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lillanaa's review
4.0
I've been a pretty big Iron Man fan for a while, and the concept of Ironheart is interesting. This was decently written, and the characters felt solid, but I have some minor complaints about the formatting with this edition. Something about it really didn't translate, and the cross-page spreads got very confusing from time to time, which is something I hope is better with the next volume. Ultimately, though, I enjoyed it! It was a fun departure.
lurieta's review
4.0
I love Riri's character and her evolution here. I think my main issue with a lot of the younger new Avenger stories is that the villains or antagonists are very random and lacking stakes.
pintofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
sabregirl's review
4.0
Good start could've been better but in the short time was able to build a nice backstory for RiRi just not a lot of storyline.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
4.0
Neither Tony Stark nor his alter ego, Iron Man, are my favorite Marvel characters. I enjoy them in ensemble books, like The Avengers titles, but rich playboy genius who designs suits and weapons? I've already read a bunch of Batman books. So I was excited that for Bendis's run they'd disappeared Tony, and elevated Riri Williams into the suit.
Most of her story is awesome. I like the character. I like her voice. I like how she interacts with her family, the AI Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, and pretty much everyone she meets. The actual story of the book is easily five stars for me. It's the origin I have a problem with.
1.) I get it. Every superhero writer imagines The Only Way anyone born without powers could ever become a superhero is if one of their guardians and/or their best friend is senselessly murdered. Marvel and DC editorial will heave you and your story out of the penthouse window if you try and give your hero a single other background story. At this point, I'd rather see it mentioned as having happened off-panel than watch it played out again. The best thing [a:Robert Kirkman|12425|Robert Kirkman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1238103316p2/12425.jpg] ever did was provide Invincible with an origin story where his family lived, it's just....(well, go read [b:Invincible, Vol. 1: Family Matters|214867|Invincible, Vol. 1 Family Matters|Robert Kirkman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1288076032s/214867.jpg|5238594]...seriously).
2.) Given that the origin story had to feature the death of a guardian and a best friend, did we HAVE to make his Black protagonist have their family killed in a drive-by at a family picnic? That seems kind of fucked up when it's written by a white guy.
The rest of the story was fantastic, and the origin problem made me roll my eyes, not want to fling the book across the room.
The art is fantastic. [a:Stefano Caselli|9839081|Stefano Caselli|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] is a master of body language and facial expressions. I will buy any book with his name on it. My one issue with the art is that there were at least three times in the trade where the reader is meant to read the top row of both open pages, and then the middle row, and then the bottom row. I didn't find any of those times intuitive, and I've been reading comics for decades. I cant remember the last time I had a problem figuring out panel order in a book written and drawn by professionals. But those are nitpicks. FOr the most part, this book was excellent.
I would recommend it to Iron Man fans, Iron Man haters, people who wish Tony Stark was dead sorta, comic readers hoping for non-white protagonists, people who like The Avengers movies but are afraid to get into books with deep continuity, and readers who want more Pepper Potts in their lives.
Most of her story is awesome. I like the character. I like her voice. I like how she interacts with her family, the AI Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, and pretty much everyone she meets. The actual story of the book is easily five stars for me. It's the origin I have a problem with.
1.) I get it. Every superhero writer imagines The Only Way anyone born without powers could ever become a superhero is if one of their guardians and/or their best friend is senselessly murdered. Marvel and DC editorial will heave you and your story out of the penthouse window if you try and give your hero a single other background story. At this point, I'd rather see it mentioned as having happened off-panel than watch it played out again. The best thing [a:Robert Kirkman|12425|Robert Kirkman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1238103316p2/12425.jpg] ever did was provide Invincible with an origin story where his family lived, it's just....(well, go read [b:Invincible, Vol. 1: Family Matters|214867|Invincible, Vol. 1 Family Matters|Robert Kirkman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1288076032s/214867.jpg|5238594]...seriously).
2.) Given that the origin story had to feature the death of a guardian and a best friend, did we HAVE to make his Black protagonist have their family killed in a drive-by at a family picnic? That seems kind of fucked up when it's written by a white guy.
The rest of the story was fantastic, and the origin problem made me roll my eyes, not want to fling the book across the room.
The art is fantastic. [a:Stefano Caselli|9839081|Stefano Caselli|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] is a master of body language and facial expressions. I will buy any book with his name on it. My one issue with the art is that there were at least three times in the trade where the reader is meant to read the top row of both open pages, and then the middle row, and then the bottom row. I didn't find any of those times intuitive, and I've been reading comics for decades. I cant remember the last time I had a problem figuring out panel order in a book written and drawn by professionals. But those are nitpicks. FOr the most part, this book was excellent.
I would recommend it to Iron Man fans, Iron Man haters, people who wish Tony Stark was dead sorta, comic readers hoping for non-white protagonists, people who like The Avengers movies but are afraid to get into books with deep continuity, and readers who want more Pepper Potts in their lives.
emily_m_green's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
Thank you to Multnomah County Library, who made Invincible Iron Man: Ironheart, Volume 1: Riri Williams by Brian Michael Bendis, Stefano Caselli, and Marte Gracia free and available to the public. Also, for getting rid of late fees and instating automatic renewals, as this book had been waiting awhile for me to read it.
Riri Williams is a super genius, so much so that she has a hard time associating with the world, until she meets Natalie, who quickly becomes her best friend. When Natalie is killed by a stray bullet, Riri throws herself into fine-tuning her Iron Man suit. She is quite surprised when the AI ghost of Tony Stark shows up to train her. A lot of banter between Riri and the Stark AI follows, but Riri holds her own, both in training and in banter.
This is Riri’s origin story, and I quite enjoyed getting to know her. She is smart, witty, focused, and seemingly without fear. She’s also fifteen, which you would never guess from the illustrations, which make her look more like eighteen. Still, Riri is quite cool, and it is good to see a young woman of color as the lead in a comic book. So, there’s that.
But also, I feel Riri. The book came out in 2017, but I first took the book out when the library was only open to drive up pickups. (I know, I know, I have had the book a loooong time--I told you that already). It was a time when, at least for me, connections to others were lost. I had a hard time making phone calls, I had a hard time reaching out, and I had a hard time being at home, though I love my kids and my partner. But I also love teaching, I love connecting with coworkers and the outside world, I love the energy I get from my students and I love listening to their ideas. So, life felt much smaller. Riri’s experience of needing someone else to walk into her garage and engage her feels familiar. It was not until my school opened back up that I began to feel a bit more sane.
Riri Williams is pretty cool in general. Her ability to think fast and be brave inside the suit is nothing to sniff at. She is not drawn like the fifteen year old she is supposed to be, but it is nice to see a teenage superhero who is not a goober.
Would I teach this book? This would be a fun book to teach and a good way to discuss creating more diversity in comic books. So, yeah, I would teach this book.
jennykeery's review
4.0
At this point, I'd happily have Ironheart fly into the UK and declare herself queen. She's already set a precedent. I really like Riri and the dynamic between her and her snarky, Starky AI. ...wasn't as keen on the subplot with Tony's mum, though. I hope Bendis lets Riri shake off some of Iron Man's baggage soon.