International Iron Man #1
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International Iron Man #1

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Alex Maleev Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: March 16, 2016 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 20
6.7Critic Rating
6.9User Rating

Who is Tony Stark, really? Since learning that he was adopted as a baby, this question has cast a shadow over Stark's life. Now, it is time to uncover what his legacy truly is, a journey that will carry Tony into new directions as a man and as a super hero. Alongside his strange new quasi-ally Doctor Doom, Iron Man will discover new things about the Marvel Universe he didn't know existed before! A character deconstruction from Bendis and Maleev along the lines of their award-winning DAREDEVIL run!
Rated T+

  • 9.0
    Comic Spectrum - Bob Bretall Mar 28, 2016

    Bendis and Maleev are kicking off what could be a very key run documenting Tony Stark's status quo after the fairly recent storyline where it was revealed that Howard and Maria Stark are not his birth parents. If you like the development of character and backstory more than wall-to-wall battles, this could be the book for you. At a minimum, if you have been a fan of any of Bendis & Maleev's other collaborations, I'm guessing you'll be on board for this one too. I am. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicWow!TV - Bhavna Bakshi Mar 18, 2016

    I was really surprised by how much I liked this issue. There isn’t too much happening just yet, but we know that a lot is on its way—the exposition assures us that. If you’re into Iron Man at all, you can’t pass this series up. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Mar 21, 2016

    The series has Tony's "voice" down pat - and the issue manages to evoke an origin-like feel without actually recapping Iron Man's origin. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    We The Nerdy - Josh McCullough Mar 17, 2016

    Overall,International Iron Man more than justifies it's existence in this issue, and in fact, I'd say it's much better than Incivible Iron Man and that this should be the one fans are picking up. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Mar 16, 2016

    International Iron Man is shaping up to be a very different book from its sister series, which is mostly a good thing. It would have been nice to see a little more of Tony's present-day struggles in this first issue, not to mention an appearance from Doom, but the extended flashback illuminates a lesser-known period in the characters life and establishes a solid bond with the latest woman in his life. Fans of Bendis and Maleev's previous collaborations likely won't be disappointed. Read Full Review

  • 8.1
    Multiversity Comics - James Johnston Mar 18, 2016

    So is “International Iron Man” good, with it's “realism” and what not? Maybe. I know that's a lame answer to give but “International Iron Man” #1 promises a lot of great things and establishes a solid mood, it's just a question of how slow future issues were going to be with it. That might be unfair, but it's Bendis we're dealing with here. While the dialogue isn't all over the place like it's been in some of his previous work, there is the possibility that future stories will get distracted by Cute Teen Tony. And the flashforward/flashback structure the book's in (where the flashback in 90%) of the story feels like the type of thing Bendis is going to use to all of his decompressed ability. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Mar 16, 2016

    It's interesting how some characters can naturally have multiple comic titles while others almost feel questionable. At first I wondered if Iron Man needed another title. Brian Michael Bendis makes a convincing argument that he does. This book feels completely different from Invincible Iron Man. Joined once again by Alex Maleev, you'll be intrigued by this look at Tony Stark and events from his past. There is now a mystery over the identity of his birth parents. Once you start reading, you'll definitely want to know more. It might not be clear where this book will fully take us, but we're off to a good start. You will want to find out more. This isn't the Iron Man book you might have expected, and that's a great thing. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - Patrick Healy Mar 19, 2016

    Again, this issue is almost entirely backstory so there's not a lot of room to review plot or even conflict, but given the quality of what's on the pages and the reputation of the creative team, this book is perfectly executed and is highly recommended. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Nerds Unchained - Jeremy Radick Mar 17, 2016

    Those looking for high-class hijinks of Tony and Victor in a James Bond kind of vibe won't find that here, but what they will get is an intriguing first issue that sets up a lot for the arc moving forward and reveals an aspect of the main character that has been surprisingly neglected in his history. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    AIPT - Tyler Sewell Mar 17, 2016

