Favorite Animated Iron Man Design?

[Stu]

Hey,

Over the course of Marvel animation, we've had several oppertunities to see various different takes on the numerous Marvel characters, each with thier own visual representation of the heroes and villains of the Marvel universe.

Due to the various different suits of armour Iron Man has adorned over the years, we've seen a hell of a lot of different suits animated by different shows and DTVs. Here's a small peek at a few of his armours.

http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman/episode/andtheseashallgiveupitsdead/16.jpg
Iron Man: Season One

http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman/episode/helpinghand/12.jpg
Iron Man: Season Two

http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/bios/heroes/ironman/06.jpg
Spider-Man: The Animated Series

http://marvel.toonzone.net/fanfourtas/cameos/12.jpg
Fantastic Four

http://marvel.toonzone.net/mafeatures/ultavengers/bios/ironman/06.jpg
Ultimate Avengers
Images Appear Courtesy of Marvel Animation Age (http://marvel.toonzone.net)

Comments?

[S.C.B]

Iron Man season 2. It had the sleekest look, and I've never been a fan of the 'red underpants over yellow legs' look - it makes him look a bit laughable because of the bright colours.

Also, it's difficult for me to look impartially at the designs without thinking of the characters behind them. Season 2's Iron Man felt like a real person to me, and was by far the best version of him, armour included.

[Marc]

I really liked the Ultimate Avengers suit and I thought it was much better looking than the Ultimates comic book version.

That said, aside from the Ultimate one, I've never actually seen any of these designs in action. In fact, I never even knew there was an Iron Man cartoon before! Go figure.

Going by these screenshots, I'll agree with S.C.B by saying the "season two" looks the sharpest. I prefer a circular shape on the center of the chest plate and I don't care for the "abs", but I really like the way the shoulders and chest look, and I especially like the helmet.

- Marc

[screw on head]

I have a soft spot for the Season 2 Iron Man armor, but I also really enjoy how functional the Ultimate Avengers outfit is.

I really love the colors used on the Season 2 armor. The red is a really cool shade... it's not too bright and that rusty, darkened look really plays well off the golden deep yellow sections. I've gotta say this is still one of my favorite Iron Man designs ever, in animation or comics.

The Ultimate Avengers costume is definately my second favorite from the animated adaptions. He animates surprisingly well in the film, must say. I really like the light blue 'glows' on his armor, that works really well. I really like that there's hinges at his joints... not only is it in line with Steve Gordon's design style, both in the look and practicality that comes with his designs, but it also acts as a reminder that there's circuits and machinery working inside that outfit.

[Sage Shinigami]

I gotta say, I like the look of the Season one Shellhead armor the best.

[Stu]

I really liked the Ultimate Avengers suit and I thought it was much better looking than the Ultimates comic book version.

That said, aside from the Ultimate one, I've never actually seen any of these designs in action. In fact, I never even knew there was an Iron Man cartoon before! Go figure.

It's not too surprising you've never heard of it, it was a syndicated show that didn't last too long, unfortunatly. The first season was a dreadful, Superfriends style show featuring Iron Man and Forceworks continously batting The Mandarin and a host of Iron Man villains, such as Blizzard, Whirlwind, The Grey Gargoyle etc - your typical action figure inspired nonsense aimed at a low demographic.

The show recieved a major revamp in season two, and featured Iron Man after his bitter breakout with his former pals Forceworks, after they'd decided they'd had enough of his lone wolf attitiude and his obsessive desire to do thing his own way. The season basically had a tortured Tony Stark trapped in his own armour, and to be honest, it's one of the best cartoons you'll ever see. It also spent the entire season building up the return of The Mandarin, who had come a long way from the laughable villain from season one.

It seems to be heavily based on David Michellin's run from the late 80's and even features a few translations of his stories, such as The Armour Wars. Unfortunatly, none of the episodes are available on DVD, and it doesn't air on TV (and hasn't in quite some time) so it would be very difficult to track down. It's worth it if you can find it though. You can find more info at my Iron Man Site (http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman)

To anwser the original question, I'm torn. I love the season two design, but I think there's something especially cool about his Ultimate Avengers suit. I love the way the suit looks like a piece of high-tech machinary, and for some reason, I absoloutly adore the way it lights up. I'd probably give it to the TV show in the end, which is still the very best version of Iron Man to me.

