Invincible Iron Man - Volume 6: Stark Resilient - Book 2 (Iron Man (Marvel Comics)) [Hardcover]

In the second book of Stark Resilient, we're faced with a new and improved Rescue, a scheming Hammer mother and daughter duo (not to mention an unexpected twist), an army of robotic drones, and lots of explosions. This is a great book. Probably because it makes Tony Stark's new company, Stark Resilient, faced with obstacles one after the other. He's constantly getting trouble from all sides. But that's what happen when you're a new company and you're taking a risk. No matter what Tony and his team faces, this is called Invincible Iron Man for a reason.

That boy done lost his mind! But Tony Stark is all better now, thank you. For those who haven't been keeping tabs on the ol' shellhead, here's some of what went down recently (but if you're up to date, skip to the fourth paragraph): The Dark Reign era was one of Tony Stark's lowest points. Ousted from his top cop position, soaking in the hate from half the Marvel capes for his involvement in the Civil War, Tony also had to fend off new top cop Norman Osborn who coveted his tech and the secret identities kept in the Superhuman Registration Act database. Before he went on the run, Tony wrecked his own company and all his remaining assets and gradually wiped away his own mind (which stored its own share of invaluable knowledge).

Tony Stark has recently regained full function of his mind, except for bits of memory loss here and there (specifically, he can't recall his past few years). With his closest confidantes, he's out for a fresh start in Seattle, Washington, attempting to rebuild his company, now calling it Stark Resilient. Tony's new venture hangs its hat on a revolutionary car that runs on repulsor tech instead of fossil fuel. Tony's ultimate goal is to make his repulsor technology accessible and affordable to every consumer. He's got his philanthropic groove on.

With Tony having stepped away from the warmongering business, the void he leaves is filled by Justine and Sasha Hammer, scheming daughter and grand-daughter of Tony's old foe. Hammer Industries has introduced its own armored operative, Detroit Steel, and has snapped up Tony's old U.S. military contracts. But the Hammers' cup of Stark hater-ade is overflowing, and so the agenda is not only to take his place in the weaponizing market but also to provoke and humiliate the guy at every turn. Anything and everything to promote Detroit Steel and simultaneously kick Iron Man to the curb. And that's where we're at as this new volume opens.

Oh, wait, Pepper Potts is now back to armoring up as Rescue.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN Vol. 6: STARK RESILIENT Book 2 collects issues #29-33. Matt Fraction is still writing the hell out of this series, still keeping me invested in these characters. This volume is more action-packed than the last and continues the Hammer girls' assault on Tony Stark and all he holds dear. Tony and his staff are attempting to launch their revolutionary car. The Hammers mean to discredit the demo event, their latest salvo involving a pretty neat tech gimmick centered around hordes of anonymous gamers given Apps thru their cell phones, Apps which they believe are video games featuring Detroit Steel. In real, these gamers are unwittingly providing wingmen support as attack drones for Detroit Steel as he sabotages Stark Resilient. Think ENDER'S GAME with more nerd elements.

I love that Pepper Potts has become such a dynamic character and a strong hero in her own right. And in this volume we learn her true feelings regarding Tony (see the short backup story "Again at the End of the World With Your Pal Pepper Potts"). Matt Fraction keeps several plates spinning in the air; Maria Hill pokes her nose in at some point. I'm seriously thinking of converting to the trade format on a permanent basis, at least with certain titles. This volume is another example in which it's best to read the arc in trade format as opposed to buying the individual issues. Fraction at first sets a leisurely (but not dull) pace and then ratchets things up. The last two issues in this volume are all-out fighty fights between the Iron Man team and Detroit Steel and his cellular-powered, nerd-manipulated drone fleet. And Pepper Potts, darling Rescue, plays a pivotal role. Interestingly, the J.A.R.V.I.S. A.I. reveals a side that will have readers mulling things...

Fraction keeps it real, in a way. When all's said and done, certain of Tony's agendas have been advanced. But has the problem of Hammer Industries gone away? No. In fact, Tony may have ended up with a Pyrrhic victory. He's unaware that, from the enemy front, chess pieces are being moved, plots are being realized. We glimpse the return of two of Iron Man's most dangerous villains. But, hey, from the wreckage of Iron Man's last encounter, at least Tony ends up with a nifty television ad promoting his Resilient model. Betty looks good.

Lastly, issue #33 gives us a solid bonus short story that tracks Tony one day in his life. No dialogue or captions in this one. Instead, the story is told and advanced partly thru the presence of that which identifies Tony most: tech gadgets. "Good Morning, Tony" gives us further insight (if not new insight) on Tony's private life, and it's a bit sad. Jamie McKelvie draws "Good Morning, Tony," as well as the other short "Again at the End of the World With Your Pal Pepper Potts."

P.S., yes, Salvador Larroca rocks mightily.

I have become a fan of Iron Man over the past few years, and Matt Fraction's run has been incredible thus far. He has built an even more complex and intricate character out of Tony Stark over the past few years and I can only imagine what is in store for the intrepid industrialist. This is a great arc in the return of Stark from his mind-erasing battle with Norman Osborne