Iron Man #26

Reviewed: Iron Man #26 by Joe Quesada, Sean Chen and Rob Hunter

The Plot: As Tony Stark grapples with his relationship with Rumiko, an old foe reappears and battles Iron Man to a devastating climax.

It's entirely appropriate that this story features the Iron Man suit running around empty for a bit (Tony Stark needs to appear at an event as both himself and his armored alter-ego), because new writer Joe Quesada clearly plans to examine the relationship between these two characters, Tony Stark and Iron Man.

The title of Quesada's debut arc, "The Mask in the Iron Man," is another giveaway, not just a play on a classic title. Quesada spends most of the issue focusing on Tony Stark and his inner thoughts, although there are plenty of cool action scenes as well.

I really have to congratulate Quesada on what he has done here. In one issue, he has given this title focus, direction and excitement that has been promised, but lacking, since it was relaunched two years ago. Previous writer Kurt Busiek delivered two years worth of serviceable, and sometimes above-average, superhero comics, but never really generated the same kind of thrills he does on a monthly basis over in Avengers, my favourite Marvel title.

If Quesada and Chen can maintain the level they set with this issue (and there's no reason to think they can't, deadlines notwithstanding), Iron Man could easily rival the Avengers as my favourite Marvel comic. Quesada gets more into Tony Stark's head in his first two pages than we have been in quite a while, as the multi-billionaire reflects on his privileged existence, and how it all may mean nothing compared to his relationship with Rumiko.

I should mention here that Quesada's script is greatly enhanced by the top-notch efforts of penciler Sean Chen (and inker Rob Hunter). Chen has been on-board since the relaunch of this title over two years ago, and while his work has mirrored Busiek (always serviceable, sometimes above-average), he really stepped up to the plate in illustrating Quesada's freshman script. His art is more detailed than it has ever been, and some shots are absolutely stunning, such as the full-page shot of Tony Stark on page 2, and multiple full and half-page shots of Iron Man in action.

Kurt Busiek never really seemed to know what to do with Tony's romantic relationship with Rumiko, and Quesada uses that indecisiveness to spur his plot here. Tony wants Rumiko, cares about her, is intrigued by her--but is infuriated by her youthful attitudes and actions. And Stark is completely floored when Rumiko lets loose with her thoughts on their relationship. Quesada illuminates the nuances of an adult romantic relationship with unexpected skill, and tells a much richer story than I had been expecting. Yes, it turns into a sooperhero battle, but the fight is influenced by the emotional turmoil Stark is going through, and the climax of the story, to be continued of course, was completely unexpected and leaves the reader wanting more. Now.

Quesada and Chen have taken the first two years of this title and built on it terrifically. They haven't disregarded Busiek's run at all, but have taken it and, as Emiril would say, kicked it up a notch. Or two. My only two complaints about this issue would be a caption on page 3 describing Rumiko as wearing a black dress when, well, it's red; also, the final panel has one of those newspapers with the fake text gibberish on it. It was a minor distraction as the cliffhanger ending was just soaking into my consciousness. But these are minor quibbles indeed. Iron Man #26 is great fun, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where Quesada and Chen are planning to go next.