[Conekiller]

The current Marvel Mangaverse version (not techincally animated, but sinc the book aspires to homage/parody anime styles ans sensibilities, I feel I must include it)

after that Ultimate Avengers.

[Jon T]

To anwser the original question, I'm torn. I love the season two design, but I think there's something especially cool about his Ultimate Avengers suit.

Yes, for me too it's essentially a toss-up between both armors (although unlike yourself I do kind of like the retro-vibe from Iron Man's final suit in 'Hands of the Mandarin'!).

That's why I was very disappointed to hear that IM's suit is being redesigned to be a lot simpler in Ultimate Avengers 2; it just looked appropriately functional as it was! 90s Iron Man season 2 still managed to have a very sleek-looking armor that didn't look too stylized, so that one has its appeal to me too.

I did notice you omitted one armor Stu, but that was probably because you knew no one would opt for that one as their favorite!

[Stu]

Yes, for me too it's essentially a toss-up between both armors (although unlike yourself I do kind of like the retro-vibe from Iron Man's final suit in 'Hands of the Mandarin'!).

I always thought the mouth piece made him look really dumb founded. Plus, I really like the way the original season two armour had that red part over his lower jaw, the return of the mouth piece wasn't welcome in my eyes! For those who haven't seen the episode, here's a look at the anti-technology armour.

http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman/episode/handsmandarin2/25.jpg

That's why I was very disappointed to hear that IM's suit is being redesigned to be a lot simpler in Ultimate Avengers 2; it just looked appropriately functional as it was! 90s Iron Man season 2 still managed to have a very sleek-looking armor that didn't look too stylized, so that one has its appeal to me too.

Whilst I'll wait until I've seen something other than a rough storyboard, I'm still inclined to agree. The torso piece looks a little more simplistic than I'd like it to, but I'll wait to see it in action.

I did notice you omitted one armor Stu, but that was probably because you knew no one would opt for that one as their favorite!

I couldn't find an image of it! I've seen bits of the episode Shooting Stars I believe it's called... that right? I don't think I made it until the end. With no season 2 armour and the lack of Robert Hayes (cheaper Canadian voices, no doubt) I quickly lost interest.

I couldn't find an image from the 60's show either. :sad:

[S.C.B]

I always thought the mouth piece made him look really dumb founded. Plus, I really like the way the original season two armour had that red part over his lower jaw, the return of the mouth piece wasn't welcome in my eyes!
Agreed. I wish they'd just worked it into the story that they were modifying the existing Iron Man armour to resist the anti-technology mist. The armour with no mouth piece just looks bad ass. I think another thing that contributes to the season 2 armour's coolness is the darker colours, with the red an almost brown-y colour. The others were just a bit too bright for my tastes.

Off topic: Damn, all this season 2 Iron Man talk has got me hankerin' for some box sets. I want to see the Armour Wars episodes again.

[Bones Justice]

My favorite is from Ultimate Avengers. Not only does it look cool, it's very mechanized looking. I also like the blue lighting. I was very impressed by the design in all respects.

I really have a problem with most of the other designs here. I especially don't care for the designs with the red bikini bottoms. Is that really supposed to be intimidating? Likewise, I don't care for the "six-pack abs" look. It doesn't look like armor at all. I don't see why anyone would like it unless maybe you're a big fan of the live-action Batman movies.

Unfortunately, I have not gotten to see any of the Iron Man series.

[Spider-Man]

Either the season two armor or the design from Ultimate Avengers gets my pick. I do like how the Ultimate Avengers design is more sleek and mechanized. I dont understand why Tony would want to put in a robotic six pack on his armor for the cartoon. I guess in the end the Ultimate Avengers model just looks a bit more better.

[JLU Dude]

I have to say I like Season 2 Iron Man design. Followed by the Ulimate Avengers armor. No offense and I'm just curious, though Stu but why is the Fantastic Four armoe posted here? Outside of some coloring differences, it's the same as the Season 2 armor.:sweat:

[Stu]

I have to say I like Season 2 Iron Man design. Followed by the Ulimate Avengers armor. No offense and I'm just curious, though Stu but why is the Fantastic Four armoe posted here? Outside of some coloring differences, it's the same as the Season 2 armor.:sweat:
Some people like Iron Man without the long red pants. I thought it was a little weird seeing it, and it technically is another design, so I saw no harm in it's conclusion. :)

[ifthismeansevos]

I love the classic Iron-man but maybe it's just because it makes me nostalgic the season 2 armor looks cool but as I never saw the series I go again with the old design...It's curious I'm always picking the oldest design except for the X-men.

