View Full Version : Matt Fraction to write 2nd Iron Man Ongoing
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 06:28 PM
Don't see a thread about this yet, but:
Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca helm new Iron Man Series in May. (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=146352)
Now, I know there are a few Fraction haters out there, but...wow, based on The Order, and particularly the last, "political" issue of that series, this could be great. Tony Stark as the billionaire playboy turned director of a super-spy agency? Seems perfect for Fraction.
Hmmm .... what do I need less?
Another book by Fraction
or
Another Iron Man book
It's a puzzler.
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 07:20 PM
Hmmm .... what do I need less?
Another book by Fraction
or
Another Iron Man book
It's a puzzler.
Bastard!
And we agree so much on movies...
Me, I've always liked Iron Man, and I'm digging what Fraction's been doing on The Order. So it makes sense for me.
But that, obviously, is just me. ;)
six-gun
02-11-2008, 07:25 PM
I don't know. Two Iron Man books? Necessary? Really?
conorkilpatrick
02-11-2008, 07:28 PM
I don't know. Two Iron Man books? Necessary? Really?
That was my first thought. I don't even think the first one has enough sales to justify it.
k33k3r
02-11-2008, 07:28 PM
That will be two too many....
Well if only it was similar to the Enter the Mandarin then it would be worth reading but its fraction so it wont be!
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 07:34 PM
That was my first thought. I don't even think the first one has enough sales to justify it.
From a sales standpoint, you could be right. But I'm not speculating on Marvel's business practices (though they're obviously tying to the movie here). I'm just thinking: am I interested in this team and this character?
The answer, for me, is "yes."
It's possible I could drop the main book and only read this one.
Or I may not like it at all and drop it after an issue.
But I think it's an interesting match-up, and I'm definitely curious.
kwok_talk
02-11-2008, 07:48 PM
I don't know. Two Iron Man books? Necessary? Really?
I thought that too. The only thing I could think of was that Marvel was banking that the movie would bring in enough interest and new readers to grab both.
k33k3r
02-11-2008, 07:56 PM
shouldn't they be able to determine if that was going to happen or not by now? I mean they've put out how many movies now.... 10??? Shouldn't they know that books sales really odn't spike that much from movies.
Bastard!
And we agree so much on movies...
Well, the difference is that you like bad comics. ;)
I'm teasing you of course. I used to read the first book, but beyond Civil War I just didn't care anymore. Tony has been cool before, but I'm not that interested in him anymore.
Also, I have a hard time getting past his stance in Civil War.
And that .... is why many famous non-politicians don't talk about politics.
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 08:10 PM
shouldn't they be able to determine if that was going to happen or not by now? I mean they've put out how many movies now.... 10??? Shouldn't they know that books sales really odn't spike that much from movies.
But comics have also come more into the spotlight in the past 5 years. Maybe they're thinking that people MIGHT be more likely to check out comics now -- if Marvel offers the right comics. Remember, when X-men hit, they were in the middle of some awful Chris Claremont "revitalization" of the X-men.
So maybe they're thinking that a new series, devoid of a lot of continuity, might actually work. You know, like this:
"hey, I liked Iron Man, do you have any comics like that?"
"Sure, kid. Here are the first two issues of The Invincible Iron Man. Perfect place to jump aboard."
Now...do I think they're right? Do I think this will work?
No, I'd say there's probably a good chance it won't.
But that's an argument for the industry, and it's a different argument than whether or not I'm personally interested in reading this series (and apparently I'm the one one ;) ).
superfriend82
02-11-2008, 08:14 PM
This is hard for me because i like Matt Fraction but i don't like Iron Man. :confused:
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 08:14 PM
Also, I have a hard time getting past his stance in Civil War.
And that's where we differ, I guess. Not that I completely agree with his stance, but I not only do I understand it, I also think it makes him an interesting character in terms of story. It would be too easy to vilify him, so to attempt to make him an empathetic character is fascinating to me.
k33k3r
02-11-2008, 08:15 PM
Hell if someone asks me about new iron man stuff I tell them to buy the first trade of Ultimate Iron Man and the current ultimate IM mini.
