Ironheart #1 Review: An Extraordinary Black Teenage Girl

Writer: Eve L. Ewing / Artist: Kevin Libranda & Luciano Vecchio / Marvel Comics What is apparent, from the very first panels of Ironheart #1, is that Riri is set to have her most authentic voice to date. The personality and backstory is well known for Riri Williams and Ewing’s pen doesn’t stray from those stone-etched markers. However, the language has more nuance and a sense of identity in it than the version of Riri we were introduced to. Whether it’s quoting Maya Angelou or using localized AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) in discourse with friends or the heat of battle, the shift of the character is noticeable. It isn’t swung like a hammer. Riri isn’t going to look unrecognizable to anyone that has read her in the Invincible Iron Man or Champions runs. But it is the difference between telling the story of an extraordinaire teenage girl who happens to be Black and telling the story of an extraordinary Black teenage girl. Ewing’s story for Riri seems very much planted in the latter and that should be very exciting for those looking for unique stories that don’t play lip-service or just check the box in regards to diversity of characters. As for the story itself, we pick up with Riri back at MIT with her own lab. While the opportunity and access is an amazing one, the story does a good job of identifying what the cost is for all of that opportunity. Whether its who she has to answer to or who she has to let into her space, it highlights the weaknesses that Riri …