I think I like Larocca’s art this issue than any one in the past. It’s literally a talking head (no one has dialogue except Tony), but Larocca does flashbacks and in these flashbacks, he relies a little less on the flash and just draws.
The issue is a retelling up to now of Tony’s life, except it only makes sense if one’s been reading Invincible Iron Man. Fraction keeps it vague because it’s Tony at an AA meeting. Being Tony is probably one of the most famous people in the world, it’s hard to think he could be anonymous.
That problem shows… Fraction never treats Tony as special, just as a (smart) guy talking.
The writing is all very solid, very professional….
Until the end, when Fraction makes a terrible choice.
He finally has Tony talk with Pepper about their relationship; she’s not even on panel. The scene fails miserably.
I myself liked the deliberately vague utterances by Tony that were in full reveal in the visuals. But definitely not going to convert any newbies…