With a new volume, I thought I’d dive in and see where Tony Stark was in his life/crisis. I read a bit of the last volume but fell off, not because of quality but mostly the amount of comics to keep up with. So, going into Invincible Iron Man #1 I was mostly unaware of where things are in Tony’s life. Thankfully, the comic does a solid job of catching readers up as it rockets into a new direction and adventure.

Written by Gerry Duggan, Tony’s at a low point in his life. Told through a narrative as he works on his autobiography, we’re given the quick recap of where things stand. He no longer has his fortune or his companies. He’s living in a brownstone in New York City. He’s down to a couple of suits of armor. He’s on fumes is the general sense of where things are at. But, he still has his mind and can invent things, so he’s not completely down and out. Unfortunately, someone’s trying to kill him.

When Tony can’t get lower, he does exactly that losing the last bit of things he has to hold on to and convinced someone’s trying to kill him. Well, he’s right there and that opens up the mystery to come as a villain, either a new one or one from his past, is making his life a further living hell.

The art by Juan Frigeri is solid. With color by Bryan Valenza and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the comic looks good and delivers its punches well. What really works is the balance of how the story’s told and the art. For the most part it’s a voice over with Tony recounting his life as he dictates his autobiography. The visuals act as almost a montage of where things are with a slight picture frame delivery of the art. The comic is also able to balance delivering the punches of an explosion and battle with the dour moments of Tony as he slips out of control. It’s a superhero comic but one with a bit of gloom hanging over it. The art captures the sadness.

Invincible Iron Man #1 is a great start that does an excellent job of balancing what has been going on with what’s to come. It should continue to hook and excite long time readers while acting as a perfecting starting point for new ones as well.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Juan Frigeri
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.1 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle