This was the first XO in QUITE a while that felt ANYTHING like a story was in its pages. I loved the following him - and those last panels with 18 shots of Darque's slow demise - that was finally writing. It may seem hard to believe, but the art started out even WORSE than the last few comics, but it was effective in telling the story. The armor dies - and probably appropriately. Trying to hold out against Darque would have been draining - and an effective way to over come the connection between the two. Not certain I like the armor melting away - but the story was pretty effective, nonetheless. FINALLY!
The Red Skull again.
The Iron Man story is okay. Melter is a dope, but Tony effectively comes up with a way of defeating him. Not certain if I like the gun set to flesh vs Iron problem, but most of it works okay. The girl shouting I hope Tony's okay - we have a date tonight - was a bit too silly, but otherwise fine. Nothing to write home about, but... The Cap story is okay. Not thrilled how Cap keeps jumping around and somehow getting out of nearly every little trap - and THEN the Red Skull finally lays down the ultimate weapon - the trapped city that will be demolished if Cap refuses to aid all. At least it is tied into the Avengers comic - but still pretty bad.