While we usually let more 'news'-oriented sites handle this type of thing, we can't help but be excited to hear word of Matt Fraction's new assignment once The Order concludes with its tenth issue. Marvel has announced this morning that The Invincible Iron Man will debut in May with Fraction writing and Salvador Larroca handling pencil duties. It will be the second current on-going to follow the adventures of Tony Stark, joining the Knauf-written Iron Man: Director of SHIELD.
Any new title with Fraction's name on it is worth checking out, but an on-going with a character known for his tendencies in espionage, gadgetry and sexual debauchery is a sure don't miss. Anyone reading Casanova could easily tell you as much. Fraction says of writing Stark, "[he's] equal parts James Bond and Chuck Yeager--a pioneer, a test pilot, an engineer, an adrenaline junkie visionary. Iron Man is the ultimate achievement in what we, as humans, can become. He's not the product of cosmic rays or a radioactive spider. He is the triumph of human ingenuity over the frailty of the human form."
Many this morning have been quick to question if Iron Man can support two on-going titles, and whether Fraction is yet a name that can sell a book in a market already saturated with the character. These people clearly haven't read enough of his work. If the guy can make Iron Fist and The Order have ravenous cult followings, it's easy to expect he'll do far more with a marquee character who recently debuted in their first Hollywood film. This may just be the book that finally launches Fraction into super-stardom and gives him the sales numbers he deserves.
Joining Fraction is Salvador Larroca, who's first issue of Amazing Spider-Man just hit stands last week and looked great. His stylish realism is well-suited for Iron Man's particular brand of adventure and will bring a great flavor and atmosphere to Fraction's intelligent sci-fi indulgences. Check out the preview pages for more effective convincing.
Ignore any messages suggesting this series be passed over. Forget that there's already a monthly book following Tony Stark. Who cares that it's a cash-in on the launch of the film. With this creative team at the helm such points are trivial. Invincible Iron Man more than deserves a spot on your pull-list and will almost certainly surprise a few people. Find out what you've been missing in all these Fraction titles you've skipped under whatever guise of justification.
Previews and #1 Solicit at Marvel.com: Link
Discuss at Newsarama: Link
Monday, February 11, 2008
Fraction's Next Title Revealed
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4 comments:
This is like, the best creative team news I've heard in a long time. This is going to rock.
This can be hilarious awesome fun silly old school adventures and the Knauff book can be the thriller spy book. That's fine, and really good. Fraction is one of my sure favorites writers definitely.
I like PWJ too but I wish they'd give him another different book instead, like they did with The Order. I even liked the Order more than PWJ, so I'd like to see it switched out and him writing something else. Relaunch something like him and Brubaker did on Iron Fist.
Fraction is going to be a legend by the time his career is over.
PWJ will probably be his next to go, though not until another several arcs from now and this Iron Man book gets underway. Plus Marvel has to transition through Ennis leaving the Punisher MAX title.
Once Fraction is off War Journal though, they'll probably try to get him on something higher profile. The man has some SERIOUS Spidey stories in him, and someday we'll be blessed with those, but right now I think that Braintrust is pretty locked down. He's their next Brubaker/Bendis though, and they seem to know it, so count on him being put on one of the bigger properties.
I also harbor suspicion that this is meant to be the Iron Man book of the future and the Knauf book will be ended sometime in the next few months. The general word on the street has Secret Invasion bringing Nick Fury back into the fray and really shaking up SHIELD. With what's happening in Iron Man: Director of SHIELD, it's easy to see Secret Invasion ending with someone else holding the 'director' title. The fact that Fraction's book is being given the classic 'Invincible' title only goes to support that coming out of Secret Invasion Tony Stark will no longer be SHIELD's director and the Knauf book will no longer be around.
As long as he doesn't end up a regular writer on Thor - I'm happy. I'll read his upcoming Thor specials and get some campy enjoyment out of them but I will be disappointed if I have to start reading that character regularly.
I wish Immmonen didn't have to leave Nextwave.
And why are they acting like Tony's not being redeemed in his own book and cap?
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