In which Marm and I discuss Nu Iron Man #9, the 2021 Iron Man annual, the Manhunt arc from volume 3, and finally, Tales of Suspense #63 -- plus the usual tangents.

 

Here's some more from the actually-pretty-fantastic 2021 annual. Now, I happen to believe that Tony's defense contractor days are not in fact some terrible, lingering stain on his character and don't constitute evidence that he used to be a heel. (I don't even believe that was Tony's principal sin in the MCU. But that's a discussion for another day.) All the canonical evidence suggests that during that period, he genuinely believed his military inventions would save lives in the long run. But do I also believe that Tony himself would think the very worst about himself and his past -- even to the point that he would willingly leap into danger because he "deserves" to be in pain? Hell yes.

So the Hellfire Gala is a fail for me so far (which wasn't unexpected). But the Iron Man annual? It features BAMF Tony Stark flying off in a rage and avenging Miles Morales. And even though I have no strong feelings either way in re: Miles ... 1/2 pic.twitter.com/uw9wi7XjEs

— The Right Geek (@TheRightGeek) June 3, 2021

Click above for my immediate reaction to the 2021 annual, which has eff-all to do with what's going on in Cantwell's run -- but is still shockingly good for a Current Year Iron Man comic. 

In all seriousness, I opened this issue harboring zero expectations -- and found the most in-character story I've seen in a while. Granted, in my opinion, it's a little more MCU than 616 in overall tone, but -- like I said, I totally buy that Tony (in both his MCU and 616 incarnations) would lose his temper and visit vengeance on a villain who recently kidnapped and tortured a kid. And the fact that he ultimately prevails (sort of; this comic is part of a larger story that won't be complete until the end of the summer) by being a bad-ass, smart mother effer? Yes. Hook this stuff directly to my veins, please!

(PS: Tony is also a guest at the above-mentioned Hellfire Gala this month. I don't recommend reading that unless you can get the relevant issues for free somehow, but for the sake of completeness, my running commentary on said unasked-for event - which does feature some captures of Tony being rightfully suspicious of Krakoa-era mutant society - can be found here.)