The Invincible Iron Man # 19 - World's Most Wanted, Conclusion

It's finally here! Iron Patriot VS Iron Man! Not as we expected it, but still. It's even better. Tony has literally lost everything, his speech now reduced from just spelling errors a few issues back, to now just phrases that the art seems to be comminicating are a struggle to say. It's like watching worlds collide, beautiful. 
 
It ends on a note that sets up the next big storyline, and I'm happy for this book, I hated the art at first, but now I love it! (Iron Patriot looks awesome in this art.) so if I were you, I'd buy this! 
 
A random note - STOP PUTTING "Eiesner winner" on the cover! We get it Matt, you won an award! Sheesh! Bragger much?? 
 
5/5 - Buy it twice and give a copy to a friend, then make him show all his other friends, etc

While Matt Fraction's work on Uncanny X-men continues to be questioned, there's no question that he can channel Tony Stark like no other writer going all the way back to David Michelinie's legendary run during volume one.  This is what an Eisner Winner looks like. It's got the right blend of pacing, story, character growth, and art that compliments the author's style.
 
As every one knows by now, Tony may have won the Civil War but his reach exceeded his grasp. The Secret Invasion discredited Stark and the outgoing President turns over the position of top cop to none other than Norman Osborn, enter Dark Reign.
 
Norman wastes no time pinning the entire blame on Tony Stark but he wants more than just Tony, he wants the Super Hero registration list. Tony being Tony would never compromise with a madman and the chase is on! This is the heart of Dark Reign. It's a terrifying story about the wrong administration getting into power and abusing its autonomy to blame the wrong people in order to establish its own agenda. Not just Tony is hunted but his loved ones. 
 
 As Norman combs the planet for Tony, Stark's brain is slowly losing its cognitive ability due to a self-inflicted brain damage. As Tony loses more and more of his intelligence, he's forced to use less sophisticated armor one issue after another until he is back in the desert, facing down in his original bulky silver Metal monstrousity. 
 
The conclusion does not disappoint. This is the defining moment of Pepper Potts. It's Norman's coupe de grace vs. Tony. If it's at all possible every one gets what they wanted but one character might not like what he received when he's left holding the bag with egg on his face. 
 
Rating: Buy it! and buy it again, when it is released a hard cover trade.