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About This Series
Issues
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About This
Series:
Issues:
This short-lived
attempt at an Iron Man series lasted only 13 issues. In fact, it
was created in response to Marvel's great experiment, the Heroes Reborn
"pocket" universe. In late 1996, almost all of the Marvel
characters were messed with in something that proved largely a
failure. This series, however, was a noble attempt at recreating
Iron Man's saga. I think the only thing they did wrong was try to
cram too much into the story of Iron Man. For instance, the first
issue was not only a new origin for Iron Man, but for the Hulk as
well. As a matter of fact, Iron Man's origin took a back seat to
that of the Hulk. The story of how Iron Man came to be was rather
thin in comparison.
Unlike most of the characters being restarted at that time, this series boasted great artwork.
Unlike most of the characters being restarted at that time, this series boasted great artwork.
Issues:
#1: November, 1996.
Although meant to be a new origin story for Iron Man, it turned out to
be more of a new origin for the Hulk. I thought it strange Hulk
was not reintroduced in his own title. Why would two origins be
put in the same story in the same issue of "Iron Man"?
This issue marks the debut of the Prometheum Armor for Iron Man. It also presents the first "Counter-Earth" (alternate reality) version of Tony Stark.
This first issue throws as much at us as possible. We're introduced to the characters of Liz Ross (not known as Betty here), Bruce Banner (later the Hulk), Dr. Leonard Samson (Stark's psychiatrist), attorney Jennifer Walters (not yet She-Hulk), Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, and enemy terrorist group Hydra.
It's amazing that most of the characters in the cast come from Hulk comics, rather than Iron Man comics. Liz Ross, Bruce Banner, Samson, Jennifer Walters...all are part of the Hulk's previous saga. Samson, you might remember, became a superhero in Hulk comics using his own name. Hydra was, more or less, an antagonist for Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. comics.
I wonder why more of Iron Man's own characters weren't used. Why not pit him against the Crimson Dynamo, or Iron Monger, or Titanium Man, or any of his own great cast of villains? That's neither here or there; this still turned out to be a good issue. Scott Lobdell and Jim Lee wrote the story, and Whilce Portacio did the art.
Oh, yes, and the Hulk now has long hair!
This issue marks the debut of the Prometheum Armor for Iron Man. It also presents the first "Counter-Earth" (alternate reality) version of Tony Stark.
This first issue throws as much at us as possible. We're introduced to the characters of Liz Ross (not known as Betty here), Bruce Banner (later the Hulk), Dr. Leonard Samson (Stark's psychiatrist), attorney Jennifer Walters (not yet She-Hulk), Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, and enemy terrorist group Hydra.
It's amazing that most of the characters in the cast come from Hulk comics, rather than Iron Man comics. Liz Ross, Bruce Banner, Samson, Jennifer Walters...all are part of the Hulk's previous saga. Samson, you might remember, became a superhero in Hulk comics using his own name. Hydra was, more or less, an antagonist for Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. comics.
I wonder why more of Iron Man's own characters weren't used. Why not pit him against the Crimson Dynamo, or Iron Monger, or Titanium Man, or any of his own great cast of villains? That's neither here or there; this still turned out to be a good issue. Scott Lobdell and Jim Lee wrote the story, and Whilce Portacio did the art.
Oh, yes, and the Hulk now has long hair!