Book & Movie: IRON MAN

Book and movie this meeting. Either one is optional. We'll meet at Java Jive (coffee shop in the Hilton Hotel downtown) at 6:00 p.m., discuss the book until 6:30 p.m., then those who want to see the movie can adjourn to my condo which is a 2 minute walk away. Beer and cookies will be provided, feel free to bring food or refreshments (but not necessary)... BOOK DESCRIPTION: The book is a graphic novel titled IRON MAN: EXTREMIS (Volume 1). This book was a revival of the cold war version of Iron Man and an attempt to bring the character current. If you haven't read one of these superhero graphic novels, this is a good place to start. The artwork is often breathtaking and the story lines operatic (mind you, I haven't read this one yet). Click here to view the book at Amazon.com (priced from $13.49 new, or from $2.49 used) Book Review - Amazon.com Reader: "Warren Ellis' Extremis storyline is a great Iron Man story that works equally well for people who have never read an Iron Man story before and for people who know every detail of the armored Avenger's story. Cleverly drawing parallels between the origins of Iron Man and the story, Ellis is able to convey a great story that will resonate with everyone. Tony Stark, the man who fills the iron armor, has hit a bit of a rough patch. The public is beginning to turn on Stark Industries due to accusations that Stark is nothing more than an arms dealer. Stark is becoming disillusioned with Iron Man, and he can barely look himself in the mirror anymore. Meanwhile, Maya Hansen, an expert biologist with ties to Stark's past, is horrified to learn that one of her colleagues stole a top secret weapon, sold it to someone, then committed suicide. The weapon is codenamed "Extremis", and it is a form of super-soldier serum, updated for the 20th century. It turns its subject into a nearly indestructable living weapon. When a white supremicist who feels that the government let his family down when he was a child gets injected with Extremis, Maya is forced to call Tony and ask him for help. She doesn't know that Stark is Iron Man; she wants his expertise but she readily accepts when he says that he can contact Iron Man for help. The Extremis-infused terrorist proves a worthy challenge, and Stark realizes that times have changed since he became Iron Man, and his plan of attack must reflect that. In addition to the great story, Adi Granov's art is fantastic, all of the art is both beautiful and expressive. This is a story that anyone can pick up and enjoy. For long time fans, the flashbacks will be an interesting way to compare the past and present, and they will educate newcomers on Iron Man's origins." MOVIE DESCRIPTION: I have yet to meet someone who didn't like this movie. I haven't seen it yet, so I'm looking forward to its September 30th release on DVD. Join us to screen this movie in High Definition / Blu-Ray format. The New York Times says "has the advantage of being an unusually good superhero movie", see the full review here. Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis: "For both comic book fans and those who can't tell the Green Lantern from the Green Arrow, IRON MAN is the type of summer blockbuster whose appeal lasts far beyond the season. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, a billionaire playboy and genius who puts as much effort into chasing skirts as he puts into chasing his next big idea. A trip to Afghanistan to sell weapons quickly devolves into chaos, and Stark finds himself at the mercy of a warlord who wants him to build a missile. Instead, Stark creates a powerful suit of armor, turning him into Iron Man and allowing him to escape. When he returns to America, his assistant Pepper Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow), friend Rhodey (Terrence Howard), and right-hand man Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) all marvel at the change in the man they knew. IRON MAN is the first film to be self-financed by Marvel Studios, and they should be proud of their freshman effort. They didn't take any obvious routes with choosing the cast or crew, and it pays off. Director Jon Favreau, who also has a small role in the film, is best known for directing ELF, but his first action-driven effort is nearly flawless. Casting Downey was gutsy but inspired: this is his first big action picture as well, but the wit he displays in films such as the cult hit KISS KISS, BANG BANG works perfectly for the character of Stark. IRON MAN features nods to its beloved source material, as well as to the classic animated series of the 1960s. But even for the uninitiated, this film provides an interesting entry into the Marvel superhero's universe."