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Not Quite So Indomitable
Phew, so, yesterday was quite something, blog-wise. So many pro-gay/trans rights Christians appearing out of the woodwork, so many kind Atheists and Agnostics speaking up in support. I saw, later in the day, Cheryl Morgan pointing out the #godlyforequality Twitter hashtag to someone who was obviously being persecuted, saying here was somewhere they could look to see loads of religious folk who were supportive and wishing them well. One of the proudest moments of my life, that. Seriously. We did something good there. You lot should be proud of yourselves.So, getting back to my secular life... in other news, you remember Jody Portugal from those photos of people at the Forbidden Planet signing? She's only got her picture in the current SFX magazine too. Is this some sort of bet? I think we should be told.
And I'm honoured to have had my novelette 'One of Our Bastards is Missing', published in the Solaris Book of New Science Fiction 3, included on Locus Magazine's Recommended Reading List for 2009. This is what all SF writers seek for their work, and I'm pleased as punch.
Today my Indomitable Iron Man is out, as I put it to the wife last night. I did wonder why she laughed so much. Indeed, it's in US comic stores today, and UK ones on Thursday, but there may be a bit of a problem. As Ben Fardon the owner of the wonderful Proud Lion comic shop in Cheltenham told me (and if you're nearby, you really should pop along, for a very sociable experience), there was a serious accident involving the truck that was delivering several Marvel titles from the printer to the distributors, meaning that many copies of said titles were lost. So Diamond will only be delivering half the initial orders now, and making up the difference later. So Indomitable Iron Man #1 may be quite a bit rarer than it otherwise would have been. Hint, hint.
At least, as Rich Johnston revealed in his post about the situation, nobody involved was badly hurt. So we're free to feel glee at the idea of there actually being a big comics truck that takes the issues straight to a waiting aircraft, like something out of Chigley.
The issue itself is something I'm very proud of, a one off black and white magazine, with Howard Chaykin writing and drawing one full length story, and me and artist Willam Rosado doing another, in a style designed to hark back to the Marvel black and white range of the 1970s. There was much discussion as to whether we should use the old Iron Man armour design, but finally we decided that the new look would look cool in monochrome. The story is called 'Berserker', and it's about Tony Stark's chickens coming home to roost.
If you do find a copy, please let me know what you think. And I look forward to seeing some of you at the SFX Weekender. Do say hello. Until then, Cheerio!
Labels:
Cheryl Morgan,
Christianity,
Equality Bill,
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Tony Stark keeps homing chickens? Blimey, Marvel's been keeping that quiet - the scamps!
Definitely going to give this a look. But shouldn't it be Indomitable, not Indominitable?
It's all about the chickens. And oh for goodness' sake! You're right, DwWorde, I actually didn't know how to spell the title of my own comic! I am utterly ashamed, and have edited to change it. I think that mis-spelling must date right back to childhood, because I've always assumed it was that! Thanks for pointing that out, before more people laughed at me.
Glad to help, Paul, and thank you so much for doing that.
By the way, I always thought that Asterix was the Indomitable Iron Man, or was that the Indomitable Iron Age Man...
I had fun illustrating this story. thanks!
will
You're welcome, Cheryl. And you know, I never want to spell that word in public again! And Will, thank you for doing such a great job, and brilliant to see you here.
Thanks.I wanted to send a not directly but don't have your email(i guess I could have asked Jody). This was probably the most fun I've had drawing a comic in quite some time. Helps that I inked it.
Cool. Is there any chance one of you can tell Iron Man to stop testing his new suits near where I live in south Manchester.
The atmospheric interference from his new pulse cannons and the fact that he is blowing stuff up willy nilly is making it snow.
It's either that. Or some RAF Commander has a really bad case of dandruff and has neglected to close his cockpit while flying the plane.
Anyway. I have this on the list. Hope it sells big.
If your wife laughed at the idea of your Indomitable Iron Man just be glad it wasn't a Giant-Size Man-Thing.
- Rob Hansen
Spoilers in this comment!
Well, I managed to secure a copy from my local comic book store, and I haven't finished the entirety of it, but I read your story. I really enjoyed it, especially the way you've got this contrast going with his lack of a human family and the way his probe viewed him as family that left it behind. Especially coming from you, that ending left a lasting impression. Top form as usual, Mr Cornell.
