Broken Frontier

The latest offering from the Marvel Adventures line proves a winner as Fred Van Lente provides an all-ages Armored Avenger for the 21st Century.

At a company press conference, Professor Yinsen berates Tony Stark for inadvertently allowing A.I.M. to use his technology to attack Madripoor. Some time later the scientific terrorist organization kidnaps Stark and pressures him into building an electromagnetic pulse generator. They need the device to complete their invasion of Madripoor where they intend to form a base from which to launch their proposed scientific dictatorship of the world.

Tony’s heart has been seriously damaged in his abduction. With the aid of the similarly kidnapped Yinsen though, he constructs a familiar armored suit and the two scientists take the battle to A.I.M.

Anyone disillusioned with the current 616-portrayal of Tony Stark need look no further than Van Lente, Cordeiro and Koblish’s wonderful new series from the ever-accessible Marvel Adventures line. This is good old-fashioned super-hero fun from cover to cover with plenty of nods and winks to the past.

Let’s talk about the book’s target audience first though. As an introduction to Iron Man’s world this opening issue is a great primer for the uninitiated. Unusually for a book in this line, it starts with an origin issue that skillfully underlines all the classic elements of Shellhead’s concept. It hearkens back to the days when Tony Stark was a flamboyant entrepreneur and inventor but still, underneath that slightly cocky persona, a true hero. Entirely suitable for the younger reader, it’s a worthy addition to the Marvel Adventures stable.

For us older readers though, it’s an absolute feast of nostalgia (perhaps ironically given that it transports Iron Man’s origin to 2007!). From Yinsen to Tony’s heart condition to sneaky mentions of "transistors," there’s scarcely a page goes by that doesn’t bring a smile to the veteran fan’s face. Those who enjoyed Van Lente’s Scorpion feature in the pages of Amazing Fantasy will also spot a very familiar face in this issue.

James Cordeiro’s pencils are hugely impressive, fully realizing the technological focus of Iron Man’s world, and he’s ably assisted by Scott Koblish on inks. As for the Michael Golden cover, well, if that doesn’t persuade a few casual shoppers to at least take a look at the interiors I’m not sure what will.

A very strong opener from an imprint that never fails to capture that old-time Marvel magic. Do yourself a huge favor, pick this up and remind yourself of a time when Marvel Comics were fun!