Hidden Gem: Invincible Iron Man #11 review: Real life heroes

Invincible Iron Man #11 could have easily disappeared amongst the shelves of other big comics out there, but this week’s issue was something special.

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Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artists: Stefano Caselli, Kate Niemczyk, Taki Soma, & Kiichi Mizushima

Color Artist: Marte Gracia

Cover Artist: Jesus Saiz
Variant Cover Artist: Adi Granov

This particular issue takes place between some larger story arcs and ramps up for the upcoming ‘Search for Tony Stark’ story line. It is really a small story compared to the current fallout of Marvel’s Secret Empire or DC’s Metal event. Most people would probably call this a filler issue between the big action.

Brian Michael Bendis has been writing Iron Man for a little while now and the spotlight has certainly shifted to the newest Iron-clad hero, Riri Willaims. However, this issue turns things back towards Tony Stark. Invincible Iron Man #11 might as well be called a one-shot because it is pretty much an insular story. The reason it sticks out among all the other comics this week is because they tried something different.

There are four different artists that worked on this particular issue. Normally, that many artists in the same book would be a little annoying. I mean often publishers only do this to allow artists time to work on other books. However, this week Bendis made an intentional effort to shine spotlights on some female artists that are still finding their place in the larger market. Stefano Caselli has been the normal artist for the book, but this time the work was shared with Kate Niemczyk, Kiichi Mizushima, and Taki Soma who is making her Marvel comics debut.

The actual story of this issue is pretty simple. It recounts multiple moments throughout Tony Stark’s life where he had some small interaction in the past with the current characters in the series. It is all framed around his recently discovered birth mother digging through his past to get to know her son better while he is still stuck in that Civil War II coma.

We get to see a younger version of Mary Jane when she was still a model. A younger and drunker version of Tony Stark hits on her before realizing she is more than your average pretty girl. They ultimately find a way to connect over their shared lack of solid parenting. Then we jump to the Secret Invasion story line where it is revealed that Iron Man, in the chaos of battle, actually rescued Riri and her step-father from a Thor-like skrull.

It even goes so far as to display many of the charitable venture Stark pursued throughout his life. This part feels a little hammy when it talks about he helps orphanages and holds babies, but the overly sentimental nature of this issue has a purpose.

Other than debuting new talent artistic talent, the purpose of this issue was a dedication that is explained in detail in the final page of the issue. A neighbor and good friend of Bendis recently passed away and this issue was dedicated to him and the good he had done in his life. The man’s name was Richard Cheek. He was apparently a real-life war hero and very generous man. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter that it comes off as a little cheesy because that was on purpose. This quote from Bendis explains his intention with this issue,

"“I thought you’d like a reminder…They are people who do kindenesses because that’s what you’re supposed to do. In his honor, today, if you find someone that needs a little kindness, maybe stop and do it…Be an honest-to-goodness real super hero like (Richard) Cheek. A kindness is all it takes.”"

Must Read: 100 greatest superhero stories

What did you think of Invincible Iron Man #11?