Scott's Take: Iron Man Vol 1: A New Nightmare by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Carmen Carnero and Juann Cabal

Iron Man Vol 1: A New Nightmare by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Carmen Carnero and Juann Cabal is the latest relaunch of the Iron Man series. So new status quo and new creative team.

 

As this begins, Iron Man is in a late-night tryst with the villain Madam Masque. He, for some inexplicable reason, thought it was a good idea to tell her that his worst fear is that someone could recreate the situation that turned him into Iron Man. Madam Masque, years later, decides to use the information against him. She decides to kidnap a bunch of genius years that have been picked by Stark as being the future of Earth. Her plan is to have the brilliant minds create a new Iron Man for A.I.M.  (a mad scientist terror group). That means that the real Iron Man is forced into trying to save while also dealing with the consequences of his decisions.

 

There is also someone working in the shadows against him. Someone who wants revenge. That’s the plot of first five issues.

 

Then, in the sixth and final issue of this first series, Spider-Man guest stars while trying to diffuse a situation between Norman Osborn and Tony Stark. They are in some sort of conflict over the Iron Patriot Armor. Someone is trying to make them throw down while Spider-Man just came by for a bagel. Will Spidey stop their fight? Will he get his bagel?

 

This is action packed adventure with Tony facing tech that he forgotten about such as his old Hellicarrier. The art is great. Tony is well written and is allowed to be a multifaceted character. There are several short hero cameos including Captain America being disappointed in Tony for his pillow talk. It is also weird how Spider-Man is also a better character as a guest star now than in his own books.

 

The ending tease does not bode well for Tony and his future. I am eagerly looking forward to Volume 2. I read this as individual issues through Marvel Unlimited as the trade won’t be out until late October. I also recommend most of Joshua Williamsons various Superman runs too if you are looking for a good Superman book.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4hoo4t2

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026