REVIEW: ‘Iron Man’ Issue #1

Iron Man #1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Spencer Ackerman, art by Julius Ohta, colors by Alex Sinclair, and letters by Joe Caramagna. Iron Man faces attacks on his armor and the boardroom as he becomes the CEO of Stark Unlimited once again.

This issue has an interesting approach as it is written from an outsider’s perspective. Ackerman is a prolific journalist, stepping into comics for the first time. That lack of experience doesn’t show at all, and there is a seamless transition from Gerry Duggan’s run. The technological and corporate warfare that Iron Man faces is brilliantly written by someone who has seen it happen in the real world.

New concepts have been added to make the start of the Stark-Roxxon War as uncomfortable for Tony Stark as possible. The first scene features union talks that are a little on the nose, but they ultimately work well with the major theme of Iron Man #1. Iron Man is trying to stop the selling of weapons from Stark Unlimited but faces an insurmountable pushback from his board, filled with familiar faces.

The pace in Iron Man #1 is steady, giving the reader time to soak up what is happening. But the pace can brilliantly stop instantly when Tony’s suit is interfered with. There are also multiple fight scenes where the action intensifies. These are surprising returns and classic mantles resurfacing.

At no point is Stark comfortable in this opening issue. The dialogue and the characters are fantastically written. Ackmer captures Stark’s pessimism and glum attitude in his narration. He is getting older, which will also be represented well when he recovers from injuries. They take longer to heal and have a devastating effect on his mental health. Moves are being made around Stark as he’s laid up, often alone.

One of Stark’s most powerful attributes is his charm and status. And yet, in this first chapter, very few people respect him. He is looked at with pity and derision, with little respect from anyone. There are some significant differences when characters appear, hinting at extensive research and knowledge from the writer.

The art is fantastic. Ohta implements the high-tech parts of Iron Man’s armor with the upper-class bureaucracy of the boardroom. The armor is awesome and angular, a step up from the previous, streamlined model in the last run. But it often looks out of place and out of touch when visiting a factory full of workers, perfectly perpetuating the class divide between laborers and the boss.

In Iron Man #1, a superb variety of villains is on display. Some have been altered biologically, while others have changed the game technologically. Two have been turned into monsters with grotesque and terrifying designs. Even regular humans have sinister grins, making them dangerous and deceitful. Each fight has something different to it. Even with the repulsor rays, the battles are physical and intense.

The injuries Tony sustains affect his body. His arms and legs look thin, drastically thin. This shows how long he has been injured and how drastically his muscles have reduced. It makes Stark look weaker and unwell.

The colors in Iron Man #1 are spectacular. For much of the book, the dark tones reflect the gloomy mood. Iron Man’s armor profoundly contrasts against that darkness, with the iconic red and gold as a positive recognition of energy and enthusiasm. When there is light in the issue, it is bright, powerful, and impactful, drawing attention to the things it shines on. The lettering is slick, straightforward, and effortless to read.

Iron Man #1 is an excellent Marvel debut. Comics have always been accessible to those outside the industry, leading to diverse talent and ideas. For a newcomer to comics writing, Ackerman has nailed it. The personality of the character is perfect, and the dialogue is outstanding. There is the same amount of action and drama as an experienced pro would bring. And there is an intelligence and depth to the conversations that are enthused by his journalistic background. The level of detail in the writing and art is exceptional. A relentless set of opening blows delivered to Tony Stark shows how ruthless the Stark-Roxxon War will be.

Iron Man #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.