Iron Man [2020] #4 - Marvel Comics

IRON MAN No. 4, February 2021

Starting with a demoralised Tony Stark being interviewed by the New York media over the sudden disappearance of his long-term friend James Rhodes, Christopher Cantwell’s script for “The Man With The Golden Arms” more than likely had some of its readers scrambling through the ongoing series’ back issues to see whether they had somehow missed an edition or two. For whilst the twenty-page periodical’s plot does an okay job in quickly explaining that War Machine’s alter-ego has apparently been abducted by the “cut-rate android” Michael Korvac as a deterrent to thwart Iron Man’s meddling in the cosmic entity’s plans, the comic never explains just how the U.S. Armed Forces Commander was kidnapped, nor how this event directly follows on from this book’s previous instalment which left both Shell-head and Hellcat apparently at their enemy’s mercy following them receiving a massive electrical discharge.

Instead, Issue Four of “Iron Man” simply takes up with the contrived narrative that Korvac allowed his opponents to live, even though he clearly thought the titular character was such a threat to his machinations that he needed the Controller to help snatch Rhodes, and will apparently kill his prisoner if Tony attempts “to bring in help.” Of course, even the arrogant billionaire inventor isn’t quite so egotistical as to believe he can tackle the cyborg “with mega-lightning powers” alone. But rather than apparently risk involving the Avengers, the Fantastic Four or “Xavier’s people on Krakoa”, the hero rather unconvincingly argues that it would be in James’ best interest if he fought the former “Wielder of the Power Cosmic” with nothing more than a group of “fringe” vigilantes; “I don’t even know if these people could win against the Phillies.” 

Perhaps this comic’s biggest disappointment however, is in its portrayal of a love-sick Patsy Walker, who despite suffering “insane fractal burns on my face” and disconcertingly hearing a strange voice in her head, decides the best course of action will be to start a romantic relationship with a man she has persistently criticised and scolded since she was first introduced into the storyline. In addition, Cantwell would have his audience believe that somehow Korvac has established a strong telepathic link with Hellcat, to the point that he physically takes over the Defender whilst she is helping Stark recruit his ‘new team’ and makes a complete mockery of any aspiration Tony has of surprising Michael with his "off the radar" rescuers.

The regular cover art of "IRON MAN" #4 by Alex Ross