D., Iron Man finds himself with a whole new series of challenges to overcome. The series has taken on a very distinctive and enjoyable espionage tone, and classic villain The Mandarin has been elevated to the ranks of Marvel's greatest villains once more.
The Many Armors of Iron Man – This is another collection of classic Iron man stories conveniently issued to coincide with the movie. This trade jumps through multiple time periods to present stories featuring some of Stark's more popular armor variations. Everything from the Stealth Armor to the Deep Sea Armor is on display here.
Source: http://comics.ign.com/articles/864/864447p1.html
Each one of these books was selected based on its importance to the character and its ability to withstand the test of time. If you're looking for classic, definitive Iron Man tales, this is as good as it gets. As a special bonus, we tell how each story connects to the movie, whether it's a certain type of armor or a recurring villain.
Written By: David Micheline & Bob Layton
Art By: Mark Bright & Barry Windsor-Smith
Original Date of Publication: 1987-1988
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #225-232
Analysis: Many readers like to complain that Iron Man is being unfairly portrayed as a villain and a double-crossing jerk in the current comics. "There's no precedent for such a thing!" they cry. Not true. One of Tony's defining traits is his willingness to go to extremes to do what needs to be done. There is no better example of this fact than the storyline Armor Wars (referred to in the original issues as Stark Wars).
In this story, Iron Man wages a personal war against various supervillains wearing armor based on Stark's stolen designs. In these issues Iron Man battles everyone from Crimson Dynamo to The Beetle to even Stilt-Man with a brutality that shocks many of his close allies and supporters. After a series of events, including the accidental death of an enemy, Iron Man becomes an international fugitive. This classic storyline takes a long hard look at the line between dedication and obsession, and ultimately foreshadows the chilling conflict to come in Civil War.
Connection to the movie: Stark has a habit of losing his weapon designs to spies and rival businessmen. In the movie, Iron Monger is born when Stark's rival Obadiah Stane builds his own perverted Iron Man suit.
Written By: David Micheline & Bob Layton
Art By: John Romita, Jr. & Bob Layton
Original Date of Publication: 1979
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #120-128
Analysis: Some of the very best superhero stories have come from seeing a character sink to their lowest depths. The low point of Tony Stark's career was undoubtedly Demon in a Bottle, a storyline that saw the once thriving businessman lose everything and sink into a mire of despair and alcoholism.
Much of the story is a battle between Iron Man and his industrial rival Justin Hammer, who unleashes a full army of minor supervillains. While the alcoholism element doesn't really become a factor until late in the story, what little there is has made Demon in a Bottle one of the most memorable and important Iron Man stories of all time. Just as we cringed at every new downturn in Matt Murdock's wretched life in Born Again, so too do we feel for Stark as he drowns his sorrows in a bottle. Alcoholic superheroes may not be anything special these days, but back in the '70s this was powerful, controversial stuff. It may not be as controversial now, but the story has lost none of its power.
Connection to the movie: Stark's alcoholism won't really play into the first movie, but Jon Favreau has hinted it could play a much more central role in the sequel.
Written By: David Micheline & Bob Layton
Art By: John Romita, Jr. & Bob Layton
Original Date of Publication: 1981, 1989
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #149-150, 249-250
Analysis: There's a big reason David Micheline and Bob Layton are the only two writers to appear multiple times in this Bookshelf. Over the years these two writers created what many believe to be the definitive Iron Man run. Alongside Demon in a Bottle, Doomquest is one of the high points of their work with the character.
If Iron Man and Dr. Doom traveling back in time and meeting King Arthur sounds silly, well, it is. That doesn't mean both chapters of Doomquest aren't rousing good fun. Doom makes for one terrific Iron Man villain, and the juxtaposition of science vs. magic is arguably more interesting than in most stories featuring resident Iron Man sorcerer, The Mandarin. The fact that Brian Michael Bendis has referenced these issues more than once over the last year is a testament to their classic status. And with the third part of the Doomquest trilogy nearing release, Iron Man fans would do well to catch up on the first two chapters.
Connection to the movie: As fun as Doomquest is, we'd be surprised if this story had any influence on the movie. Intrigued, but very surprised.It's that time again. A major comic icon is getting the big budget movie treatment, so we at IGN Comics chose to dust off our Ultimate Bookshelf 2.0 feature once more. The character in question this time is Iron Man – billionaire, inventor, playboy, and defender of the free world.
Each one of these books was selected based on its importance to the character and its ability to withstand the test of time. If you're looking for classic, definitive Iron Man tales, this is as good as it gets. As a special bonus, we tell how each story connects to the movie, whether it's a certain type of armor or a recurring villain.
