For those that have not noticed, the big screen movie of Iron Man isn’t the only IM film that is making it’s way to the public. There are two instances where he has made more appearances in the form of videos, one courtesy of Marvel itself, and another of a fan.
The first is a three part installment on Marvel Kids found here: http://www.marvelkids.com/videos These CGI videos feature Iron Man as the primary hero, but also has Spiderman and the Hulk making prominent appearances. The graphics are quite good, about the level of cut scenes in gaming consoles. If you look closely you’ll seem some neat little additions like Stark Tower with the Sentry’s watchtower in the background.
The best thing about this video is not that it is more promotion for Iron Man, but it’s that the writers have shown the ability to get all three heroes personalities down pat, something most of Marvel’s book writers have failed miserably at doing. For the first time in a long time you feel like you’re actually seeing Tony Stark there with his quick witted responses and nonchalant attitude. Spiderman is wise cracking and quirky, and the Hulk, well, smashes. Though made for kids, it was really what the old comics were about and it was refreshing to see something like that again.
Next up we have a fan film from a guy by the name of David Guivant that you can find here with more background information. http://screenrant.com/archives/exclusive-new-iron-man-fan-fil-1274.html (This site is run by Vic Holtreman, who currently runs the Advanced Iron site). This is a very well put together piece with actors who really look the role of the characters. Plus, David did an excellent job of getting the high tech feel down that Iron Man portrays, something that seems to be sorely missing from the character anymore.
If you’ve looked at the links on the side bar, you will see one to Advanced Iron. I frequent this site’s forum under the same name, and in the following thread David himself was nice enough to give some background information on the film and answer some questions people had, and I’m sure would still be willing to do so. This is the best Iron Man forum I have come across on the internet, and would urge people to join and discuss with other long time other man fans, and not just fan boys. You can get some really good in depth and opinionated, but more importantly reasoned arguments on this site.
http://www.advancediron.org/forums/index.php/topic,1238.0.html
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Least Favorite Armors
Now that I’ve gone over my favorite armors, I’ll move on to the next logical step: listing my least favorite armors. This list will include specialty and alternate armors also, and will be the third and final installment for this series. Though there were a lot of Iron Man armors out there, splitting them into three separate entries made the pool pretty shallow. So let’s go tow hat I think are the armors that never should have been for the Golden Avenger.
5) Tin Man / Prometheum 2 Armor Mark III- Jorge Lucas Variant
This rendition of the armor was just plain bad. Looking like hundreds of wielded or connected plates like knight armor instead of magnetized mesh, this monstrosity looked like it was designed with medieval technology more so than modern. The terminator faceplate tried to give off a menacing look, and it was scary, but unfortunately it was scary bad. Oh yeah, and the waist was as wide as the chest, so he looked like a middle-aged football fan with a huge beer gut. Bleh. The only good version of this I saw was Pat Lee’s, which can be found in the bottom right of this blog.
4) S.K.I.N. Armor
I’m not sure I need to explain this one really. Nothing good including the concept, and the most disliked Iron Man artist in recent memory didn’t help things either. Kudos to Mike Ryan when he took over the book for drawing it well enough to make it look “just plain bad” instead of “absolutely horrid”. It was one of the shortest lived armors for a reason.
3) Ultimate Iron Man Armor
I understand that the Ultimates are supposed to look different, but good god. This ugly, low tech, blocky, goggle eyed suit is just embarrassing to look at. It’s more robot than armor and is the least advanced looking suit since the original Grey. They really need to change it, especially the eyes.
2) Every incarnation of the Teen Tony Armor
It followed the theme of the Retro Classic armor: god awful. It changed every issue even after it was completed, and not one ever looked good. Plain, boring and even the guy inside sucked so that was salt in the wound. Though at least we got to see its power in the final issues before Heroes Reborn, and it was somewhat impressive, easily manhandling a sentinel. But it wasn’t enough to make up for the lame design.
1) Retro classic Armor
I’m not sure what was worse for me about this design: that it was just so awful looking or that it followed my favorite armor the Modular. Really, there is nothing good that can be said about this thing, and I still remember all the letters at the end of the issues about people saying how bad it was. While I was never a fan of the classic armor (aesthetically) those that were felt this was a butchering of that design. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. Let me count the ways: the gauntlets, the boots, the rivets, the one piece torso/hip design… well, you get the picture.
5) Tin Man / Prometheum 2 Armor Mark III- Jorge Lucas Variant
This rendition of the armor was just plain bad. Looking like hundreds of wielded or connected plates like knight armor instead of magnetized mesh, this monstrosity looked like it was designed with medieval technology more so than modern. The terminator faceplate tried to give off a menacing look, and it was scary, but unfortunately it was scary bad. Oh yeah, and the waist was as wide as the chest, so he looked like a middle-aged football fan with a huge beer gut. Bleh. The only good version of this I saw was Pat Lee’s, which can be found in the bottom right of this blog.
4) S.K.I.N. Armor
I’m not sure I need to explain this one really. Nothing good including the concept, and the most disliked Iron Man artist in recent memory didn’t help things either. Kudos to Mike Ryan when he took over the book for drawing it well enough to make it look “just plain bad” instead of “absolutely horrid”. It was one of the shortest lived armors for a reason.
3) Ultimate Iron Man Armor
I understand that the Ultimates are supposed to look different, but good god. This ugly, low tech, blocky, goggle eyed suit is just embarrassing to look at. It’s more robot than armor and is the least advanced looking suit since the original Grey. They really need to change it, especially the eyes.
2) Every incarnation of the Teen Tony Armor
It followed the theme of the Retro Classic armor: god awful. It changed every issue even after it was completed, and not one ever looked good. Plain, boring and even the guy inside sucked so that was salt in the wound. Though at least we got to see its power in the final issues before Heroes Reborn, and it was somewhat impressive, easily manhandling a sentinel. But it wasn’t enough to make up for the lame design.
1) Retro classic Armor
I’m not sure what was worse for me about this design: that it was just so awful looking or that it followed my favorite armor the Modular. Really, there is nothing good that can be said about this thing, and I still remember all the letters at the end of the issues about people saying how bad it was. While I was never a fan of the classic armor (aesthetically) those that were felt this was a butchering of that design. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. Let me count the ways: the gauntlets, the boots, the rivets, the one piece torso/hip design… well, you get the picture.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Favorite Specialty Armors
Like I promised, I am doing my five favorite specialty armors. For the sake of variety, and that there isn’t enough to really do two different entries, I will be including alternate universe armors in this selection also. I base my selections on the functionality and appearance of the armor, not so much the impact they had. The next entry will be my least favorite armors.
5) Stealth Armor Marks I and II
The stealth armor was a neat concept, not just because it was made at a time where we didn’t have stealth bombers and fighters, but also because it carried no weapons, forcing Stark to outwit his opponents even more than normal. The black (or blue, it doesn’t seem to be decided really) paint and red eyes and mouth slits further add to the effect of the armor. A job well done.
4) Space Armor Mark I
This was an interesting concept at the time, both aesthetically and functionally. It featured the first mouth-less faceplate and triangular uni-beam design, plus a bulkier build for additional life support and thrusters. It featured nuclear based boot jets to escape the atmosphere and the gauntlets could be launched as grapplers. A very neat design for the time.
3) Hydro Armor
The Hydro armor was a pretty neat design, but what was interesting was the weapons of the suit. To deal with underwater threats, Tony used proven human technology and mixed it with sea creature’s natural defenses like electricity (eels) and ink (squids). While not the most advanced feel, you can immediately tell what it was designed for.
2) Heavy Metal Armor
If you don’t know the armor, it was from the two issue Iron Man – XO Man of War cross over back in the 90’s. Though we didn’t get to see much of this armor’s capabilities, what we did see it seemed to be able to more than hold its own. The design itself was interesting, kind of a mating between the Modular and Retro armor that preceded it, but luckily more of the former. It had a more classic helmet and uni-beam, but had more of a Modular layout with the legs, torso and arms. The gauntlets were a bit odd, but I liked them. If this suit had followed the Modular I wouldn’t have minded.
1) Hulk Buster I
This hulking (pun intended) suit was really an attachment onto the modular armor instead of a stand alone, but it’s enough to be classified as a specialty. Meant to battle the green goliath at his own game, the armor did just that, allowing Stark to deal blow for blow while still maintaining more speed and agility. Personally, I think Iron Man was winning the battle, but since they stopped fighting and started talking, we’ll never know who would have won. The armor itself did look extremely tough with the enhanced legs, arms and shoulders, but I wasn’t a fan of the Juggernaught style helmet. Still, it comes in at #1 for my favorite specialty armors.
