One-sentence summary: Now overshadowed by the Invincible Iron Man line, Director of SHIELD continues to deliver quality Iron Man stories in a character-appropriate format.
I've always liked Iron Man, but over the last few years his character has changed so significantly that he's actually a pretty unique character. Sure, he's got his super-hero cliches, but I don't think any true hero presents as many moral difficulties as Iron Man -- maybe Batman, but even then it's a contest. These moral difficulties are often tied up in personality issues, which adds a level to it all. Iron Man is the modern hero -- troubled, efficient, torn, busy, technology, frantic, putting work above self, etc.
That being said, I think the this story arc has been great for that. For one thing, we have Tony split between two different events, each requiring his assistance. Again, it's a strength and a weakness that, even as the director of SHIELD, he makes sure that it's him that has to handle everything. In addition to that, it forces the reader to follow things, in some regard, from Iron Man's perspective. We're split between these two events, unable to solve either of them as they're abandoned in order to deal with the more emergency priority of the other.
It's an interesting way to tell a story, and I hope it pays off. I've really enjoyed following Iron Man for awhile, and that continues to be true. The direction Warren Ellis set him on years ago continues to hold true, continues to create him as this modern superhero, who's not an antihero but certainly has villainous qualities. Gosh I like Iron Man. I'll stop now.
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