Riri Williams has had a rough learning curve when it comes to replacing Iron Man. In this issue she faces her roughest defeat yet against the Will O’the Wisp. The Will O’the Wisp is not a well-known villain, but for an inexperienced hero like Ironheart he is a significant threat. Several times, this series has been about Riri learning how to be a hero, while also dealing with the social media aspect of entering the limelight. Imagine trying to be a superhero and read about your failures on Twitter at the same time.
A part of her lessons as a hero have involved so many different mentors throughout the Marvel world. She’s met Pepper Potts, Sharon Carter, Mary Jane Watson, various other heroes, and her armor’s A.I. the holographic version of Tony Stark. Not many writers can string one issue together with so many different spotlight moments for several different characters like Bendis does. Will O’the Wisp actually looks pretty threatening in the eyes of a rookie hero.
This issue also delves into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s point of view on new heroes and how it handles them. The S.H.I.E.L.D. briefing is used as a clever way to catch new readers up on Riri’s back story and her adventures thus far. Sharon Carter has taken on a matriarchal Nick Fury role with her new role in S.H.I.E.L.D. She has a lot that she could teach Riri, if the two of them could ever get along. Even the holographic version of Tony Stark has developed into a character all unto his own. He is like the original Tony Stark, but seems to have a more parental side.
Stefano Caselli is also doing some great work in this book. The action is dynamic and the smaller moments in character interaction have some great face work. This is a Marvel comic book series at its best; the new story of a hero surrounded by a whole world of already established characters that we know and love. It is books like this that I’m afraid we’ll lose when the Marvel Legacy changes hit their series later this year. They need to get Riri Williams on a team book or a bigger role in the crossover events before she gets lost among the weeds.
Has Riri Williams won you over yet? What books should be on our radar? Let us know in the comments section below!
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