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unladylike's review
2.0
I *really* want to give this book more stars. I love the character Riri Williams aka Ironheart, and several other key characters in this series. Maybe it's because I read it right after finishing [b:Flintstones Vol. 2: Bedrock Bedlam|34670149|Flintstones Vol. 2 Bedrock Bedlam|Mark Russell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511815859s/34670149.jpg|55839519], which packs SO MUCH into every page of its 12-issue run. Whereas in this second volume of Invincible Iron Man: Ironheart, hardly anything happens. It really doesn't progress any character arc much more than a few steps beyond where we left off by the end of the first trade volume. And worse, Bendis is back on his bullshit again, confusing characters' individual traits in an infuriating manner. Here's an example: In one issue, we see a scene comprised almost entirely of Riri being confounded that her best friend has never seen [the Disney movie] The Little Mermaid. And we are told that despite her workaholic nature, she simultaneously consumes a lot of media, both of the pop culture variety and mainstream news. She references Tron in another issue despite the original movie having far predated her (although Tron is only 7 years older than The Little Mermaid, making Little Mermaid still 12ish years older than Riri). But then later, the goddamn A.I. of Tony Stark's consciousness pesters Riri mid-battle for not having seen Freaks and Geeks. In this pointless and incessant scene, A.I. Tony actually abbreviates the show (which is much closer to Riri in age and possibly more likely to have been on her radar) to "Freaks" in a way that nobody does except an old man trying to sound young.
These are just little details that have been adding up to become quite the annoying tendency in Brian Michael Bendis-written stories. He's designing and setting up this fantastic character, but when he leaves, it won't be as clear as it ought to be what sort of person she is. Future writers might draw from one page or another and characterize her in completely different ways, which, sure, happens a lot in comics when dealing with characters who've been around for several decades. But this is a fresh and relevant face who deserves her own nuances and distinct trajectory, even if part of the enjoyment is not knowing what path she will take in the future.
In another scene, Riri asks what A.I. Tony thinks about before "giving [her] the business" every morning. I don't think I have ever heard anyone utter this phrase since the '80s or '90s.
When I was told Bendis was departing Marvel completely in favor of a more exclusive contract with DC, I was worried about characters like Jessica Jones, who would not exist or being in prominence (and thereby "safe" from being cut in the next Big Reboot Event). But as I read a stack of books penned by him, I'm increasingly fine with saying goodbye to his stale style of dialogue. He just inserts his own voice into the mouths of whoever happens to be on the page. Characters both new and old don't maintain what makes them stand out, if it serves the purpose of getting out some dry bit of chit-chat that Bendis imagines is hilarious.
Lastly, I'm just going to go ahead and preemptively express concern for the near future of Riri Williams. I don't really care about the sub-plot the advanced A.I.s possibly plotting against humanity - the Ultron route seems rather inevitable in this narrative, and will likely involve Tony Stark recovering from his coma just in time to fight his disembodied techno-form (or maybe this has all already happened; remember, I only read this stuff once it gets to the public libraries in trade form). But Riri is 15 at the start of her superhero career. She's not as young as Moon Girl, but her book is targeted to a more mature audience. I *love* that her home-made armor has a pretty flat chest and minimal butt contour lines, because look at the precedent in this medium. I shouldn't have to say or think about this, but I'm wondering how long it'll be before the artists change her costume to the typical full-blown boob-and-butt-centered style that panders to pedophiles and misogynists. Will it be on her 18th birthday or sooner? Kamala Kahn and Lunella LaFayette have so far been handled respectfully, but I vaguely recall one of the young Runaways characters years ago getting a rather tasteless and overly-sexualized redesign as an adolescent. While writing this I did a quick Google search and found this great little piece addressing these concerns, verifying that some variant cover art has already been sexifying this 15-year-old black girl.
