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The audience will never get tired of stories about heroes… Truer words have never been said!
Once again I am nearly at a loss for words when attempting to review this series. I AM Iron Man #3 is beautiful, hopeful, nostalgic, and heartbreaking all at once.
This review contains spoilers for I AM Iron Man #3.
Story:
The story, while seemingly confusing at first, is elegant and actually quite simple. Iron Man and War Machine need to save a little boy’s mother. We are dropped into this issue in the middle of the story, Iron Man seems to be in feudal Japan, sporting one of the most incredibly beautiful armors ever put on the page. While dual wielding red flaming energy swords, he cuts down what looks like goblins and is directed by someone we cannot see. Iron Man then meets up with War Machine, also in period armor, and we get a few more clues that this is scenario is not reality.
Trough some well placed flashbacks, the story becomes clear. Mojo has kidnapped a woman and her son has asked Iron Man and War Machine to help get her back. Tony and Rhodey have to play the parts that Mojo has set for them in order to free the boy’s mother and get all of them out of Mojoworld!
Of course, this would not be an issue of I AM Iron Man if the wonderful creative duo didn’t reduce me to tears… and with the last few pages we are reminded of just how important Maria Stark was to Tony. Mother’s Day is a rough day for Tony Stark. The quick progression of mother and son sharing in good times is brought to a crashing halt with a gut punch of a panel that made me drop the comic and exclaim “OH COME ON GUYS!”
Writing:
Murewa Ayodele continues to impress. Each issue of this series has been better than the last. The layout of this story, starting in the middle and allowing the reader to sit with the confusion for just the right amount of time was perfect. I never felt annoyed or lost, just curious to see how our protagonists got into the situation they were in and who was pulling the strings. By the end of this issue, every question I had was answered with no loose threads hanging.
Artwork:
Dotun Akande has become my favorite Iron Man artist, without question. This was the most beautiful and enchanting Iron Man comic that I have ever read. The colors, designs, and movement on each panel was everything one could ask for. On top of the the overall artwork, the layout of these books have been impeccable. I’m also impressed with the fact that, without a caption and without any dialogue, I know what era of Iron Man these stories take place in by the design of the Iron Man armor. Truly epic attention to detail with this artwork.
Conclusion:
This creative team has yet to disappoint. I cannot see them missing a step any time soon. Marvel, please give this duo an ongoing Iron Family series. They know what they are doing and I want more! Please, if you have not been reading this series, remedy that mistake immediately. This is peak Iron Man being told by two people at the top of their game.
