Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
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Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 4/7/2008 8:42:00 AM
From Comics to the Big Screen
Iron Man (PG-13), a live-action movie based on a Marvel Comics superhero, blasts into theaters on May 2, 2008. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and brilliant inventor who is kidnapped by terrorists in Afghanistan. Commanded to build a missile, he instead uses the available resources to create a high-tech suit of armor and escapes. Back in the United States, Stark uncovers a plot to use his technology for evil purposes, dons his now-improved armor, and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. Produced by Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios and directed by Jon Favreau, the movie also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark’s executive assistant, Pepper Potts; Terrence Howard as his best friend, James Rhodes; and Jeff Bridges as the villain, Iron Monger. Check out the official Web site for previews.
Iron Man made his debut in the Marvel Comics Universe in 1963, the result of a collaborative effort among writer/editor Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. With a playboy personality based on Howard Hughes, this character spent much of his career as a member of the superhero team the Avengers, starred in his own comics series, and has also been featured in animated films and TV series. Iron Man was recently given a new look by comic-book artist Adi Granov, who also helped design the suit for the upcoming film. Send readers interested in exploring this hero’s history, the bios and back stories of other comic-book personas, and the entire Marvel Comics Universe to their Web site.
Movie Tie-ins
Several titles featuring movie-image covers are available from HarperCollins. With glossy comic-book-style artwork, power-punching action, and lots of flying debris, A New Hero (PreS–Gr 4) introduces Tony Stark and depicts a bigger-than-life battle between Iron Man and Iron Monger, the villain who has pirated his suit design. In I Am Iron Man! (Gr 1–3), an “I Can Read!” title, the protagonist describes the creation of his amazing suit and highlights some of its abilities. Brief sentences are accompanied by comics-influenced artwork in matted hues.
For older readers, The Junior Novel (Gr 3–6) provides a fast-paced recapping of the movie’s plot and contains eight pages of full-color film photos. The Teen Novelization offers a more fleshed-out version of the story, with an approach and tone suitable for a more mature audience.
Pub Info
Iron Man Movie Tie-ins
JOLLEY, Dan. Teen Novelization. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-06-082198-2.
RAO, Lisa, adapt. I Am Iron Man! illus. by Guido Guidi. HarperTrophy. 2008. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-082193-7.
SULLIVAN, Stephen. The Junior Novel. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-06-082197-5.
VALDO, Marco, adapt. A New Hero. illus. by Marcelo Matere. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. (staplebound). $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-082190-6.