[Nightwing]

http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman/episode/andtheseashallgiveupitsdead/16.jpg
Iron Man: Season One

http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman/episode/helpinghand/12.jpg
Iron Man: Season Two

http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/bios/heroes/ironman/06.jpg
Spider-Man: The Animated Series

http://marvel.toonzone.net/fanfourtas/cameos/12.jpg
Fantastic Four

http://marvel.toonzone.net/mafeatures/ultavengers/bios/ironman/06.jpg
Ultimate Avengers
Images Appear Courtesy of Marvel Animation Age (http://marvel.toonzone.net)


Tony and I first met on the field of Marvel heroing by means of SpidermanTAS, so I've got a tiny bias I suppose.

*Aaaah. That's a GREAT great shot though. "Who's counting!?" Hehehe*

Anyway! I see there are a lot of votes for this Ironman season 2, so I thought to take a few extra looks. I love it to death, but I sort of kind of like the SpidermanTAS one better, because the first thing I look at is the head and shoulders part.

And to me, the SpidermanTAS one says, "An Iron Man, a roboty man, but not a generic looking robot man." He's unique. See that in the helmet?

I'll certainly agree and ablidge the talk about not liking the spandexy pantsy look with the yellow along with a red speedo, but I can sort of overlook that.

Although, I didn't love the Ultimate Avengers as much as any of the others. He looks like.....I dunno, bug-like. It IS sleek looking though.

[Spider-Man]

What really splits me on Iron Man designs is the sleek look over the buly look. I like the idea of his armor being big and bulky and looking sort of real but when I see the design used in Ultimate Avengers and how sleek it is I like that as well. The comic book version in The Ultimates I thought found a good medium how it mantained the big bulky robot/mecha look but also looked very sleek.

[100batman]

probably avenger or spiderman

[dmxx116]

My favourite Iron Man design is. http://marvel.toonzone.net/ironman/episode/fireandrain/09.jpgAnd the design I'm not crazy about http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/bios/heroes/ironman/06.jpgand this one from season onehttp://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/71/l_2c4de279ff50477188dba1d5e7bf1cbe.jpg (http://forums.toonzone.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=111756524&albumID=2424458&imageID=38436108#a=2424458&i=38436092) it too much detailed for animation unlike the one I seen in season two.

[Aza]

Did u skip Armored Adventures Iron Man design? Well i like that one and the one from Spiderman TAS.

[dmxx116]

Did u skip Armored Adventures Iron Man design? Well i like that one and the one from Spiderman TAS.No not a fan of that show.

[Marinite]

Ultimate Avengers, followed by Armored Adventures. I never liked the concept of armor having muscles or a six-pack, it didn't really make much sense or look right to me; so I don't like the other designs much.

[Animation Freak]

Did u skip Armored Adventures Iron Man design? Well i like that one and the one from Spiderman TAS.

If you look at the date of the OP, you'd notice that it was well before Armored Adventures hit the airwaves, hence it wasn't an option and why it wasn't on here.

[Rick Jones]

I was always a fan of the original red and gold, as seen in Marvel Super Heroes, but it never really got a good shot at being animated. I loved the 90's long pants suit, my favorite, and it was particularly cool after the Season 2 revamp. I was pretty disappointed when they ditched it during his Spider-Man appearances. The suit they did use looked like it was still missing some pieces. As far as the arms and torso of the 90's suit are concerned, I like to think that it was an underlayer of some sort of flexible, form fitting armor and that Tony wasn't vain enough to actually carve the muscles into the suit.

Of the different DTV looks, my favorite was the Next Avengers armor. I thought both the Ultimate Avengers and Invincible Iron Man armors were great but I just wish the colors were a little brighter. I never thought of the Ultimates armor as good looking but I liked how they were able to keep some elements from it, the faceplate and blue power glow, and mix it with the Extremis armor and some other stuff for the UA armor design. I think the Armored Adventures armor looks cooler in action than in still pictures but it's probably the sleekest armor I've seen yet.

Another armor design I really liked was the Mark 1 armor that attacked the FF during the Fantastic Four: WGH episode.