5) Stealth Armor Marks I and II
The stealth armor was a neat concept, not just because it was made at a time where we didn’t have stealth bombers and fighters, but also because it carried no weapons, forcing Stark to outwit his opponents even more than normal. The black (or blue, it doesn’t seem to be decided really) paint and red eyes and mouth slits further add to the effect of the armor. A job well done.
4) Space Armor Mark I
This was an interesting concept at the time, both aesthetically and functionally. It featured the first mouth-less faceplate and triangular uni-beam design, plus a bulkier build for additional life support and thrusters. It featured nuclear based boot jets to escape the atmosphere and the gauntlets could be launched as grapplers. A very neat design for the time.
3) Hydro Armor
The Hydro armor was a pretty neat design, but what was interesting was the weapons of the suit. To deal with underwater threats, Tony used proven human technology and mixed it with sea creature’s natural defenses like electricity (eels) and ink (squids). While not the most advanced feel, you can immediately tell what it was designed for.
2) Heavy Metal Armor
If you don’t know the armor, it was from the two issue Iron Man – XO Man of War cross over back in the 90’s. Though we didn’t get to see much of this armor’s capabilities, what we did see it seemed to be able to more than hold its own. The design itself was interesting, kind of a mating between the Modular and Retro armor that preceded it, but luckily more of the former. It had a more classic helmet and uni-beam, but had more of a Modular layout with the legs, torso and arms. The gauntlets were a bit odd, but I liked them. If this suit had followed the Modular I wouldn’t have minded.
1) Hulk Buster I
This hulking (pun intended) suit was really an attachment onto the modular armor instead of a stand alone, but it’s enough to be classified as a specialty. Meant to battle the green goliath at his own game, the armor did just that, allowing Stark to deal blow for blow while still maintaining more speed and agility. Personally, I think Iron Man was winning the battle, but since they stopped fighting and started talking, we’ll never know who would have won. The armor itself did look extremely tough with the enhanced legs, arms and shoulders, but I wasn’t a fan of the Juggernaught style helmet. Still, it comes in at #1 for my favorite specialty armors.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Favorite Armors
If you took the time to peruse Bob Layton’s site like I suggested in my last entry, his one special feature this month are his favorite armors. Since the blog (I really don’t like that word) is still pretty young, I figured it would be another good starting entry as it helps others to get to know what I like some more. So, here are my top five standard Iron Man armors, I will do an entry next on the top five specialty armors.
5) Heroes Reborn / Prometheum Armor
Sometimes called the Grell armor, Tinman armor or even Prometheum 2 armor, this armor too over for the short lived (and rightfully so) SKIN armor. This armor was like a mating between the Prometheum and Neo Classic armors, with it’s more form fitting and detached style. The Mark II (at least by my designation) is the one without the tubes on the legs. I thought it was an interesting concept with the heavy duty feet and large shoulders. Though this armor was written to be quite weak (a building fire over heating it? Are you serious?) in terms of looks it was really cool.
3) Silver Centurion
When I first saw this armor, I was in awe. So much more powerful the previous design (and the greatest leap in power from one suit to another in my mind), the Silver Centurion gave a whole new look to Iron Man both aesthetically and in terms of power. A new color scheme, triangular uni-beam and large shoulder pads made it stick out immediately, and a cloaking device, pulse bolts and new repulsors showed it meant business. It was really a leap ahead in so many ways that it’s never really been tried again.
For first place I actually have a tie between two suits who I cant really make up my mind on.
1) War Machine
5) Heroes Reborn / Prometheum Armor
I know a lot of people don’t like this armor because it was so out there, but I thought it was pretty neat. The smoke stacks were a cool addition, and I thought the thigh-pad things were too. The faceplate had a more “human” feel to it so to speak as it did not have the normal eye slits and a more contoured curvature. It was a lot different look with the tubing base and detached upper layers, but one I think worked. Though this had to be the most non-universally drawn armor ever.
4) Grell / Tinman Armor (Mark II)
Sometimes called the Grell armor, Tinman armor or even Prometheum 2 armor, this armor too over for the short lived (and rightfully so) SKIN armor. This armor was like a mating between the Prometheum and Neo Classic armors, with it’s more form fitting and detached style. The Mark II (at least by my designation) is the one without the tubes on the legs. I thought it was an interesting concept with the heavy duty feet and large shoulders. Though this armor was written to be quite weak (a building fire over heating it? Are you serious?) in terms of looks it was really cool.