Written By: Warren Ellis
Art By: Adi Granov
Original Date of Publication: 2004-2005
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 4) #1-6
Analysis: When the comics industry began to rebound in the late earlier in the decade, many characters were revamped with groundbreaking stories and more mature storytelling. For a long time, though Iron Man continued to languish while other heroes enjoyed newfound levels of popularity. It wasn't until Warren Ellis launched a new Iron Man series in 2004 that the character found his new voice.
Aside from being one of the most lavish and beautifully-illustrated Iron Man stories ever, Extremis revamped the character in a number of ways. Ellis reexamined the hero's origin as a prisoner of war who built a suit of armor to stave off death. In the present, when Stark is confronted with a threat he can't overcome, Ellis forces Stark to evolve and become an entirely new breed of hero. With new powers and a new outlook, Extremis birthed a new Iron Man that every comic since has drawn inspiration from.
Connection to the movie: Artist Adi Granov also served as visual designer for the movie, so it comes as no surprise that the movie suit closely resembles the suit in Extremis. Beyond that, it's likely Stark's origin in the movie will draw heavy inspiration from this tale.
Written By: Joe Quesada
Art By: Sean Chen & Alitha Martinez
Original Date of Publication: 2001
Issue Span: Iron Man (Vol. 3) #27-30, 1/2
Analysis: Before he was Marvel's editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada was known to create the occasional comic or two. While most readers will remember Quesada's art on the first two arcs of Daredevil, he also made a name for himself as a writer on Iron Man. In fact, Quesada's storyline The Mask in the Iron Man may very well be the greatest Iron Man story no one has read.
Essentially, this story sees the Iron Man armor gain sentience and battle its creator. Never mind how. It would only hurt your head. The important thing is that this superbly-crafted tale look at Stark from the inside out. Quesada poses the question – is the Iron Man suit really a force for good, or is it merely a method for Stark to keep himself separated from the trials and tribulations of the world?
Connection to the movie: Nothing really, though the producers might do well to look at this storyline for future sequels.
Written By: Orson Scott Card
Art By: Various
Original Date of Publication: 2006, 2008
Issue Span: Ultimate Iron Man #1-5, Ultimate Iron Man II #1-5
Analysis: The goal of the Ultimate universe is to present new and modernized takes on classic Marvel characters. However, in many cases the updated characters don't read much differently than their original counterparts. One instance where this is very much not true is Ultimate Iron Man. This re-imagining of Tony Stark is a very unique and compelling take on the character, while still retaining many of the core elements we love about the original.
Ultimate Tony Stark does not build a powerful suit of armor while imprisoned in a camp. Instead, his armor is the end result of years of experimentation and attempts to offset his unusual genetic condition. With brain cells twisting out into every inch of his body, this super-genius resorts to alcohol abuse just to dull the constant and very physical pain of being alive. Orson Scott Card took and already fascinating character in The Ultimates and crafted a fascinating origin tale. We complained at the time that Ultimate Iron Man I ended abruptly, but with the sequel nearly completed that's no longer as big a problem.
Connection to the movie: Though he doesn't appear as Iron Monger, a young Obadiah Stane is a recurring character in both volumes.
Other Relevant Trades
Though not necessarily deserving of classic status, these other trades are well worth a look if you need more Iron Man in you life.
Civil War – The story that redefined Iron Man's role in the Marvel Universe has also polarized many readers. Some love the authoritarian role Stark is thrust in, while others still decry Marvel for turning Iron Man into the Marvel Universe's greatest villain. Even if you skip this trade, be sure to check out the epilogue issue Civil War: The Confession, which is one of the most poignant and well-written Iron Man comics ever published.
Invincible Iron Man Omnibus Vol. 1 – Set for release shortly before the movie, this immense tome collects the earliest adventures of Iron Man from the '60s. Though a little rough by modern standards, these vintage comics are still highly entertaining and present a fascinating look at the evolution of the character. Like most of Marvel's Omnibus editions, it actually provides a pretty good value if you shop around a little.
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Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Even those who hated the changes Civil War brought to the character have been hard-pressed to find fault with the current direction of Iron Man's ongoing series. Now serving as the director of the world peace-keeping force S.H.I.E.L.D., Iron Man finds himself with a whole new series of challenges to overcome. The series has taken on a very distinctive and enjoyable espionage tone, and classic villain The Mandarin has been elevated to the ranks of Marvel's greatest villains once more.
The Many Armors of Iron Man – This is another collection of classic Iron man stories conveniently issued to coincide with the movie. This trade jumps through multiple time periods to present stories featuring some of Stark's more popular armor variations. Everything from the Stealth Armor to the Deep Sea Armor is on display here.
Source: http://comics.ign.com/articles/864/864447p1.html
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