Ultimate Iron Man

    (Marvel, 2005)
™ and © 2005 Marvel Characters, Inc.

For the umpteen millionth time here is a modern Marvel debut that never sees the title character in costume or in action. In fact, Tony Stark only appears in one panel—as an unborn child. Fortunately, veteran SF writer Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) ensures that things never get dull, regardless of the editorial edict that may or may not be in place regarding #1 issues.

The story focuses in part on the divorce of Howard and Loni Stark, the former a kinder, gentler military industrialist, the latter a scheming, conniving snake (she says so herself) with plans to take over Stark Defense Corporation. The portrayal of Loni is pretty one–dimensional, but her ploy helps give the story needed conflict. In addition to marital strife and corporate shenanigans, there’s a new type of armor in the works and a disturbing (to the purist) explanation for Stark’s advanced intelligence. In terms of visuals, the prolific Danny Miki’s inks flesh out Andy Kubert’s capable pencils nicely.

— Brett Weiss
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Chrome cover by Bryan Hitch
    May 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    15 copies from $0.99
  • 1-2
    #1 - 2nd printing
    2nd Printing Cover by Bryan Hitch
    May 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    3 copies from $0.99
  • 1-3
    #1 - 3rd printing
    3rd Printing Cover by Andy Kubert
    Sep 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    5 copies from $2.49
  • 1/A
    #1 Variation A
    Cover A by Andy Kubert
    May 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    8 copies from $1.45
  • 1/A-3
    #1 Variation A - 3rd printing
    3rd Printing Cover A by Andy Kubert
    May 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    Giveaway version
    1 copy for $2.75
  • 2
    #2
    Jun 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    15 copies from $0.75
  • 3
    #3
    Sep 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    9 copies from $0.99
  • 4
    #4
    Nov 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert
    12 copies from $0.99
  • 5
    #5
    Feb 2006
    Cover: $2.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert, Mark Bagley
    10 copies from $1.75
  • Bk 1/A
    Book #1 Variation A
    Apr 2006
    Cover: $19.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert, Mark Bagley
    Collects #1-5
    2 copies from $14.50
  • Bk 1/HC
    Book #1 Hardcover
    Hardcover Edition with cover by Andy Kubert
    Apr 2006
    Cover: $19.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert, Mark Bagley
    Collects #1-5
    1 copy for $7.00
  • Dlx 1
    Deluxe Set #1
    Cover: $29.99
    W: Orson Scott Card  ·  A: Andy Kubert, Pasqual Ferry
    Collects Ultimate Iron Man #1-5 and Ultimate Iron Man II #1-5
    1 copy for $29.99