Iron Man # 20 - In Absentia

While Marvel didn't lie about not having to read the World War Hulk tie ins, this is probably one of the better crafted ones. While the events in this issue don't really effect the main WWH mini series, it's the other way around that it works so well. We see how World War Hulk is effecting the world of Tony Stark. With Iron Man captured by the Hulk and his Warbound, the focus shifts to Dum Dum Dugan as he has to take charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. and we get to see what he really thinks of Stark's leadership.

This issue could have easily been written as a brainless fight between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Hulk, but this series continues to be about intelligent people having to make difficult decisions. Sure this issue is short on action and heavy on dialog but it's a highly interesting read. Just how would S.H.I.E.L.D. deal with the Hulk in a situation like this? Chances are the answer is far from being as simple as you think. While Iron Man doesn't have a huge part in the actual issue, the entire story is directly effected by him.

The heavy dialog might turn off a lot of people, but it's a very interesting read that manages to continue the series' main plot while tying in with World War Hulk and should be worth checking out for most people. Guice's realistic and gritty art style is also worth noting and sets the tone wonderfully for the series.

Ah, Tony Stark has been taken prisoner, the Hulk is issuing ultimatums, Dum Dum is in control and still no sign of Nick Fury. Will the madness stop? Well, duh, it has to because every story has an ending. Last issue was just lame. Not kind of, it totally was. But there are 3 things I can say about this issue:

1) This Issue is Better than Last Issue.

2) It's not the worst thing I've ever read.

3) This is the last issue of the whole Hulk Tie In thing.

Oh, and I do admit, I liked the cover. And I really have read worse things. The art was more interesting to look at and I did enjoy looking at it. In fact, I liked this issue a lot better than I liked digging glass shards out of the sink drain this morning. But let's get into specifics.

The writing felt better this issue. I don't know why last issue felt like such heavy weight poop to me, but this issue read much better. I admit that I remain still completely disinterested in the entire World War Hulk storyline, but I did try to get as many tie ins for Civil War to get the whole story. Sometimes it worked out and added meat to the story, sometimes it didn't. I supposed that if I was indeed following the Hulk thing, this issue would be worth getting.