Iron Man: Something Strange , Vol. 4
I’m always interested when Marvel brings out new all-ages, or child-friendly comics. While interest in the classic superheroes comes 
and goes over the years, there’s always at least a few elementary-age readers who want books about their favorite superheroes and finding titles that are age-appropriate can be a challenge, especially with today’s additional challenges. In 2023, they brought out a new trilogy of Spider-Man chapter book comics by Mike Maihack and they’re continuing the trend this year with a trilogy focused on Iron Man by Dean Hale and Douglas Holgate.
Iron Man loves saving the day and using his tech, but he does not love it when the phones aren’t working… and people start throwing around words like “magic” and “wizard!” When he encounters a strange, octopus-like alien monster, even his suit’s A.I., Franklin, can’t figure it out. Will he have to break down and call in, gulp, a wizard to help? Turns out he doesn’t need to call him – Doctor Strange is already here and ready to chat with the truly massive octopus-space monster that has appeared. But can the two work together to save the day – or will Iron Man let his devotion to tech and competitiveness get in the way of helping others?
Holgate’s art is crisp and contemporary. He keeps the familiar costumes of superheroes, from Iron Man’s suit to appearances by Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man. He even keeps Tony Stark’s iconic facial hair, but gives the art his own unique spin. Stark is a rather weedy little man, who strongly objects to Doctor Strange having a similar mustache. He neatly blends the tech of Iron Man’s suit with the gooey alien creature. With Iron Man in the grip of its green, dripping tentacles, starting at him with its giant, bulging red eye, the suit looks almost like a toy action figure. Readers will also notice a resemblance between the overlays and maps of Iron Man’s suit and the diagrams and flashing lights of Doctor Strange’s magic.
The creators have done a great job keeping the general spirit of the characters – Tony Stark comes off as a rather whiny and immature personality, which is very true to his character – while keeping the comic both appropriate and approachable for younger audiences. A brief resume of Iron Man’s history is included for kids who don’t know it and this will certainly interest them in exploring other characters, both old and new, like Doctor Strange and Ms. Marvel.
Iron Man Something Strange  Vol. 4
By Dean Hale
Art by Douglas Holgate
Abrams, 2025
ISBN: 9781419774591
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11)
