Invincible Iron Man #12

Fraction is writing a "tear 'im down then build 'im up" story. This issue is approximately chest deep in the "tear 'im down part". Tony' still on the run and Osbourne is still chasing. This episode is arguably the most exhilarating of the arc. Now holed up in his many facilities, this one located deep below the surface of the atlantic ocean, Tony tweaks a backup armor. Ah but Norman has connections. Enter Namor who interject's Tony's musings on his decreasing IQ. Bif! Bam! Pow! A super fun brawl ensues, replete with hilarious banter and stunning visuals. The hero barely escapes using his fading wits and cunning. Fraction's smart to extract as much visual excitement from his character. This is Iron Man! So he has Namor destroy the current suit so that Tony must escape in the "deep sea" variation of "the" Iron Man. Sal does it justice! Damn the guy can draw mech! Speaking of...

The main "Tony on the run" plot is inter-cut with "Iron Maiden's" awesomely entertaining on-the-field training exercise (I'm calling her Iron Maiden despite copyright laws. Screw you "law"!) Jarvis helps her out a little and she does great. Averting not one but TWO disasters! Alas, H.A.M.M.E.R brings her in! Screw you Norman!

Meanwhile, Maria "you so hot!" Hill tries to save the people off of which the Controller "feeds" - cool/creepy villain, new to me. Unfortunately, a disturbing horde of "zombies" subdues her and brings her to Controller to be enslaved. Screw you Controller!

Fraction made me love these characters in the issues previous and now he's put them on a limb and started sawing. Invincible Iron Man is now officially more awesome than frozen bananas!