    I haven't kept up with current Iron Man series or events as well as I should have lately, but this series doesn't appear to be dependent on any prior reading so it's a great jumping on point. Bendis and Maleev are collaborating once again and they produced a solid first issue to kick off the series, but I have a feeling it's going to be an uphill battle trying to prove the necessity for an additional Iron Man story. So far I like what I'm seeing though. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Kabooooom - Brandon Griffin Mar 17, 2016

    Overall, this is a wonderful Iron Man tale, a very interesting and exciting beginning to another chapter in Stark's history. Bendis takes a big ambitious stab at altering the image and makeup of Iron Man, and I for one cannot wait to see how it unfolds. Read Full Review

  • 6.6
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Heather Hurt Mar 21, 2016

    International Iron Man takes us back to a vulnerable moment in Tony Stark's life. He was affectionate, determined. Then his life changed. Now he must look to the past in hopes of locating his birth parents.Yet another title from Marvel's heavy hitter, Brian Michael Bendis, International Iron Man #1 is worth a pick-up, but not essential reading. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Book Resources - Greg McElhatton Mar 17, 2016

    "International Iron Man" #1 also has the slight problem of positioning its debut around Tony Stark's search for his real parents, but -- at the moment -- it doesn't feel like strong enough of a premise to build a series on it. Again, maybe future issues will make this series feel more robust, but it's just not coming together as something particularly gripping. For the moment, "International Iron Man" has a beautiful first issue thanks to Maleev and Mounts, but Bendis' script isn't on the same level just yet. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comicsverse - Corey Spanner Mar 17, 2016

    The future of this comic is something that many fans will be eager to see. The groundworkhas been set for what could be a cool new twist on Tony's mythology, even if it feels a little unneeded at times. Until then, Bendis, Maleev, and company need to offer a little more to serve such an exciting character justice. Read Full Review

  • 5.5
    GWW - Agasicles Stamas Mar 20, 2016

    I'll be sure to ask someone how this series is shaking out in a few months, but I do not see this being on my personal pull anytime soon. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson Mar 21, 2016

    A little too much talky-talky and far too much like a Daredevil story for my tastes. Not effective as a first issue... Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    PopMatters - Jack Fisher Mar 17, 2016

    More than anything else, International Iron Man #1 is a trailer for a much larger story involving Tony's heritage. While some trailers end up being better than the movies they tease, this one offers more promise than most. It's like the difference between the Deadpool trailer and the trailer for the last Fantastic Four movie: one promises great entertainment value, one promises to ignite outrage on message boards. International Iron Man is still building up its entertainment value, but it shouldn't ignite any message boards just yet. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge Mar 17, 2016

    International Iron Man #1 may look great, but I need just a little more to go on before I can fully endorse its narrative going forward. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    All-Comic - Erik Gonzalez Mar 18, 2016

    This dbut issue was a disappointment; it fails to captivate and to have the readership coming back for next months release. Yes, its to be expected that exposition will be a big component early on in a series, but its still possible to make those beats enthralling. Having Tony Stark try to court a young woman could be interesting, but this issue comes off as just one note. Considering the minds behind this title, it does deserve a second chance with a couple more issues. The cover may be beautiful and alluring, but beware that all is not as it seems. Remember the old adage: Never judge a book by its cover. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Mar 16, 2016

    But when it comes to down to the hard math of comic book storytelling, you wind up realizing that creators like Maleev are known quantities - their style is consistent and expected, and when you know the artist isn't green enough to be making unforced errors, you recognize that their talent is a given. They're going to produce quality artwork, even if the story underneath isn't quality at all. But the formula for iconic work is simple: a great script plus great artwork equals a fantastic issue. But when the script is as inconsistent, underdeveloped and just plain out-of-left-field as Invincible Iron Man #1, it's going to be very difficult for all but the most diehard Bendis super-fans to justify sticking around. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    CourtOfNerds - Benjamin Raven Mar 30, 2016

    From the printing to the writing to the pace to the art, this book was an extreme letdown. Read Full Review

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