Iron Man: Something Strange!
By Dean Hale and Douglas Holgate
Abrams Fanfare/96 pages/12.99
After three team-up books featuring Spider-Man, the young reader line shines the spotlight on Iron Man and Doctor Strange, and it’s a fun time. Aimed at 5-9-year-old readers, the book ostensibly is about an alien infestation that comes to shellhead’s attention when the Avengers’ communication system fails. It turns out the ten little creatures are the offspring of an interdimensional creature who is none-too-happy to be on Iron Man’s plane of existence.
When the Golden Avenger runs out of science-based options, he takes Thor’s advice and seeks supernatural help from the Master of the Mystic Arts. Here’s where the real theme emerges: science versus magic becomes a running gag between the two heroes. With just an hour to collect the children of Great Gargantos, Scourge of the Outer Planes, Tonty Stark challenges Stephen Strange to see who can corral the most children.
Dean Hale is no stranger to writing young superhero stories, and here, he does a fine job simplifying all the heroes into child-sized personalities without losing Stark’s egocentrism. He finely weaves in humorous cameos from the Avengers and Spidey. It’s interesting that the most wisdom comes not from the armored Avenger or Sorcerer Supreme but from Ms. Marvel, in another cameo. The only sour note is his bad explanation for why the armor’s AI is named Friday.
Douglas Holgate’s art is well-suited to the characters and the story, keeping things easy to follow and filled with nice little touches throughout. Ian Herring’s colors keep up with the frenetic pace.
This is a solid addition to the Mighty Marvel Yea-Ups from Abrams Fanfare.
English (US) · 