Iron Man #24
Writer: Daniel and Charles KnaufArtist: Butch Guice
After a few issues of wondering what the Mandarin was up to, it's now finally clear, and I am so looking forward to Iron Man, more than I ever was before. The Knaufs have had Mandarin working on the Extremis virus, posing as a businessman, and with this issue we learn that he plans on releasing it into the world, with with a 97% fatality rate, that would be one badass Iron Man story, which is what Iron Man needs. I like that we're not getting six issue arcs but shorter stories that lead to a longer arc. It shows that the Knaufs plan to be on the book and that there is a longer plan. This book is not like the Flash where a writer comes on, says he's in it for awhile, and then takes off after his first arc. I really feel like this is where Iron Man gets to be himself, away from the rest of the Mavel U, aside from his appearances in Captain America recently. The Knaufs have a handle on Tony and that's what keeps me coming back to this book month after month. Let's hope that this Mandarin stuff ratchets up within the next issue or two, now that Tony has realized what's going on. Butch Guice does the art here, and does a really good job. He's using a similar style to Roberto de la Torre, who the previous penciller on the book, so there is no jarring change between styles, unlike Ramos to Bianchi to Chaykin over on Wolverine, which has no overall direction anymore. More people need to be reading the Knauf's Iron Man book because aside of Blue Beetle, Captain America, and Booster Gold, it's one of the solid books month in and month out. B+
