Of all the many lessons comics have to teach us, the most frequently repeated is that cutting-edge scientific research (AKA "mad science") is often way more trouble than it is worth. Maybe comics wouldn't have to warn us about the dangers of science gone wild so much if people would just learn to lay off the test tubes. Science should be left in the capable hands of reasonable professionals, like Bill Nye and Professor Frink, not reckless munitions developers in Marvel's Ultimate universe.
Ultimate Iron Man #1 by Orson Scott Card and Andy Kubert, starts at the very beginning of the life of Iron Man. Actually, it starts even before the beginning. The story takes place years in the past, as Howard Stark begins work on an entirely new kind of armor. The cool thing about this armor is that you just spray it on from an aerosol can and you become invulnerable to almost any trauma, from ice picks to baseball bats. The downside is that it will eat your skin off in three hours.
The skin-eating problem means that Stark needs help, so he enlists the best geneticist he can find. Dr. Maria Cerrera is not only brilliant, she is darn cute too. Being a typical member of the Stark family, Howard is soon smitten with her and love blooms for the future parents of Iron Man. Unfortunately for them, scientific disaster soon rears its ugly head...
Orson Scott Card is a world-renowned, best selling author of science fiction novels, and he really brings his science know-how to this story. A character like Iron Man really needs to be right at the edge of current scientific theory and Ultimate Iron Man definitely is on that edge. The art by Andy Kubert is, as always, gorgeous and exciting. The only possible complaint with this first issue is that we don't actually get to see Kubert's version of Iron Man in action. At least that leaves something to look forward to!
So remember kids, science is awful dangerous but comics can wisely show you the way to avoid disaster. If you want to experience the thrill of experimentation without endangering your friends and loved-ones, pick up Ultimate Iron Man #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.
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