Invincible Iron Man #14 Writer: Matt Fraction / Artist: Salvador Larroca

While reading this issue I couldn't shake the feeling that I had already read it once before. About 75% of the way through it, I finally realized where I had seen this story. The recap page! This issue is just one long summary of what has already happened in World's Most Wanted.

I've enjoyed every issue of this story arc so far, but I didn't want to relive everything quite so soon. Some cool things do happen in this issue, but they always lead to a drawn out recap. Tony meeting up with Crimson Dynamo was funny. Tony going over his entire mission with him was not amusing. Pepper finally getting a super hero name was nice. Pepper retelling her encounter with Norman, which just happened last issue, was highly unnecessary.

The only plot thread that kept my interest was Maria Hill's. Matt Fraction has done a phenomenal job with her and this issue progresses on that. She escapes capture from ordinary men easily and uses the "hide-in-plain-sight" technique great. Also, her method of contacting the Black Widow (Cap's version) was very cool.

Speaking of Black Widow, I never realized how great the Captain America artists drew her until Salvador Larroca got his hands on her. Once again, he makes everyone look emotionally dead and extremely shiny. In Widow's case, he also tries to slut her up by showing her thong in every panel for no reason. Seeing her beautiful depiction in the Captain America series only further illustrates Larroca's shortcomings when it comes to human depictions.

Another shortcoming is Matt Fractions narrative style this issue. Usually he divides the narration between Tony, Pepper, and Maria, but in this issue the narrator tells the story from a third person point of view. Who is speaking? It was a little confusing and caused a little disconnect from the story.

Invincible Iron Man #14 may have been a step back for the story arc, but it still had some cool moments. I can't wait to see what happens between Maria Hill and Black Widow. Also, the tease at the end of the issue strongly suggests a fight with Madame Masque. So if next issue doesn't end up being a giant recap page, it'll be pretty good.