Power Man and Iron Fist Issue 2

Written by Fred Van Lente
Penciled by Wellington Alves (pgs. 1-9, 21-22)
& Pere Perez (pgs. 10-20)

The saga continues as Victor Alvarez and Danny Rand are inching closer to finding those behind the murder of Crimebuster. Alvarez as the new Power Man is still finding himself as a student while the Iron Fist is still questioning why he took on a student. Ironically, Iron Fist notes that Alvarez was no where near as bad as the original Power Man, Luke Cage, when they began Heroes for Hire.

What I like best about the story is that Alvarez has to keep his secret identity from his family. They have to lie to people and explain that the reason why Alvarez is able to pay for a nice apartment for his family and attend a nice private school is because of a grant from the Rand Foundation. However, Alvarez is earning his keep by being Power Man. Many people question his politics even though he is actually working for a living.

When I read how the artwork was being done, I was a bit disappointed. However, it worked since Pere Perez' work reminds me of an early Alan Davis. I am glad this is a five issue limited series and hope that it becomes a regular series.

The All New, All Different Power Man and Iron Fist #1

Most of us met Victor Alvarez, the new Power Man, during the Shadowland cross over when Daredevil became the head of the Hand and used this ancient organization to rid NYC of crime in the aftermath of Norman Osborn's Dark Reign. He is Iron Fist's newest student/ward. In the tradition of the original Power Man, Iron Fist continues the Heroes for Hire venture and Alvarez becomes the newest partner.

It's the usual story, level headed and disciplined teacher and the hot headed, inexperienced young student. Add the fact that the student is black and the teacher is lily white and the fact that Alvarez is literally invincible and you can have a limited series that is as unpredictable as can be.

I can't get enough of Wellington Alves' pencils. He makes the bad guys look scary. He doesn't overdo the superheroe's physiques either. His covers are usually choice (check the ones he did for Shadowland). The first issue is just to early to see where the story is heading but I am sure it is going to be big. Fred Van Lente is using the backdrop of several minor villains and superheroes. He is even bringing back some old characters from the original Power Man and Iron Fist.

I really can't wait to read the rest of the series. I do hope that it either morphs into a regular series or we see them play more of a role in the New Avengers. And yes, I am digging Iron Fist's new white costume.