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 08:22 PM
Hell if someone asks me about new iron man stuff I tell them to buy the first trade of Ultimate Iron Man and the current ultimate IM mini.
Not disagreeing, but if you're Marvel, it might behoove you to get someone hooked on an ONGOING monthly. That's how they raised several generations of readers.
Will it still work today? maybe. But why not have a couple options for people? Marvel obviously feels they can afford it.
conorkilpatrick
02-11-2008, 08:25 PM
I think they main Iron Man book is quite good. I've only read the last two issues but they were a lot of fun.
The best Iron Man book of any kind right now is Enter the Mandarin.
I read the first couple of Ultimate Iron Man II and they didn't do a lot for me.
labor_days
02-11-2008, 08:25 PM
Fraction could probably write a really smarmy and effective Tony Stark. Stark needs to be a prick.
I like Iron Man in the abstract. I like Fraction. I hate Larocca's art.
Pass.
esophagus
02-11-2008, 08:27 PM
At first I was excited. I thought new Iron Man book might be the end of an old Iron Man book. The fact that they're going to co-exist is what kills me. Iron Man is an awesome character, but in his own book he's just an asshole. I thought maybe Fraction would make him a little better, or at least throw in some more justification. Now, if he does that, it'll only make continuity make no sense. Damn. This has serious potential, but in reality it should be the only Iron Man ongoing.
smokmnky
02-11-2008, 08:27 PM
Well I'm sure you guessed it by me avatar but I'm an Iron Man fan, something about him has always appealed to me. I'm really looking forward to this and its just going to make May that much cooler of a month for me.
At first I was excited. I thought new Iron Man book might be the end of an old Iron Man book. The fact that they're going to co-exist is what kills me. Iron Man is an awesome character, but in his own book he's just an asshole. I thought maybe Fraction would make him a little better, or at least throw in some more justification. Now, if he does that, it'll only make continuity make no sense. Damn. This has serious potential, but in reality it should be the only Iron Man ongoing.
If there are two books they'll be under the same editor. I assume that if Fraction breaks new ground the editor will have the other book mirror it. It may be that the books are going to move the character into a new direction.
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 09:59 PM
The fact that they're going to co-exist is what kills me. Iron Man is an awesome character, but in his own book he's just an asshole.
Have you read the book recently, Eso? I don't really think he's written as an asshole. He's overloaded, determined, strong-willed, but I don't get the asshole vibe. I actually like his character quite a bit in the current series.
I think he's been vilified in OTHER books, but I think Brubaker has done him well in Cap and the Knaufs are handling him well in the main Iron Man book.
And the little bit that Fraction did with him in The Order was not bad, either.
comhcinc
02-11-2008, 10:03 PM
i'm about three months behind on ironman, but the current series is awful. or has been for the last year anyway.
i really like ironman and i hope this new series is a good one. i'll buy the first arc anyway.
but two monthlys? i don't like when any character has more than one book(team books not counting, but i don't like when a character is on more than one team) so they should do one or the other.
as for new people coming on board to comics the movies do work a little. a guy today was asking me where he could buy some ironman books and what he should by(someone in the TRS board asked the same thing) now, having too many books may be confusing to new buyers...it would to me any way.
dave-accampo
02-11-2008, 10:21 PM
i'm about three months behind on ironman, but the current series is awful. or has been for the last year anyway.
To each their own, of course, but I think the current series has been rather good. The Knaufs are writing a political thriller with Tony as the director of SHIELD just trying to stay on top of things. Not a perfect series by any means, but a solid take on the character.
I loved some of the revelations in the last couple of issues, where Tony is seeing ghosts, but they reason that it might be his Extremis-altered brain helping him to solve the mystery subconsciously. It's rather Ellis-worthy, honestly.
gungadin
02-11-2008, 10:32 PM
Fraction? Eh. Larroca? Yeahno. I'm really gonna pass on this one too...
idave
02-11-2008, 11:01 PM
That was my first thought. I don't even think the first one has enough sales to justify it.
