Tony Stark’s long, strange trip barrels toward a grim conclusion in Iron Man #12. Written by Christopher Cantwell; Drawn by Angel Unzueta; Colored by Frank D’Armata; Lettered by Joe Caramagna
Oh, look! If it’s not the consequences for Tony Stark’s actions!
Finally we come to Taa II, ahead of Tony’s ad-hoc team of allies. Tony and Avro-X face down the living machine defenses of Galactus’ worldship, all in an attempt to secure it before Korvac and his minions can get there. But Tony seems…far more aloof than normal. “Incredibly high”, some even could say. Which isn’t exactly the place you wanna be when fighting Punisher Robots, Korvac, and his super-themed acolytes.
But therein lies the terribly entertaining but creaking dread of Iron Man #12. Writer Christopher Cantwell has certainly taken his time to get Tony here. But through that time, and throughout Tony’s singular obsession with taking down Korvac, Cantwell has put him through several wringers. His humbling at the hands of Korvac, his injury, and his relapse, just to name a few. But through it all, Tony kept pressing forward. Determined to take down Korvac for the good of all (read: himself and his ego). Even at the cost of his own body and potentially the lives of others.
Now in issue #12 Cantwell shows the cost of Tony’s determination. As well as the consequences for his neglect of his sobriety, physical self, and compatriots. It is a tough read for sure, but Cantwell does keep the whole thing oddly bright throughout. As Tony and Avro encounter deathtrap after deathtrap (some of which taking some real chunks from our heroes), Cantwell keeps Tony’s “stoner’s logic” ramblings genuinely funny and warm. He asks pointed questions about Canada and praises the country’s respect for wildlife, even as they barrel toward probable doom at every turn. It’s weirdly endearing while also keeping Tony (and us as readers) aware in text of how far strung out he’s becoming.
And this isn’t even subtext either. Cantwell allows Avro to explicitly ask, once again like he did last issue, if Tony is “okay” (ie: high). And Tony doesn’t even try to duck the answer. Admitting once again that he’s quite jacked on morphine and has been operating as such since last issue’s resolution. He DOES try to justify his behavior here however. Saying that he’s not giving himself too hard a time about it knowing that they might not leave Taa II alive. It’s a flimsy excuse for sure, but I get the feeling that it’s supposed to be. Tony has been making bad choices for a while now and he’s not going to stop now. Especially if that gets him closer to victory/absolution.
Iron Man #12 also displays a continued willingness to not let Tony off the hook for any of this either. Bone-crunchingly rendered by art team Angel Unzueta and Frank D’Armata, Tony finally does get his long-awaited rematch with Korvac. And while he gets a few good shots in, punchily staged by Unzueta and D’Armata, it almost costs him everything. Again. Once more, not exactly the place you want to see your lead hero in at the end of 12 issues, bloodied and near-dead on the edge of known space. But one I think the title by now has earned. And one that allows the guest art team to add a bit of viscerality to the ending beats of the first arc.
Iron Man from the start has been concerned about consequences. Consequences for the Conclave for bringing back Korvac. Consequences for Tony and his friends for getting caught up in this conflict in the first place. But Iron Man #12 turns those consequences toward being far more personal in nature. In turn, #12 finds a newly narrowing presentation for the Armored Avenger’s adventures.
Zachary Jenkins co-hosts the podcast Battle of the Atom and is the former editor-in-chief of ComicsXF. Shocking everyone, he has a full and vibrant life outside all this.
