An Excellent First Arc Closes In Ironheart #5
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
Ironheart was just soundly defeated by Midnight’s Fire, but that doesn’t mean that Riri is going to roll over and give up. After cleaning her garage lab, Ironheart begins tracking her friend, Daijia. Riri finds her in a basement underneath an abandoned apartment building. She also finds Thomas Birch, the city council candidate. Things only get more complicated from there.
Ironheart #5 brings the first major arc of the series to a close. Daijia’s initial disappearance, Midnight’s Fire, and the string of petty thefts being carried out by children across Chicago are all explained.
It’s also a far more forward-moving and exciting issue than Ironheart #4. The comic is pushing onward from the start, and Riri is undeterred and eager to get to the bottom of what’s ailing Chicago and her friend.
The climax of the comic is taut and full of action, and it’s quite emotional in parts too. Daijia, Riri, and the child thieves all have quite a tragic story, and people are making sure Chicago is full of such sad stories.
Also, Ironheart and Midnight’s Fire have another rematch.
Luciano Vecchio’s artwork continues to serve the book especially well. The action scenes look great, especially this rematch showdown between Ironheart and Midnight’s Fire. Both Riri and Midnight Fire’s costumes are quite excellent throughout. The emotional expression and drama is communicated viscerally in the most pitch scenes. Matt Milla boosts it all with a gorgeous color palette that is both vivid and well-contrasted.
Ironheart #5 is good finale to this first story arc for Riri’s solo series. The story threads are tied up well, but there’s enough to lead the comic into future stories. Riri continues to be a wonderful protagonist, and the artwork of Vecchio and Milla do great visual work. Eve L. Ewing brings Ironheart to life with excellent dialogue and compelling actions. This one gets a recommendation. Check it out.
Ironheart #5 comes to us from writer Eve L. Ewing, artist Luciano Vecchio, layouts from Geoffo, color artist Matt Milla, letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles, and cover artist Amy Reeder.