Well that may be the case now, but after the movie, Iron MAn will probably see a huge surge in popularity and the sales will come.
conorkilpatrick
02-11-2008, 11:02 PM
Well that may be the case now, but after the movie, Iron MAn will probably see a huge surge in popularity and the sales will come.
If you say so.
six-gun
02-12-2008, 12:48 AM
Yeah, I don't think that the movie's going to give the comic that mush of a boost
comhcinc
02-12-2008, 01:13 AM
no not a huge surge, but it will draw in some people(i know of 2) so there you go.
six-gun
02-12-2008, 01:28 AM
I get the feeling that everyone at Marvel really likes Matt Fraction and they want him to succeed and yet he doesn't.
"Matt, I really like your stuff!"
Thanks Brian, I was wondering if I could fill-in on..."
"What was that? Oh, sorry, got to go man, Secret Invasion isn't writing itself"
"Hey Ed, I was wondering if you could put your name on the next issue of Punisher?"
"Do I get half the royalties?"
"That would kind of defeat the purpose"
"Um, Mr. Quesada, I'd like to maybe get on the new ASM"
"Sorry Matt, but we gave that job to the guy wrote wrote Back to the Future"
lucero
02-12-2008, 01:54 AM
I really want a good solo Iron Man book. I tried Ultimate II and it didn't do it for me. I'll probably try the regular ongoing and I would try this one but I'm not sure if I can handle Larocca's art. Plus, can Fraction actually rein it in enough to make his Iron Man believable?
esophagus
02-12-2008, 02:20 AM
To each their own, of course, but I think the current series has been rather good. The Knaufs are writing a political thriller with Tony as the director of SHIELD just trying to stay on top of things. Not a perfect series by any means, but a solid take on the character.
I loved some of the revelations in the last couple of issues, where Tony is seeing ghosts, but they reason that it might be his Extremis-altered brain helping him to solve the mystery subconsciously. It's rather Ellis-worthy, honestly.
No, I definitely haven't read it recently, so my opinion on the book really isn't worth a whole lot. I've never loved the way the character was handled, and have never regularly picked up his solo series.
Maybe this book will take a different direction and focus more on Tony Stark being Iron Man and beating ass than it will the more politically S.H.I.E.L.D. tinted storylines he's been going through since Civil War. My only thought to two ongoing monthlies is that they will both feature Iron Man, but have different themes/tones.
I really like Matt Fraction but have never really been a fan of LaRocca...although I think a lot of his work is affected immensely by who colors and inks it.
diabhol
02-12-2008, 06:05 AM
I don't love Larocca, but I like Fraction's Marvel stuff so far and (obviously) I'm an Iron Man fan.
I'll be buyin' it.
humphrey-lee
02-12-2008, 06:16 AM
The problem with something like this is that, while I like Iron Man, I really already see him so much in other books I never feel the need to buy any of his own. Even without buying a single Superman monthly, I see him in at least 2 or 3 other books a month so it's not like I'm living without the Big Boy Scout. As much as I like Matt Fraction and would gladly support another book of his, I see Tony Stark at least three times a month as is, and I don't buy a single Avengers title or his own book. I just don't need more Iron Man.
Chances are, I'll just buy issues out of dollar bins once every six months at a convention. That seems to be my new thing. I'm buying like, five series that way now.
optimus187prime
02-12-2008, 03:57 PM
I didnt care for the current Iron Man series after the first arch (Ellis). The fact that I am digging Iron Fist and War Journal, plus I like Iron Man makes this a buy for me in trade form. As long as the reviews of the "floppies" are decent.
gi_josh
02-12-2008, 04:16 PM
Like some of you have mentioned, I think that Fraction could write a really killer Tony Stark. I'm really digging everything that Matt is doing right now, hes one of the next big ones in comics, in a couple years he'll be able to get on any freakin' book he wants.
I for one am looking forward to this.
mikegraham6
02-13-2008, 12:05 AM
im with humphrey, tony seems to work best as a periphery character who shows up now and again in other books (the new nick fury).
i love fraction, but i hate larroca, i think i'll pass on this and if it gets good reviews i'll probably check it out in trade.