Iron Man Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #28

Marvel Comics
Iron Man Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #28
By Hervé St-Louis
June 7, 2008 - 11:30

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Daniel Knauf, Charles Knauf
Penciller(s): Roberto de la Torre
Inker(s): Roberto de la Torre
Colourist(s): Dean White
Letterer(s): Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist(s): Gerald Paret
$2.99 US, $3.05 Canada

Iron Man has a final showdown against the Mandarin over the airborne Extremis virus that the villain wants to release all over the world. But time is running out for Iron Man as he and his S.H.I.E.L.D. associates may see their United Nations mandate revoked because they are thought to have perpetrated a terrorist attack on American soil. Can Iron Man escape the bureaucrats in time to save the world?

All the political intrigue and trickery used in previous issues, such as the Mandarin obtaining the secret formula of the Extremis vaccine seem, like a great set up that was not followed through with a great ending. Yes, both Iron Man and Mandarin have a remarkable fight to the finish that could go down in history. Yes, Iron Man shows bravery by cutting his own heel in order to find an antidote to save the world from the virus. Yes, the entire UN takeover was a brilliant political move. Yet all these are not enough to end this story in a high note. It felt rushed and it did not provide a grandiose ending to a potential grandiose premise. This story will not become a classic, because its ending did not live up to expectations.

I have finally figured out who de la Torre’s work reminded me off in this issue. With his rendering of the Silver Centurion Iron Man armour, which is more muscular and less mecha-like, posing abilities and excellent anatomic renderings of de la Torre seem inspired by Neal Adams. Just look at how his characters twist and turn as if their bodies were tortuous masses that really occupied the 3D space they depict. The inking may mask the more traditional comic book style of the artist, but a scene with good fashion super heroics doesn’t. I’m not complaining.

Rating: 7/10