209. Iron Man vol 1 #216 ... Marvel ...

It's not that we are trying to do back-to-back reviews of the same title ... it's just that from last month's killer conclusion ... well, we just have to follow up with this review because it hits home on so many critical points that make a comic good reading. So let's do this review in the form of a check list okay?

1. Artwork - crisp clear lines, metallic bits are shiny, fiery bits are fiery and facial expressions are perfect without a doubt!

2. Colours - eye popping bright!

3. Action - tons from re-entry from space right through obligatory fight scenes

4. Suspense moments - SPOILER ALERT - this is only relevant for those who didn't read the last review because at the end of the last issue, we see both Tony and Rhodey crashing back through Earth's atmosphere with Rhodey burning up as his armour was damaged! Now instead of giving us a cheap short cut out, we see the whole deal here. We see Rhodey literally getting burnt, we see Tony trying to help him out and panicking ... we see actual injury requiring hospitalization ...

5. Twist in the storyline - SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT -  this is a big one ... at least it was for me. I didn't see this coming. You see, when this original run came out, I collected it sporadically and I was there when Tony rebuild the company before the 200 issue clash with Obadiah and I remembered the scene of pain as one of his mates bit the dust. There was so much pain and sorrow and anger ... and then this? His other remaining partner, someone he grew this and that business with, someone who went through all that with him ... and he and us didn't see it coming. O what a betrayal! What a stunner! What a blow!

Who are we talking about?

Read the book

Ratings: 8/10