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IRON MAN #51
"Jane Doe"
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Mike Grell
Pencils: Michael Ryan
Inks: Sean Parsons
Colors: Edgar Tadeo
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.25 US/$3.65 CAN |
Mike Grell
asks us to take a lot on faith this issue, and for me, my suspension of
disbelief and willingness to swallow coincidences ran out about halfway through.
This has all the earmarks of a title where the writer's attention to real-life
issues is going to be the focus, rather than the character who belongs to the
book. Iron Man's place in this story feels forced, and though it remains
possible that the two storylines going on could be linked in some way, it's
going to take some impressive writing to manage it. On the up side, the artwork
is still very attractive, particularly on the fiery rescue toward the end.
I've recently read a lot of Mike Grell's work on Green Arrow, and though I found it a bit melodramatic and preachy at times, I did think that the street-level vigilantism approach was a perfect fit for DC's emerald archer. Unfortunately, he seems to be taking the same approach with Iron Man, and that is a character who doesn't really belong in those
surroundings. There are two stories in this issue, one that revolves around
global trade and seems to fit Tony Stark just fine, and the other a story of
teenage hookers that doesn't fit at all with Tony Stark. Grell sets Stark up as
a philanthropist who is personally involved in his charity, but it's a stretch,
and it seems to be done largely to give the reader a lecture about the evils of
teenage prostitution.
Mind you, the story isn't bad
all on its own. Abby St. Clair is an instantly likable young woman, and a
fascinating supporting character, and I like that Grell balanced her own tragic
past with artistic talent and a clear intelligence and drive. The new girl,
Shelly, brought to the shelter, is likewise an entertaining character, and
though I don't think that her interaction with the safe haven really had
anything to do with Tony Stark, I can't deny that as a story all its own, it's
not a bad read. I also enjoyed the high finance party that we see Tony at later
in the story, if only because it seemed a better fit for his character. The
various other high rollers were a lot of fun, and though I think Grell took the
sexism of two of those people to ridiculously blatant extremes, I enjoyed seeing
these sort of "business friendships" depicted so well.
Michael Ryan, Sean Parsons
and Edgar Tadeo are the real stars of the book for me, however, as they turn in
a fantastic job on artwork. Ryan's figures are sometimes a little stunted and
childlike, particularly when it comes to women like Pepper or Helen, but his
storytelling and general style is very attractive. In addition, I was quite
impressed with the action sequence, pitting Iron Man against a fire to save some
of the firefighters, with beautiful fire effects by Tadeo and a very vivid sense
of Iron Man's physical power.
However, the number of
coincidences and strange circumstances in this issue start to pile up on one
another, until by the end I was rolling my eyes. Though it adds tension, I can
find no believable reason why Tony would let his power supply get so low. Though
it adds tension, I can find no believable reason why Tony would be so deeply
involved in the daily operations of the haven. Mind you, the appearance of Abby
at the end leads me to believe that there may be revelations about haven that
put it more deeply into business affairs next issue, but if the fire turns out
to be yet another coincidence, Grell will have lost me completely.
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