i finally figured out what makes the current iron man run still technically ic while also being dull as dirt and shallow as hell, and it's really simple: duggan's basically copied bob layton's formula for storytelling, but the problem is while it's is technically ic, it lacks the spark (and passion if you want me to be real) of layton's stretch, because where duggan is writing what is, once again, the little caesers of iron man runs, it's clear he hasn't really tried to get into tony's head or understand his motivations, he's just going through the motions and following that formula with all the dispassion of a high school student doing a geometry proof, you feel me? he doesn't really care, and he doesn't have layton's talent, and it shows.
the framework is there, but he's writing characters that are way, way beyond his skill level, and while he manages a good moment every three issues, a good run this does not make. being better than slott and cantwell is not ringing praise, if you know what i mean and i think you do.
