Nu Iron Man Day is here once again.

Capsule review: Christopher Cantwell finally remembers that Rhodey exists -- but I still have notes. 

(Click the jump for more specifics...)

First of all, if the start of this issue makes you wonder whether you've missed something, don't worry: you're not alone. Apparently, Cantwell decided to let Rhodey's capture happen completely off-panel. Because it's not like that would've been more interesting to read than a five-page-long back-and-forth between Tony and Patsy. Don't be silly!

Seriously: while it was less abusive than the Tony/Patsy scenes we've seen in previous issues, said back-and-forth was at least three pages too long -- and still low-key irritating. I'm not sure, for example, that this works: 

If the point of capturing Rhodey is to draw Tony out, then wouldn't Tony's putting up a traditional fuss actually give Korvac what he wants -- and thereby keep Rhodey alive? Indeed, if Tony stays underground, wouldn't it make sense, from Korvac's point-of-view, to openly kill Rhodey so as to ensure Tony's rage -- and his appearance? Am I just stupid here for not understanding Cantwell's logic?

(Oh, and by the way? Historically, Tony's had no problem leaping into obvious traps for the good of the world or of someone close to him. So I really don't buy his calm calculations here; I honestly think he would've acted on his first emotional impulse the second he realized Rhodey was missing.)

Meanwhile, this part of the conversation bothered me too:  

Here, Cantwell is trying to dig into why Tony wants to deal with this problem alone -- but he's just not capturing what actually goes on in Tony's head in moments like these. Once again, it's not merely about shielding his supposedly massive "ego." Pride does play a role, but Tony genuinely wants to protect his friends too -- and to him, this sometimes means piling a bunch of shit upon himself so the others can stay out of the line of fire and/or keep their hands clean. "I need to save face" is the wrong characterization; "I know the right answer here, and I'm willing to be a lightning rod of hate to pull it off" is more accurate. (See also: Armor Wars, in which Tony explicitly tells the West Coast Avengers that he doesn't want them to help precisely because he doesn't want them to become criminals too.)

Additionally, this "accountability" stuff continues to be exhausting. If there's anyone who's an expert at beating himself up over his own shortcomings, it's Tony Stark. But you know, I've already covered that in previous reviews, so I won't belabor the point here. Instead, let's move on to the panel we all knew was coming:  

Yeah. I'm not excited about this. Though, oddly enough, it's pretty good evidence for Tony's lack of self-esteem. If he's willing to sleep with someone who's done nothing so far but berate him for being "problematic" and "privileged," that would seem to belie the notion that his "arrogance" needs correction.

As for the rest of the issue? It's all set-up -- that, incidentally, violates Zack's Law. As Our Boi Zack always says (correctly, in my view), the title character needs to do at least one awesome thing in every issue of his comic. So let's see: Rhodey has his bad-ass moment fighting off three Controller discs. Tony's racing opponent from the first issue reveals he's a mutant and saves Tony's bacon. And Tony -- basically sits there uselessly.

Oops. Bad form, Cantwell. Bad form.

ETA: Here is the video follow-up!

On to the next issue!