Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: David Marquez
Colourist: Justin Ponser
Editors: Tom Brevoort, Katie Kubert
Release date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

Writer Brian Michael Bendis is on a roll. The new Netflix series AKA Jessica Jones based on his comic Alias will debut in November. And after redefining both the Avengers and X-Men, Bendis now gets a shot at Tony Stark in Invincible Iron Man #1.

The first thing about Invincible Iron Man #1 is the bling, and Tony Stark’s new suit caps the climax. “I finally found a way to merge all my different armour modes into one,” Tony says. That means it changes shape and function for Stark with just a thought. And helping Stark out is the computer AI Friday, presumably to help cement the comic’s synergy with the Marvel cinematic universe. Friday advices Tony to be on time for his date since women hate tardiness. “They call it strike one,” Friday says.

In Invincible Iron Man #1 the story starts out with an homage to the movies Repo Man and Pulp Fiction, as baddie Madame Masque steals a briefcase containing a golden glow. And after she burgles Dr. Doom’s Latverian castle Tony Stark finally gets to put his new suit to the test.

As usual Bendis’s dialogue is an absolute joy to read, whether Tony’s bantering with his date Amara Perera, or comparing curing mutants to curing Judaism. The quips come fast and hard, and few comic book writers can match his humour. Amara Perera expects Tony to live up to his reputation. “That was the old me,” he tells her. “How long has this new you been you?” Perera asks. “Almost four hours,” Tony answers.

Artist David Marquez and colorist Justin Ponser are more than up to the task, and the panels are beautifully illustrated.

Once again Bendis immerses the reader into his universe and if you don’t go with the Bendis way, then you, my friend, have no business reading comic books.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker