THE 12 DAYS OF GEEKNESS - DAY TWELVE
(BEST SEEN IRONICALLY LARGE...)
THE TWELFTH DAY
On the twelfth day of Geekness
My fan girl gave to me
Twelve armours arming
Eleven snipers sniping
Ten lords a-peeing
Nine ladies lurching
Eight blades a-filking
Seven zombies zooming
Six beasts a-baying
Five golden rings
Four falling birds
Three henchmen
Two turtle bros'
And a part bridge of Khazad-dûm
-------------------------------------------------------------------
For the final piccy in this sequence I thought that I needed a (Tony) Starkmass tree, especially since the new movie is out this May. Well, there you go, no Geekness season worth its salt would be complete for me without a healthy dose of Irony! Of course, Geekness, unlike merely religious based holidays, is an open ended feast, kept perpetual by sales, television and movie tie-in releases, birthday treats, comfort toy binges, windfall money and credit card blitzes.
Speaking of Iron Man 2, there's at least four new I.M armour variants in the film...whew! Also: cor!!
But for now, in this picture, 12 classic bits of Starktech...
ROW ONE (BOTTOM)
NOTE 1 - Model 14 Iron Man "Hulkbuster" Armour, as seen in the Iron Man Volume 1/ 305, 1994 comic. Marvel Legends Series II Legendary Riders. 2006 Toy Biz. 20 cm (8 Inch). One of my favourite variants, this exo-frame is able to lift 175 tons. "Hulk smash puny metal man...uh, maybe not!"
ROW TWO (SECOND FROM BOTTOM), LEFT TO RIGHT
NOTE 2 - Model 8 Iron Man "Silver Centurion" Armour, as seen in Iron Man Volume 1 #200, 1985 comic. Marvel Legends Series 7. 2004 Toy Biz. 16 cm (6 1/2 Inch). The 'power' shoulders and practical back mounted utility pod were cool, as was the red and silver colour scheme.
NOTE 3 - Model 30 Iron Man "Extremis Armour", first seen in Iron Man Volume 4 #5, 2006 comic. Diamond Select 2008. 19 cm (7 1/2 inch). Tony Stark's always been beyond the cutting edge when it comes to technology but when he took the "Extremis" 'virus' and acquired actual 'super' powers it unsettled many long term fans. And yet, cyborg implants and nano-technology ARE valid speculative subjects for futurism, and even though Stark has purged "Extremis" the character cannot help but continuously duel with the interface between man and machine.
NOTE 4 - Model 23 Iron Man "Thorbuster" Armour, first seen Iron Man Volume 3 #64, 2003 comic. Marvel Legends Series 15. 2006 Toy Biz. 18 cm (7 1/2 Inch). You have to wonder that Tony Stark has all these armours stashed away that are custom designed to battle other Marvel superheroes! This one was designed to challenge the God of Thunder himself, and is powered by a mystical Asgardian crystal.
NOTE 5 - Model 1 Iron Man "Ultimate" Armour, first appeared in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up Issues #4, 2002 comic. Series 1. 2006 Hasbro. 16 cm (6 Inch). Slightly Manga-ish take on the Iron Man armour featured in the popular ongoing "Ultimates" alterate Marvel comics universe series.
SECOND ROW FROM BOTTOM (Left to Right)
NOTE 6 - Model 21 Iron Man "Modern" Armour, first seen in Iron Man Volume 3 #50. 2002 comic. Marvel Legends Series 18. Toy Biz 2005. 16 cm (6 Inch). A suit that looks better in the comics than in plastic. The heat radiating fins on the back of the toy (if that's what they are!) are kind of interesting but the toy, both in this scale and also in the larger Icons series looks pretty awkward.
NOTE 7 - Model 1 Iron Man "First Appearance" (Grey) Armour, as seen in Tales Of Suspense #34, 1963 comic. Marvel Legends Series 14. Toy Biz 2006. 17 cm (6 1/2 Inch). Old 'Number One", Tony's very first tin tux, cobbled together in a storage shed in Vietnam by him and Professor Ho Yinsen, at least according to the original continuity.
NOTE 8 - Model CE1 Iron Man "Prometheum - Heroes Reborn" Armour, seen in Iron Man Volume 2 #1, 1996 comic. Hasbro Ares Series 2008. 16 cm (6 inch). Technically speaking, another alternate universe variant suit, but rather distinctive with its 'roped' muscle cables and back mounted energy emitters. Apparently they can actually emit steam..or plasma bursts!
THIRD ROW FROM BOTTOM (Left To Right)
NOTE 9 - Model 13 Iron Man "Modular" Armour, seen in Iron Man #300, comic. Toy Biz "Face-Off" Series 2 . Toy Biz 2006. 14 cm (6 inch). Although Tony's other suits are frequently custom tailored for specific missions the Modular Armour was designed as a platform upon which a wide range of specialised mission pods could be swapped.
NOTE 10 -Model 4 Iron Man "Classic" Armour, first seen in Tales Of Suspense #66, 1965 comic. Marvel Legends Series 1. Toy Biz 2002. 16 cm (6 Inch). This neatly sculpted and articulated action figure and indeed the armour it's based on remain high on most Iron Fan's list of favourites. Me too!
FOURTH ROW FROM BOTTOM (Left To Right)
NOTE 11 -Movie Mark III Iron Man Armour. Hasbro 2008. 16 cm (6 inch). Tony's state-of-the-Stark armour from the first movie.
TOP ROW
NOTE 12 - Model 1 Iron Man "Golden Avenger" (Gold variant), first seen Tales Of Suspense #40, 1963 comic. Marvel Legends Series 14. Toy Biz 2006. 17 cm (6 1/2 Inch). Why did Tony add gold to his armour's colour scheme? Well, there are many 'retcon' explanations but originally it was because his grey armour scared some civilians...
“GREAT SCOTT! I NEVER NOTICED IT BEFORE..BUT MY APPEARANCE TERRIFIES WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS IF I WERE A MONSTER!”
“ I MUST REMEMBER TO ALTER MY COSTUME SO I DON’T LOOK LIKE A WALKING NIGHTMARE!”
It's a female friend of Tony's who chose gold..
“WELL, HE BATTLES MENACES LIKE A HERO IN OLDEN TIMES! SO, IF HE’S A MODERN KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR WHY DOESN”T HE WEAR GOLDEN METAL INSTEAD OF THAT AWFUL DULL GREY ARMOUR? THEN WHEN PEOPLE SEE HIS GOLDERN ARMOR, THEY WON’T PANIC! THEY’LL KNOW HE HAS A HEART OF GOLD AND AN APPEARANCE TO MATCH HIS GOLDEN DEEDS!”
One quick spraypaint job later...
“WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE! LEAVE IT TO A WOMAN TO FIGURE OUT AN ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE! THE ONLY ONES WHO NEED FEAR ME NOW ARE MY FOES!”
The rest is history...with the red contrasting scheme being attributed to everything from Tony's school colours to his beloved hot rod automobile.
The support structure Hulkbuster is holding is cobbled together from assorted stands from Iron Man toy sets.
Oh, and by the way, if you've endured this whole photoset and filksong, then good for you!
Uh, and sorry, I seem to have unwrapped ALL the toys under the tree!
THE 12 DAYS OF GEEKNESS - DAY TWELVE
(BEST SEEN IRONICALLY LARGE...)
THE TWELFTH DAY
On the twelfth day of Geekness
My fan girl gave to me
Twelve armours arming
Eleven snipers sniping
Ten lords a-peeing
Nine ladies lurching
Eight blades a-filking
Seven zombies zooming
Six beasts a-baying
Five golden rings
Four falling birds
Three henchmen
Two turtle bros'
And a part bridge of Khazad-dûm
-------------------------------------------------------------------
For the final piccy in this sequence I thought that I needed a (Tony) Starkmass tree, especially since the new movie is out this May. Well, there you go, no Geekness season worth its salt would be complete for me without a healthy dose of Irony! Of course, Geekness, unlike merely religious based holidays, is an open ended feast, kept perpetual by sales, television and movie tie-in releases, birthday treats, comfort toy binges, windfall money and credit card blitzes.
Speaking of Iron Man 2, there's at least four new I.M armour variants in the film...whew! Also: cor!!
But for now, in this picture, 12 classic bits of Starktech...
ROW ONE (BOTTOM)
NOTE 1 - Model 14 Iron Man "Hulkbuster" Armour, as seen in the Iron Man Volume 1/ 305, 1994 comic. Marvel Legends Series II Legendary Riders. 2006 Toy Biz. 20 cm (8 Inch). One of my favourite variants, this exo-frame is able to lift 175 tons. "Hulk smash puny metal man...uh, maybe not!"
ROW TWO (SECOND FROM BOTTOM), LEFT TO RIGHT
NOTE 2 - Model 8 Iron Man "Silver Centurion" Armour, as seen in Iron Man Volume 1 #200, 1985 comic. Marvel Legends Series 7. 2004 Toy Biz. 16 cm (6 1/2 Inch). The 'power' shoulders and practical back mounted utility pod were cool, as was the red and silver colour scheme.
NOTE 3 - Model 30 Iron Man "Extremis Armour", first seen in Iron Man Volume 4 #5, 2006 comic. Diamond Select 2008. 19 cm (7 1/2 inch). Tony Stark's always been beyond the cutting edge when it comes to technology but when he took the "Extremis" 'virus' and acquired actual 'super' powers it unsettled many long term fans. And yet, cyborg implants and nano-technology ARE valid speculative subjects for futurism, and even though Stark has purged "Extremis" the character cannot help but continuously duel with the interface between man and machine.
NOTE 4 - Model 23 Iron Man "Thorbuster" Armour, first seen Iron Man Volume 3 #64, 2003 comic. Marvel Legends Series 15. 2006 Toy Biz. 18 cm (7 1/2 Inch). You have to wonder that Tony Stark has all these armours stashed away that are custom designed to battle other Marvel superheroes! This one was designed to challenge the God of Thunder himself, and is powered by a mystical Asgardian crystal.
NOTE 5 - Model 1 Iron Man "Ultimate" Armour, first appeared in Ultimate Marvel Team-Up Issues #4, 2002 comic. Series 1. 2006 Hasbro. 16 cm (6 Inch). Slightly Manga-ish take on the Iron Man armour featured in the popular ongoing "Ultimates" alterate Marvel comics universe series.
SECOND ROW FROM BOTTOM (Left to Right)
NOTE 6 - Model 21 Iron Man "Modern" Armour, first seen in Iron Man Volume 3 #50. 2002 comic. Marvel Legends Series 18. Toy Biz 2005. 16 cm (6 Inch). A suit that looks better in the comics than in plastic. The heat radiating fins on the back of the toy (if that's what they are!) are kind of interesting but the toy, both in this scale and also in the larger Icons series looks pretty awkward.
NOTE 7 - Model 1 Iron Man "First Appearance" (Grey) Armour, as seen in Tales Of Suspense #34, 1963 comic. Marvel Legends Series 14. Toy Biz 2006. 17 cm (6 1/2 Inch). Old 'Number One", Tony's very first tin tux, cobbled together in a storage shed in Vietnam by him and Professor Ho Yinsen, at least according to the original continuity.
NOTE 8 - Model CE1 Iron Man "Prometheum - Heroes Reborn" Armour, seen in Iron Man Volume 2 #1, 1996 comic. Hasbro Ares Series 2008. 16 cm (6 inch). Technically speaking, another alternate universe variant suit, but rather distinctive with its 'roped' muscle cables and back mounted energy emitters. Apparently they can actually emit steam..or plasma bursts!
THIRD ROW FROM BOTTOM (Left To Right)
NOTE 9 - Model 13 Iron Man "Modular" Armour, seen in Iron Man #300, comic. Toy Biz "Face-Off" Series 2 . Toy Biz 2006. 14 cm (6 inch). Although Tony's other suits are frequently custom tailored for specific missions the Modular Armour was designed as a platform upon which a wide range of specialised mission pods could be swapped.
NOTE 10 -Model 4 Iron Man "Classic" Armour, first seen in Tales Of Suspense #66, 1965 comic. Marvel Legends Series 1. Toy Biz 2002. 16 cm (6 Inch). This neatly sculpted and articulated action figure and indeed the armour it's based on remain high on most Iron Fan's list of favourites. Me too!
FOURTH ROW FROM BOTTOM (Left To Right)
NOTE 11 -Movie Mark III Iron Man Armour. Hasbro 2008. 16 cm (6 inch). Tony's state-of-the-Stark armour from the first movie.
TOP ROW
NOTE 12 - Model 1 Iron Man "Golden Avenger" (Gold variant), first seen Tales Of Suspense #40, 1963 comic. Marvel Legends Series 14. Toy Biz 2006. 17 cm (6 1/2 Inch). Why did Tony add gold to his armour's colour scheme? Well, there are many 'retcon' explanations but originally it was because his grey armour scared some civilians...
“GREAT SCOTT! I NEVER NOTICED IT BEFORE..BUT MY APPEARANCE TERRIFIES WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS IF I WERE A MONSTER!”
“ I MUST REMEMBER TO ALTER MY COSTUME SO I DON’T LOOK LIKE A WALKING NIGHTMARE!”
It's a female friend of Tony's who chose gold..
“WELL, HE BATTLES MENACES LIKE A HERO IN OLDEN TIMES! SO, IF HE’S A MODERN KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR WHY DOESN”T HE WEAR GOLDEN METAL INSTEAD OF THAT AWFUL DULL GREY ARMOUR? THEN WHEN PEOPLE SEE HIS GOLDERN ARMOR, THEY WON’T PANIC! THEY’LL KNOW HE HAS A HEART OF GOLD AND AN APPEARANCE TO MATCH HIS GOLDEN DEEDS!”
One quick spraypaint job later...
“WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE! LEAVE IT TO A WOMAN TO FIGURE OUT AN ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE! THE ONLY ONES WHO NEED FEAR ME NOW ARE MY FOES!”
The rest is history...with the red contrasting scheme being attributed to everything from Tony's school colours to his beloved hot rod automobile.
The support structure Hulkbuster is holding is cobbled together from assorted stands from Iron Man toy sets.
Oh, and by the way, if you've endured this whole photoset and filksong, then good for you!
Uh, and sorry, I seem to have unwrapped ALL the toys under the tree!