As of 2023, Iron Man will have been an integral part of the Marvel Universe for 60 years. To celebrate this milestone, Marvel is kicking off a new era for the character. Invincible Iron Man #1 — by writer Gerry Duggan, artist Juan Frigeri, colorist Bryan Valenza, and letterer Joe Caramagna — pays tribute to the past in the best way possible: by throwing Tony Stark into even more turmoil.
The story begins with a quick recap of who Tony is and what he has been up to for the last six decades as the character prepares to write an autobiography like his father did. Once the reader catches up with the major details, they are thrown into the present when Tony hits a new low after a tragedy. He isn’t down and out yet, but he needs to figure out what’s going on — and fast — if he wants to bounce back.
Invincible Iron Man #1 does a fantastic job of being an accessible jumping-on point for new Iron Man fans. By cloaking the exposition under the veil of Tony’s writing, Duggan can let the hero tell his story in his own humorous manner. This is also a smart way to unpack many recent events, some of which might come across as convoluted or unapproachable to new readers who might not have all the context and nuance. For the first time in a while, anyone and everyone can pick up an Iron Man book and know exactly where they are in the Marvel Universe without feeling overwhelmed.
Duggan also has a knack for capturing Tony’s voice. While other writers have veered to the extremes of either making Tony too quippy or too serious, Duggan finds the perfect balance to craft a three-dimensional character. He knows when it’s time for Tony to make a wise-guy remark and when to hold back.
Frigeri employs a classic comic book art style in Invincible Iron Man #1. He pays tribute to previous artists through the linework and designs of characters and locations but still maintains a modern aesthetic. It’s particularly pleasing to see the artist’s rendition of classic moments from Iron Man’s past, including all the older armor. Valenza brings a hopeful and cheerful color palette to the story. Much like other contemporary Marvel titles, the coloring is bright even when the subject matter descends into darker territories. Caramagna gets time to shine in the lettering department, as nearly every panel features Tony narrating the story for his autobiography.
Recent Iron Man runs have been good, but they haven’t been great, as readers have had to dig through the weeds to make sense of modern Marvel continuity. Invincible Iron Man #1 has all the hallmarks of an instant classic. It hits all the right beats and notes as it goes back to basics and finds the soul of the character. The story is clear and easy to follow — something that’s sure to delight old and new fans alike.