These are just little details that have been adding up to become quite the annoying tendency in Brian Michael Bendis-written stories. He's designing and setting up this fantastic character, but when he leaves, it won't be as clear as it ought to be what sort of person she is. Future writers might draw from one page or another and characterize her in completely different ways, which, sure, happens a lot in comics when dealing with characters who've been around for several decades. But this is a fresh and relevant face who deserves her own nuances and distinct trajectory, even if part of the enjoyment is not knowing what path she will take in the future.
In another scene, Riri asks what A.I. Tony thinks about before "giving [her] the business" every morning. I don't think I have ever heard anyone utter this phrase since the '80s or '90s.
When I was told Bendis was departing Marvel completely in favor of a more exclusive contract with DC, I was worried about characters like Jessica Jones, who would not exist or being in prominence (and thereby "safe" from being cut in the next Big Reboot Event). But as I read a stack of books penned by him, I'm increasingly fine with saying goodbye to his stale style of dialogue. He just inserts his own voice into the mouths of whoever happens to be on the page. Characters both new and old don't maintain what makes them stand out, if it serves the purpose of getting out some dry bit of chit-chat that Bendis imagines is hilarious.
Lastly, I'm just going to go ahead and preemptively express concern for the near future of Riri Williams. I don't really care about the sub-plot the advanced A.I.s possibly plotting against humanity - the Ultron route seems rather inevitable in this narrative, and will likely involve Tony Stark recovering from his coma just in time to fight his disembodied techno-form (or maybe this has all already happened; remember, I only read this stuff once it gets to the public libraries in trade form). But Riri is 15 at the start of her superhero career. She's not as young as Moon Girl, but her book is targeted to a more mature audience. I *love* that her home-made armor has a pretty flat chest and minimal butt contour lines, because look at the precedent in this medium. I shouldn't have to say or think about this, but I'm wondering how long it'll be before the artists change her costume to the typical full-blown boob-and-butt-centered style that panders to pedophiles and misogynists. Will it be on her 18th birthday or sooner? Kamala Kahn and Lunella LaFayette have so far been handled respectfully, but I vaguely recall one of the young Runaways characters years ago getting a rather tasteless and overly-sexualized redesign as an adolescent. While writing this I did a quick Google search and found this great little piece addressing these concerns, verifying that some variant cover art has already been sexifying this 15-year-old black girl.
jrobles76's review
5.0
I love Brian Michael Bendis and the new Ironheart. Such a great character. The Tony Stark AI is great, the writing is so good you can hear RDJ's voice come off the page. The artists are great! Look forward to the next volume.
writethruchaos's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ektambo's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
renatasnacks's review
3.0
This is a lot of fun! I love Riri's interactions with AI Tony so much, and this was a fun look at the world of (titular) Choices opening up to her. I am seeing reviews deriding her reign as Queen of Latveria as being farfetched but fuck you it's comics and I loved it. Hail Queen Riri!!!! Give me a full arc of that shit!!!
inhonoredglory's review
4.0
As always, loving the personality and expression of Riri in this issue. I ate up the dynamism and life in the artwork. One thing I have to note in this is Bendis' letter column on the final issue, how he dedicated a certain trait of Tony's to a friend of his who was a real hero, Richard Cheek. That really hit me in the heart, and added to my love for Tony and how he hides the things that can redeem him, and wallows in the negatives that he feels define him.
bookalchemist's review
2.0
I think by now we're all aware of how uncomfortable it is that Bendis has written so many stories of POC. In this case, I feel aside from using a driveby as a plot device, he does okay?
My primary issue is with the art direction. 13 yo girls with big spidery lashes? All women between the ages 15-45 have the same lip shape (very very full)? Posing Riri on covers in suggestive ways, despite her suit not being overtly feminine and the fact that she's a 15 year old? I have a lot of issues with that.
The story, aside from that, is interesting. I like Riri. I'll keep reading for her.
My primary issue is with the art direction. 13 yo girls with big spidery lashes? All women between the ages 15-45 have the same lip shape (very very full)? Posing Riri on covers in suggestive ways, despite her suit not being overtly feminine and the fact that she's a 15 year old? I have a lot of issues with that.
The story, aside from that, is interesting. I like Riri. I'll keep reading for her.