Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man, Vol. 14

Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man

by David Michelinie (Writer), Bob Layton (Cover Art)

The Marvel Masterworks continue David Michelinie and Bob Layton’s timeless IRON MAN run! Tony Stark recovers from his problems with the bottle by throwing himself into globetrotting business (and pleasure), but his enemies aren’t giving him an edge: The All-Devourer awaits in Hong Kong, the Titanium Man is ready to tango in Times Square and Force makes his brutal debut in the Bahamas! But sometimes it’s your friends you need to worry about the most: Can Stark beat back a hostile takeover of his company by Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.? With rich characterizations, a vibrant supporting cast and a steady stream of new armor designs, Michelinie and Layton prove they’re just getting started! Collecting IRON MAN (1968) #129-144

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes, Graphic Novels

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 4, 2022

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, quite enjoyable. No classic storylines and a couple of fairly average issues, but mostly good storytelling, great art, and solid superheroing.

[Ross Kitson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the superb run on Iron Man begun in the last volume, Michelinie brings us some excellent stories with new foes and old, with some challenges out of the armour as within. Although no tales are as seminal as last volumes alcohol stories, we still get some great scraps, great dilemmas, and enjoyable expansions in the cast list. Beth and Rhodey are front and centre, as are security chiefs, researchers, HR, and even Starks physician! It’s good writing, on,y occasionally failed by Iron Man’s ability to pull a McMuffin trick out of his armour for literally every challenge.
Minor nit picking though as this is a great set of stories, with Hammer, Titanium Man, Force, Sunturion, Maggia, Mdm Masque, and Dreadnoughts. The art is superb, with Bob Layton tying it all together as both co plotter, inker, and intermittent penciller. Such a good look that really suited the slick tech vibe of the comic and the era.
4 to 4.5 stars.

[L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of the Seventies artwork but oh, how I love the fashions. (Although I do question the Carribbean look of speedos and tube socks.) Steve Martin and Rodney Dangerfield make cameos (?) while Iron Man roller skates his way through several adventures. Seriously, skates need to come back in style. Tony is given a formidable girlfriend in Bethany Cabe but she isn't given enough chance to kick ass.

[José Ignacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michelinie keeping it up

Michelinie, Layton & Romita Jr. are all still taking the reigns of the book, but at first it does feel like they take a bit of time to develop stuff past Demon in a Bottle.

There’s no major stories here like that precious volume, but it is enjoyable enough and Michelinie and Layton play around with Tony's supporting cast really well. That said, it lacks the oomph that the previous volume had.

Still fun tho.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Energetic

Good color artwork. A thick compendium of iron man exploits. Tony stark fights alcoholism. Iron man fights the hulk. Justin hammer makes problems. Madame masque attacks. Sunturian shows us the future is energy.

[John Peel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent set of Iron Man stories by various writers and artists. Nothing stands out, but nothing is bad, either.