Tony Stark Iron Man #3
Nicolas Duncan
Recap
From the junction of yesteryear’s memories to the forefront of imagination, Tony Stark always soars on the cutting edge of adventure and technology. He explains that Iron Man is an idea, always changing, always evolving…an idea without limit! Responsibility as Iron Man continues to encourage others to be STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) leaders and innovators. Yes, Tony is cocky and inspirational at the same time, but those are two qualities many have fallen in love with…now, with a new direction!
Tony Stark Iron Man #1, Dan Slott took the driver seat by bringing a fresh look on each individual of supporting characters with a biotechnological story that surrounds them. Implementation of a plot at the beginning of this issue provides many possibilities for this story arc. Slott’s writing shows how Tony excelled in technology and how that early success impacts his future.
Last issue, Slott successfully connects the reader with real deep insight into the complex fabric of the Stark United family. Recently back from the dead, Rhodey, (liaison to the armed forces) has been experiencing some serious self-doubts. With his “tough-guy” background, he hides the insecurities and seems to find it difficult to opening up about his conflictions of the traumatic experience from Thanos. Meanwhile, Jocasta (Chief Robotic Ethicist) attempts to use holograms to fit in with the humans in the office, but her boyfriend, Aaron Stack (Machine Man), is ignorantly against the idea. He bullies through accusing that she turned her back on robots. The macroaggressions or what I refer to as “diet racism” exposed by Aaron was to the point and Slott articulates well and cautiously to reality.
Review
Stark Unlimited employees along with their friends and family have been invited to test drive the new virtual reality system; Project eScape. An employee (yet unknown to the reader) receives an incredibly cool looking VR headset in the shape of the Iron Man mask. Once she puts it on, immediately, a greeting from virtual Tony appears and continues a most intriguing offer of participating in a beta test “contest” of a platform where you get to explore this virtual universe as Iron Man!
Meanwhile, Jocosta’s boyfriend Aaron Stack, former villain Machine Man, who considers this as a manipulation of “Robo-Culture” for the sheer entertainment of fleshbags. He is presented with the opportunity to affect the beta test by accessing it without permission and have the ability to shut down the simulation. Machine Man’s obsessive plan affects everyone, especially Tony. Fortunately, a player, still unknown, figures out how to defeat Machine Man, save the system and Tony, while winning the contest. This revelation by the last beta tester will have consequences!
As Slott possess the ability to be cautious with subject materials, such as; discrimination, he continues to keep the fun persona of Tony and Stark Unlimited crew. There’s insecurity about Tony in this series and is rather refreshing to connect. Slott reveals clues that make the story more interesting as both Tony and James Rhodes resurrection experiences and the consequences of those acts.
Valerio Schiti and his team continue to provide top quality artwork. It enhanced the reader’s feeling of being the actual beta test player. The action scenes were awesome in the chosen colors that added to the immersive element to the technical story.
Final Thoughts
Tony Stark Iron Man #3 is an awesome look into his new pet project while shifting the focus from himself over to Jocosta and her feelings to become more human. Dan Slott and his creative team are doing a great job with the characters and giving Tony’s secondary cast some great development. I am really looking forward to the next issue!
Tony Stark Iron Man #3: Project eScape to Equality
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10