Two words. Iron Man. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a ton of great stuff in today’s 28 Days of Comics, but if you’re anything like me, the first “I” title that jumps to mind is old Shell-head. Today is an absolutely incredible time to catch up on the myriad exploits of Tony Stark and his armored alter-ego. Be it Iron Man, Invincible Iron Man, or even Iron Man: Director of Shield–well, those all start with “I” and thus are on sale today (but Avengers, being an “A” title, is not). But I think if I had to narrow it down to just one tale to recommend, I’d go with Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle.

Many reviewers who are far more talented than myself have spoken to the relevancy and legacy of this particular arc–a feat I will attempt to neither replicate nor improve upon. What I will say is that, social relevancy aside, this is a wonderfully engaging story arc filled with some great Iron Man villain whomping. As a whole it epitomizes the “hidden nemesis revealed!” adventures to be found within the pages of Marvel Comics in the late ’70s. And yes, it also stands amongst the sophomore class of graphic narratives looking to invest their protagonists with “real world” issues and concerns. A good read, and one I continue to enjoy nearly 30 years after its initial release.

Now if drunk, playboy, billionaire-industrialist armored superheroes are not your cup of tea, then you’re probably already asking yourself why you’re reading this blog. But for those of you in the great world of fandom who just don’t like Iron Man, there are a ton of other great reads to be had today as well. How about a smashingly good time with the Incredible Hulk? Or perhaps you’d rather try an adventure of mythical proportions with the Incredible Hercules? And for those of you with a penchant for a darker read, there are two great Dark Horse classics in today’s offerings. Combining sardonic observation and serial killers, The Iguana is a dark and brutal satire intended for a mature audience. And for true aficionados, today is a great chance to pick up the beautifully restored It Rhymes With Lust–considered by many to be the first graphic novel. This is a sophisticated bit of story telling from the ’50s in the noir tradition focusing on corruption, greed, megalomania, and moral ambiguity. A gripping read, and an important piece of comic history. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Author : Andrew@TFAW