Ultimate Comics Iron Man #1

The opening chapter of this four-part limited series sets a quietly intense tone right from Frank Stockton's cover, which frames Tony Stark's face reflected within the open Iron Man helmet suspended above him — cables and wiring threading through a dim, organic-looking background as the arc reactor glows at his chest. It's an image that asks real questions about the man inside the machine, and with Nathan Edmondson writing and Matteo Buffagni on art, the creative team brings a thoughtful sensibility to Marvel's Ultimate universe. A compelling start for anyone curious about this corner of Iron Man's world.