Written Thomas Barichella and Thomas Krajewski
Directed By Stephane Juffe and Phillipe Guyenne
Review by Arsenal

IMAGES

We re-established the Mandarin�s status in �Mandarin�s Quest� and now it�s time to see what�s new with Hammer in �Hostile Takeover.�

As the title implies, it�s Hammer�s time as he buys out Stark International. And, if that were not enough, he cuts off Tony Stark�s stipend so Iron Man is functionally broke.

But both of these ostensible game changers appear to be slow-burning plot lines. Stark doesn�t win back his company or strike oil in �Hostile Takeover.�

No, the main plot of �Takeover� is that Hammer and a platoon of B- and C-list villains kidnap Iron Man, so War Machine and Pepper Potts must rescue him.

�Takeover� does a better job than �Mandarin�s Quest� of setting us up for the latter half of the season while still giving us an entertaining episode. This is, in part, because Hammer�s at least an amusing villain.

(Yes, he delivers a few groaners here. For example, he actually spouts the words �hostile makeover.� But I chuckled at his desire for a talking desk. His frivolity makes him a nice contrast to the other Iron Man villains who take themselves so seriously.)

Also, �Takeover� gives Rhodey and Potts some opportunities to shine. After being reduced to damsel in distress in �Heavy Mettle,� I�m glad that Potts got to show off a little here.

This was not a perfect episode by any means. The script and animation served their purposes but never dazzled. A few lines still caused me to roll my eyes. (Would Rhodey really think French toast would cheer his friend up after a super villain bought out his father�s company?)

Ultimately, this episode�s biggest strength is it gives us an interesting status quo going forward.

Two final notes: I�ll be interested to see if this �broke� Tony subplot actually changes the status quo. For example, Stark talks about how he can�t afford to repair his armor anymore. Well, at least three armors take a beating in this episode and one blows up. However, I suspect we�ll see them shiny and operational in future episodes without any mention of Tony�s poverty.

And, finally, how many rockets can these guys shoot indoors without scratching a wall?