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yelosonThis was the story arc that really got me into Iron Man. Though the Iron Man series, throughout the years has jumped around a lot in quality (god, what Marvel title hasn't) this particular story run was really damn good.
The basic story is that Iron Man discovers that his tech has been stolen, copied, and sold throughout the world by both criminals and governments... all without his knowledge. In one of those surprisingly rare for superheroes moments, he actually reflects on his responsibility- the tech he created has caused untold death and suffering- and he decides he's going to destroy every last piece of tech and data that has his tech on it- around the world.
To Tony Stark's credit, he does try the legal means first - sending his high paid lawyers out to see if they can shut folks down legally. Which, naturally, doesn't work. Part of what makes this story arc really great is that it ends up being this critique of the whole system - that Stark was totally supporting, helping, and despite his power as a high end capitalist- no one is powerful enough to turn the system away from it's goals, and he's ostracized, legally pursued, and, his Iron Man persona is pursued by the govt. as well.
Of course, there's awesome fights and slick tactics. But along the way there's always nagging questions, nothing is ever clean or simple. There's issues where the villains and people he rescued are suing him (ala The Incredibles). Tony ends up attacking Stingray... who it turns out doesn't have stolen tech. Some civilian ends up CRUSHED on his armor during a fight with a villain. He ends up sucker punching Captain America to achieve his goals, and accidentally letting free some supervillains. Finally, he ends up killing a villain on accident.
At first people around him are...willing to deal. The Avengers are like, "Ok, we'll trust you." but after he starts going after the government agents, they boot him, even knowing the full story of what he's doing and why.
In a lot of ways, this arc really captures a solid aspect of what makes a good Iron Man story - he's this guy perpetually running away from his problems. Tony's unwilling to take help where it's offered, at the same time, completely privileged and burning his relationships taking for granted all the folks who have to clean up after him.
He wants to do the right thing, and finds himself trapped in the social system he's basically helped construct the whole way. Most of the other folks with serious power only care about their agendas and drop him the second he starts trying to actually do right.
Overall, I'd say if you read any Iron Man, this would be the collected to pick up.
The basic story is that Iron Man discovers that his tech has been stolen, copied, and sold throughout the world by both criminals and governments... all without his knowledge. In one of those surprisingly rare for superheroes moments, he actually reflects on his responsibility- the tech he created has caused untold death and suffering- and he decides he's going to destroy every last piece of tech and data that has his tech on it- around the world.
To Tony Stark's credit, he does try the legal means first - sending his high paid lawyers out to see if they can shut folks down legally. Which, naturally, doesn't work. Part of what makes this story arc really great is that it ends up being this critique of the whole system - that Stark was totally supporting, helping, and despite his power as a high end capitalist- no one is powerful enough to turn the system away from it's goals, and he's ostracized, legally pursued, and, his Iron Man persona is pursued by the govt. as well.
Of course, there's awesome fights and slick tactics. But along the way there's always nagging questions, nothing is ever clean or simple. There's issues where the villains and people he rescued are suing him (ala The Incredibles). Tony ends up attacking Stingray... who it turns out doesn't have stolen tech. Some civilian ends up CRUSHED on his armor during a fight with a villain. He ends up sucker punching Captain America to achieve his goals, and accidentally letting free some supervillains. Finally, he ends up killing a villain on accident.
At first people around him are...willing to deal. The Avengers are like, "Ok, we'll trust you." but after he starts going after the government agents, they boot him, even knowing the full story of what he's doing and why.
In a lot of ways, this arc really captures a solid aspect of what makes a good Iron Man story - he's this guy perpetually running away from his problems. Tony's unwilling to take help where it's offered, at the same time, completely privileged and burning his relationships taking for granted all the folks who have to clean up after him.
He wants to do the right thing, and finds himself trapped in the social system he's basically helped construct the whole way. Most of the other folks with serious power only care about their agendas and drop him the second he starts trying to actually do right.
Overall, I'd say if you read any Iron Man, this would be the collected to pick up.