3) Silver Centurion
When I first saw this armor, I was in awe. So much more powerful the previous design (and the greatest leap in power from one suit to another in my mind), the Silver Centurion gave a whole new look to Iron Man both aesthetically and in terms of power. A new color scheme, triangular uni-beam and large shoulder pads made it stick out immediately, and a cloaking device, pulse bolts and new repulsors showed it meant business. It was really a leap ahead in so many ways that it’s never really been tried again.
For first place I actually have a tie between two suits who I cant really make up my mind on.
1) War Machine
While it can bee seen as a specialty, the fact that Rhodes wore it after Tony died makes me label it as a regular. But honestly, what is there not to like about this suit? The most menacing looking with it’s faceplate, cold gray and white color scheme and covered with weapons, the War Machine lived up to it’s name. After his old suit got man handled by the Masters of Silence, the War Machine was able to hold off all three, then tore threw everything Justin hammer threw it at. It’s a testament that if Tony wants to go in guns blazing and kick the crap out of something he can.
1) Modular Armor
The thing I loved about it was how modern and advanced it looked. Part of Marvel’s redesigns in the 90’s, the Modular Armor had a lot of neat new design aspects such as the pentagon uni-beam, “pants” look instead of the “underwear and boots” look (the former being light years better than the latter in my opinion), and most of all, no mouth on the faceplate for a menacing look. The concept of replacing the various parts for mission specific ones was a great concept, but sadly never really utilized. This armor was way too short lived, especially seeing it’s replacement. The times we saw this suit in action it did look quite powerful.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Iron Man vs Doctor Doom: Round 3
First, let me apologize for the delay in getting an entry up. I will try to do one a week, but between the computer going into the shop and the holidays it has been severely delayed.
For those that don’t know, Bob Layton and Dave Michelinie, long time Iron Man fans and artist/writers on the book are doing a third (and final) installment of the Iron Man / Doctor Doom Camelot saga’s originally played out in Volume 1 issues 150-151 and 250-251. Both have said they originally planned a third installment, but never had the chance to do it until now, possibly due to the recent surge in Iron Man’s popularity.
The great thing about this saga is that the people helming it are big fans of Iron Man and have written the book before, arguably during one of the best periods of Iron Man comics, so you know you are in for a quality read. Plus, the artist for this book will be long time Marvel artist Ron Lim. (For samples of the upcoming saga please check out bob Layton’s site www.boblayton.com it’s worth while to explore it also). For those that know me from the Advanced Iron boards (under the same name) I am quite peculiar with my art, so it’s rare to see me exciting for an artist to be on board.
For those that are unfamiliar with Lim, he has worked on many Marvel books, including the later issues of Infinity Gauntlet. His art is very clear and concise, and has a “classic” style so to speak, but one that is also detailed and modern. The sample pages on Layton’s site have been rather impressive in my opinion.
So as far as I am seeing things, we are in for a treat with this series. The pages suggest Stark and Doom are once again transported back to Camelot, where they take their respective sides among the legends and battle it out. Whether or not we will get the armored slugfest I have been hoping for since I first read the past encounters, I don’t know. But even if we don’t, I have faith the story will be good enough it isn’t really needed.
For those that don’t know, Bob Layton and Dave Michelinie, long time Iron Man fans and artist/writers on the book are doing a third (and final) installment of the Iron Man / Doctor Doom Camelot saga’s originally played out in Volume 1 issues 150-151 and 250-251. Both have said they originally planned a third installment, but never had the chance to do it until now, possibly due to the recent surge in Iron Man’s popularity.
The great thing about this saga is that the people helming it are big fans of Iron Man and have written the book before, arguably during one of the best periods of Iron Man comics, so you know you are in for a quality read. Plus, the artist for this book will be long time Marvel artist Ron Lim. (For samples of the upcoming saga please check out bob Layton’s site www.boblayton.com it’s worth while to explore it also). For those that know me from the Advanced Iron boards (under the same name) I am quite peculiar with my art, so it’s rare to see me exciting for an artist to be on board.
For those that are unfamiliar with Lim, he has worked on many Marvel books, including the later issues of Infinity Gauntlet. His art is very clear and concise, and has a “classic” style so to speak, but one that is also detailed and modern. The sample pages on Layton’s site have been rather impressive in my opinion.
So as far as I am seeing things, we are in for a treat with this series. The pages suggest Stark and Doom are once again transported back to Camelot, where they take their respective sides among the legends and battle it out. Whether or not we will get the armored slugfest I have been hoping for since I first read the past encounters, I don’t know. But even if we don’t, I have faith the story will be good enough it isn’t really needed.
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