(Oct., 2001) "The Big Bang Theory
Conclusion!" Cover art:
Keron Grant. Script:
Frank Tieri. Art: Keron Grant/Stull & Perrotta.
It's
Iron Man vs. The
Ghost and MODOK!
Ghost reveals that
his and A.I.M.'s
"merger" provided the rogue technology group with the means to
sabotage their competition, while allowing Ghost "a
larger platform" for his goal of corporate destruction. The first half of
the ish provides great battle scenes, showcasing much of the new IM
armor's capabilities. Grant's art is decent,
provided he sticks to superheroes/villains, rather than regular folk. We see the
armor's "contingency program" -- Jocasta
can take control of the armor when Stark is incapacitated (but again, wasn't
this a major concern regarding the armor's sentience??). Tieri weaves recent
plotlines together rather well: Trevor Donahue has donated his fortune
to Stark, believing that Tony's actions of relinquishing his co., etc., were
the result of a subliminal suggestion planted by Ty
Stone's "DreamVision!" Stark thus uses
the new cash flow to save Askew from bankruptcy, and to in effect turn Donahue's
co. into the new STARK ENTERPRISES!!
In the waning pages, Stark pontificates about his role as inventor, even
questioning if Stark Solutions
was a good idea for one of his talent (as many an Iron Fan did!). The last panel
sets up even more intrigue: Stark wants "all there is to know" about Stark/Fujikawa....he
thinks "it's high time I got my old company back!" YES!!
These last few pages are really what earns this ish
repulsors!! (By Hube)
Fan Reaction:
I think Frank Tieri made great strides in this issue in conveying accurately the
character of Tony Stark. Tony realizes he’s in serious trouble if he has to
take on both MODOK and the Ghost at the same time. (Has I.M. ever actually
defeated the Ghost before? I don’t believe so. -- Hube notes:
Yes, he did, back in IM #221.) So
what does he use? Brain Power. One of the most powerful characters in the
Marvel Universe uses his greatest tool, his intellect. A little brain
blast from MODOK into the Ghost, stuffing the Ghost’s hand into MODOK's
forehead and all the sudden things aren’t looking so bad after all!
That’s what inventor extraordinare Tony Stark and Iron Man are all about.
I think Frank hit it big time in this issue. Well done! And we’re finally
admitting that the whole Stark Solutions company was way out of line. Excellent.
Did we just all the sudden forget the whole purpose of the “Armor Wars”? To
keep Stark technology OUT of the hands of others. Now he’s consulting and
selling his services to the highest bidder? Granted, he’s smart enough to not
divulge any secrets but, hello? He’s an inventor, a leader of a huge
conglomerate who’s now taking on a subservient role? Wrong. If it was
Frank’s intention of addressing that here, I think he’s succeeded again.
Plus, Stark Enterprises is back! And Tony once again has the challenge of
converting a munitions producing company to another technology based industry
leader. And he’s going after reclaiming the biggest prize of all…
Stark Industries/International/Enterprises in the form of Stark-Fujikawa? Wow! I
love Keron Grant‘s art work. The detail and selective artistic licenses
he occasionally takes are what comic books are all about. If he sticks around,
do I dare compare him someday to Bob Layton? With great art, new armor and a new
company things are looking good. Could we just stay in New York? I’d like some
Spiderman/Daredevil/Punisher crossovers please! --
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Fan Reaction 2:
I'm
a French fan of Iron Man and I've known this extraordinary character for more
than 25 years. I just read Iron Man #45 and I think it contains the
worst art I've ever seen. I can't understand why Marvel let a penciller like
Keron Grant draw this series. His art doesn't suit a character like IM.
It's really awful.The new armor is ugly and bulky like the traitor's one, or the
Silver Centurion armor. Why doesn't Marvel give the series back to someone like
Bob Layton or even Sean Chen, who both did a remarkable job? --
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