Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Luke Ross
Release Date: 9th April 2014

While I’ll admit I only got last months issue because of the free trade, I genuinely went into this issue with a vested interest in it. This issue goes on to deal with Tony in the Dark Elves Realm, trying to bring the Mandarin’s rings down.

Gillen’s writing is as interesting and fresh as ever, with a strange take on how the rings communicate with each other that I don’t believe has ever been done before. We are also shown his his well-established proficiency with dialogue, which, when writing Stark, features just the right balance between quippy wisecracks and smarmy genius.

One of the only gripes I have with the issue is the same as I had with the previous one, namely the fact that Maliketh feels far too much like a Labyrinth reject with that mullet…

Its still an interesting take with Tony, that after everything he’s been through and all the different Armours he’s used, it almost seems like a backwards approach to be using “single-use” ones that have to be specific to the mission he’s on. It seems like someone of Tony’s intellect would have a better solution, but I suppose the one given is at least logical.

I’ve enjoyed the ride so far with the first two issues of this arc, and while I’m not a convert just yet, the story intrigues me enough that I’ll give it to the end of the arc before I properly pass judgement,

Rating: 3/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Chris Bennett
Article: And Now For Something Completely Different
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