War Machine: Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. #33-35 (2008): Series ends

These are the final issues for this series, and Marvel lets Rhodey take over the title from Iron Man.  But then again, we are in the world of skrull takeovers so maybe it’s appropriate.

Not that War Machine doesn’t deserve his own book, but this title was such a breath of fresh of air that it makes me a bit sad that a different lead character and creative team hijacks it at the very end.  Matt Fraction’s Iron Man run, which is ongoing at this time, deservedly got lots of praise–but this title should have also been recognized.

Plus, if feels like it’s half-asses, with generic covers that could have been sitting in a drawer for a decade.

Right before Tony learned that his armor had been taken over by the skrulls, he sent a distress call to James Rhodes.  For some reason, Rhodey’s armor is fine.  He works closely with Suzy Endo of Tony’s “Force Works” and then Russia’s Winter Guard to fight some a bunch of skrulls and emerge with the promise of a solo series.

Notably, all of the Winter Guard (except Ursa) are legacy heroes, like Rhodes, using someone else’s identity to establish their super-presence. (I know Rhodey goes by War Machine but…He’s Iron Man.)

Meh.  Marvel keeps trying to give Rhodey his own book and the books keep kinda sucking.