Weekend Reading: Iron Man, Modesty Blaise and Honey West

So did you see Iron Man 2 yet? Did you, huh, did you? Two things amaze me about the Iron Man franchise. One is that Robert Downey, Jr. was born to play Tony Stark. There’s none of the brooding self-importance that comes with other super-hero movies - Iron Man is serious but it’s also fun. The other is that in the right hands - and there are hundreds of right hands on any movie - even a second or third tier super-hero property can be turned into a good movie. If Downey, Jr. was playing Hank Pym in the Ant-Man movie, I’d be there in a minute.

Now while you’re saving your money for the Iron Man 2 DVD, here are a few fun things to occupy your eyes and mouse.

Brian Hibbs: I know why people, myself included, like to talk to artists and writers because it’s all so cool, but I think more interviews could be conducted with retailers since they are the comic book business. Retailer Brian Hibbs is a very smart guy - I may not always agree with him but he carries a good argument with him and he knows his business. Tom Spurgeon at Comics Reporter gets to the heart of the matter with a lengthy but hugely worthwhile interview.

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Mayhem #1: Tyrese Gibson & Tone Rodriguez

I think of the comic book industry like a quirky town, and I love it when the new people show up. I love it when the big money types walk in - the Teknos people and the Virgins and the Crossgens. Come on in, boys and girls - bring your cash and hire my friends.

I think it’s great when book people show up - either authors (like Michael Chabon and Jonathan Lethem) who long to write a few comics or executives who are curious about leaving the musty book world for a dip in the superhero pool. And I really love it when actors pop up, and either lend their name to a comic or take a more active role.

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