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Overanalyzing Anime
Blog Owner & Lead Writer
The second issue of “Extremis” picks up shortly after the first, Tony meets up with Maya and the two take a trip to an old acquaintances secluded home to ask for advice regarding the stolen “Extremis” formula. Meanwhile, Mallen, endowed with unimaginable strength from the Extremis Serum, raids an FBI Office.
So, to start things off, this issue was incredibly graphic. Which was actually surprising, given the fact that their was no indication that the story would escalate to such a degree. While Mallen wasn’t given very much to do in the last issue, he makes up for it with his display of overwhelming power, solidifying himself as a legitimate threat for our titular hero. While the Iron Man suit is powerful, I cannot imagine a scenario wherein Tony takes him down without some genuine effort on his part. Not only is he ridiculously strong, but he’s also impervious to bullets and can breathe fire. Like, what? I’m excited to see the two battle because I imagine it’ll be one hell of a brawl.
In mentioning the prior display of force from Mallen, I can’t help but again give credit to Granov for his incredible artwork during those scenes. His unique art style makes the carnage all the more realistic, and in so, all the more terrifying. But it wasn’t just the gore that made Mallen so frightening, it was the animalistic look in his eyes as he did it. He not only behaves like a beast, he looked like one too, and I appreciate Granov for illustrating just how monstrous this man is.
Moving away from the action, this issue also served to give us more insight on both Tony and Maya through their old colleague/mentor, Sal (AKA “The Clever Fella”). While not having seen either of them for (what seems like) decades, he has a clear understanding of the issues that are plaguing both of them, and has no problem giving them a hard time about it. It’s interesting watching Tony interact with someone without making an effort to prove he’s the smartest person in the room. Instead, he stays quiet and listens to what Sal has to say, and as a reader it makes you even more attentive because if Tony’s taking the time to let him speak, then what he’s saying must be important. Sal forces Tony and Maya to think about the technologies they create, and even goes so far as to compare the modern day technologies to drugs such as DMT, and he makes a damn compelling argument. Not only that, but he forces Tony to really think not only about the future of the Iron Man suit, but also what other applications the suit could have in the future.
In closing, I turn to the opening pages of this issue, which focused on Tony’s board of directors pushing him towards stepping down as CEO to let someone else take charge.. someone who might be more inclined to start taking military contracts again. Tony is (obviously) vehemently against the idea, and it’s clear that their constant pestering is becoming more than he cares to deal with, especially given the fact that there are plenty of other ways his company can make money that don’t involve manufacturing weapons. I’m curious to see if anything will come of this plot point in future issues.
As we move into the next issue, it is my hope that we get some more information about what exactly the Extremis virus is doing to Mallen. While it has been described as a super soldier serum - much like the one that gifted Steve Rogers with his abilities - but it’s obviously much more than just that. I mean, when’s the last time you’ve seen Captain America breathe fire? Stay tuned for my next review in the next couple of days!
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