Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle

I bought up a digital copy of this story arc (I believe nine issues in all) based on the fact that it's reviewed on many fan sites as being the definitive Iron Man story. Got to say, it took me almost a month to get through this guy. Why? It's boring. The storyline, among other things, follows Stark's alcohol abuse and how it cripples him - as you can probably determine from the illustration above. But, in all fairness, this really only consumes that last of the nine issues. Even then, it's still weak sause.  

Now, I imagine if any Iron Man buffs stumbled across this post right now I would be instantly chastised for either not understanding or appreciating what these comics stood for. How they make Tony Stark's character more dynamic and interesting. How they give importance to the flawed hero. They were ahead of their time. I agree. This is all true. And for that, I can appreciate them. But, it's like when I get into a Citizen Kane debate with a film purist. Yes, it's an outstanding movie that abounds with ingenuity for its time, completely relaying the groundwork for storytelling... but it can be a very boring and difficult movie to sit though. 

That aside, Demon in a Bottle has some exciting moments where Stark struggles with Hammer who's secretly taken control of his suit, jeopardizing his life and the lives of others. At one point he's even forced to murder a foreign ambassador at the UN in front of the public's eyes. (That part was actually pretty riveting.) Then is captured by Hammer on his floating compound without the use of his suit to save him. My problem is that the story is dated. The characters, clothing, dialogue. It all seems a little trite. And the alcoholism debacle... Eh. They plant seeds to his "addiction" while leading up to the final issue where Stark might be on a morning flight across the country and order a scotch with attendant making some comment under her breath, "But, it's only 10am!" It's a little over-the-top, which, at times, gave me a bit of a chuckle, but ultimately left me bored after only a few minutes of reading. 

So, what do I say to this? I'm glad I'm aware of this "classic" storyline, but clearly didn't find the story or this take on Stark all that compelling. It does seem that Iron Man II did borrow a little bit from Stark's bout with alcohol. If I remember the film right, Stark goes on a bit of a binger when he thinks that he's finally going to die from the shrapnel in his blood. Kind of irks me that if they were to borrow anything from this story, it should have been one internal monologue in particular where Stark first begins to contemplate he has a problem. I'll end with this:

"By definition, a hero is a man who battles against overwhelming odds for a cause, an ideal, or for the lives of the innocents. The cause and ideal may vary with the morning headlines -- while the innocents, in today's world of muddy morality, may ultimately prove to be the guilty. Which leaves but one constant in the definition: That a hero is, above all, a man... A man subject to pressures and responsibilities far beyond those of his peers. Such is a burden that must take its toll, eventually, from even the most valiant warrior. And it is then that the test of a true hero begins."