Invincible Iron Man #14, which comes to us courtesy of Gerry Duggan, Andrea Di Vito, Bryan Valenza and Joe Caramagna, has a lot on its plate. It’s continuing to advance the battle against Orchis. It’s showcasing how this battle is taking a mental toll on Tony Stark. It’s continuing a subplot where Riri Williams must come to terms with the corruptive power of the Mandarin’s Ten Rings. Most importantly, this is one of two issues that apparently sets the stage for a major plot point in Fall of the House of X – which Duggan also happens to be writing.
That’s a lot for just one comic. It probably won’t surprise anyone to hear that Invincible Iron Man #14 doesn’t touch upon most of these. Tony having nightmares? It’s reduced to a few pages (and it’s a concept that Duggan handled far better in Fall of the House of X.) Tying into Fall of the House of X? Editors’ notes notwithstanding, you can read that series without having to pick this one up. While I enjoy Duggan showcasing how the rest of the Marvel Universe has been attempting to help mutantkind, particularly here and in the recent Uncanny Avengers miniseries, it’s clear that he might be stretched a little too thin.
Despite that, the subplot with Riri and Forge traveling the cosmos to forge weaponry out of mysterium is fun. I especially love how Duggan has Riri and Forge bonding; Riri is slowly coming to terms with the slippery slope she’s on and Forge – who knows more than a thing or two about how even the best of intentions can bite an inventor in the ass – provides a helping ear. Wherever this book goes post-Krakoa, this is a bond I’d love to see more of.
Even if the plotting of the book is haphazard, the art certainly isn’t. Di Vito, who stepped in to illustrate the issue that set up Tony’s marriage to Emma Frost, knows how to draw spectacle. His pages are full of awe-inspiring images, including Riri and Forge coming face to face with a massive dragon in space. Yes, you read that right. Most of the issue takes place in the realm of Nidavellir – the home of the elves – and seeing Di Vito merge fantasy and sci-fi effortlessly together is another reminder of how vast the Marvel Universe truly is.
For my money, the best sequence is the opening one, which features Iron Man in an intense battle against Magneto. Thanks to Di Vito, the Master of Magnetism looks positively menacing, his eyes obscured by his helmet and his cape flapping in the wind. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s drawn Tony in the Silver Centurion armor, which may or may not be this writer’s favorite Iron Man suit. But the rich colors from Valenza is what really drives it home; Iron Man’s bright red and silver, Magneto’s dark red and royal purple, and the smoky reddish-orange background paint a nightmarish image.
Invincible Iron Man #14 feels way too bogged down with plot, even if it does look gorgeous. Hopefully the next issue, which is slated to focus on War Machine, is more focused.
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