I loved this whole issue. It perfectly captures why I love Iron Man/Tony Stark so much. He demands so much of himself, that even his successes become failures, because he could never live up to his own expectations. It's both easy to relate to and sad.
Really enjoyed your story! I WISH we had a Tony Stark who was willing to just fund NASA, and I love stories that try to capture (or recapture) wonder in and love of space travel. Also, stories that explore why we might not be so interested in those things anymore. It reminded me of Warren Ellis' "Orbiter" in many ways. You've read that, right? I'm sure. But if by some fluke you haven't, you really should. It's gorgeous and inspiring. And poor Tony having to pretty much kill his baby. Also, great job Will - since I see that you're here! :)
I have to say, though, that in this instance, my favorite story was "Brainchild." Tony Stark as Howard Hughes? Brilliant. Also, I think it captured the overall theme of the entire issue really well. Surprised that one came in the middle, actually.
But, until I'm an editor at Marvel, I guess I get no say in these matters. :)
I like the way Marvel feature the words "Black And White" on the cover in large(ish), friendly letters. Can't have people taking it back to the shop asking where all the colour went to :-)
BTW, I couldn't agree more about Proud Lion - a lovely little comic shop with helpful staff. We need more like that!
Thanks, all. I've told Tony to stay away from Manchester. I've always wanted to write a Man-Thing book, hopefully Giant Sized. Will, you're getting some great online reviews for your work on this. I'm really pleased you got it so much, Iambic and Teresa. I always wondered if there might be a book about what on earth NASA would do in the Marvel universe. And yes, I loved Orbiter. And indeed, in brilliant black and white!
"I always wondered if there might be a book about what on earth NASA would do in the Marvel universe."
WRITE IT!
(Please?)
Well, among other things Marvel NASA was running Project Starcore for a while. Also, in FF #98 we see all the excitement of Apollo 11and the moon landing - which was a little odd since at the start of FF #14 the team are being feted by the world's press for being the first people on the moon in the previous issue.
- Rob Hansen
That's actually what I find so interesting about it. The FF got to the moon first! How irksome would Marvel Universe Neil Armstrong find that? If only there were an audience for something like that.
For what it's worth, I, too, grew up thinking the word was "indominitable." Which it really should be; what's more logical for a word that means impossible to dominate? Never mind how the Romans said it -- "indomitabilis" is just not a model you can take seriously. My Scandinavian ancestors would have said "okuvlig" instead and cut them down while they were still working out their declensions.
If these knee-jerk classicists their way they'll tell you that you can't split infinitives or end sentences with prepositions, just because you can't do it in Latin. Don't give them an inch!
Paul - I'll have to hunt down these reviews, print them out and frame them! Always nice to hear these things.
I enjoyed working from this script. The direction was just enough to get me started and left me with room to tell the visual story. Very welcome change from scripts I've worked with in the past. Sometimes writers forget that it's a collaboration and the illustrator wants to have some fun too with storytelling. lol.
It's even odder than you might think, Paul. In FF #98, a big deal is made of the Apollo 11 moon landing, but a few issues earlier in FF #90-93 the team travel to the Skrull galaxy to rescue the Thing, something at least an order of magnitude more impressive. We know that the superheroes keep some tech back from larger society in the MU - even back in the 60s there were congressional hearing to try and force Tony Stark to provide the design of the Iron Man to the US military. It's a very strange set-up all round.
- Rob Hansen
Paul: Thought I'd say a quick hi before I leave for Glasgow. Additionally. I hope you have a great time at SFX Con. If I hadn't have had this Glasgow Trip on. I'd be right there with you all hanging out and having a blast.
BTW Will: Nice work on the Iron Man comics. Haven't read it yet. But have seen a few preview pages and its definitely on the pull list for my next bulk comics order.
Hey Paul,
Picked up Indomitable Iron Man. Your story reminded me of the Star Trek episode called The Changeling (remember Nomad? Must Sterilize). Awesome!
Quick question, I saw the previews to Strange #4 and Brian and Dane were in a panel. Is that one of the four appearances who hinted at?
Thanks!
It still feels to me like it should be spelled like that. I'll be going with okuvlig from now on. I only have to convince Marvel. Will: I always like to give an artist freedom like that. Rob: that'd be what the title would be about! And actually, no, the Strange appearance wasn't one of those I meant! Hooray, that makes five!