5. Pirated

Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Rafa Sandoval

And I thought Plantman was a deep cut. Because, holy heck, is this one a lot deeper.

Also, I apologize for my earlier comment about not seeing Van Lente's particular style in this series, because this is one Fred Van Lente-ass comic book.

Iron Man is hanging out in the deep ocean, investigating the Bermuda Triangle in an attempt to solve its mysteries, and he’s attacked by science pirates. The pirates are led by Commander Kraken, a villain so obscure that I had to look him up, and I’m a man who has strong feelings about Colonel Computron.

Kraken slices off Tony's armor, and STUFFS HIM IN A TORPEDO TUBE TO SHOOT HIM AT A SHIP. That is deeply rad. Tony survives with a severe case of the bends, and has to regain the suit to fix his pressurization. Also, we get a Hydrobase call-out, which is fun. I love this globe-trotting adventurer Iron Man.

Hopefully, the book will continue in this overall direction.