Hot Toys displays "The Many Armors of Iron Man" at STGCC 2014

As the 2014 Singapore, Toys, Games, & Comics Convention finally goes underway, Hong Kong specialty toys company "Hot Toys" has put up a very impressive "The Armors Of Iron Man" poster, which they've turned into their current cover photo at their official Facebook page! Known for their quality and attention to detail, this is one banner that's sure to impress fans of Ol' Shellhead and Marvel alike!


In case you need a refresher of how Tony Stark (as played by the talented Robert Downey Jr.) and his armors play out in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, here's a pretty impressive video compiled by a YouTube user that shows all the suits in the movies.

All Iron Man Suit Ups & Suit Downs Scenes

Former "Iron Man" star Terrence Howard says he was "Pushed Out" of the film franchise

Recasting a role has its ups and downs, and leaves a lot of people wondering what could have played out behind-the-scenes in the production process. In the case of actor Terrence Howard, the former Iron Man star did not return to reprise his role as Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes in 2010's "Iron Man 2" due to salary and contract disputes with Marvel Studios. He was then replaced by Don Cheadle, who also went on to star in the next sequel "Iron Man 3" and fought alongside Robert Downey Jr. in his own suit of armor as War Machine and the Iron Patriot.

Unfortunately it appears time does not heal all wounds, as a recent interview with Watch What Happens Live had the actor revealing more about the situation:

"It turns out, in order for — this is going to get me in a lot of trouble, but — it turns out that the person I helped become Iron Man, when it was time to re-up for the second one, took the money that was supposed to go to me and pushed me out." 

Don Cheadle is... Captain Planet?!

Pretty much self-explanatory, and it's via the folks from Funny or Die. Take a look for yourselves.

Gaia help us if Don Cheadle, who played War Machine in Iron Man 2, becomes Captain Planet!

First official look on Sci-Fi Revoltech War Machine!

Marvelousnews and Big Bad Toy Store.com have officially posted a clear scanned image and details on Japan's Sci-Fi Revoltech line release of War Machine, aka Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes and the best friend/ partner of Tony Stark, aka the Invincible Iron Man! This version of War Machine is based on his appearance on the 2010 film "Iron Man 2", and acts as the follow up to Sci-Fi Revoltech's release of the Mark VI and Mark IV armors of Iron Man from the same movie. Designated as Sci-Fi Revoltech #031, War Machine comes packing with heavy firepower, articulation, and props, so this baby's going to fly well with your Iron Man collection if you have any! You can check out more pics and info on how to order via the source posts at marvelousnews.com and bigbadtoystore.com!

Humor: Black Widow Goes Wild!XD

Slash Film has a post up featuring this hilarious stop motion animated short video by French-Canadian animator Patrick Boivin, featuring a Hot Toys action figure of the Iron Man 2 version of Marvel's femme fatale superhero Black Widow, as portrayed by the sexy and lovely Scarlett Johansson! To see this video is just to believe, and it pits the Widow against some fierce competition also from the Hot Toys line, like fellow Iron Man 2 star and main villain Whiplash, the T-1000, Rocky Balboa, and heck even Batman! Johansson's likeness even gets to be goddamn War Machine in this one, so this is DEFINITELY worth checking out, just because it's titled "Black Widow Goes Wild"! LOL!XD

Black Widow Goes Wild!

For more on links on Patrick Boivin's work as well as info, visit the source post at Slash Film!

Blu-Ray Review: Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 was a great sequel. It had tons of action, special effects, and superb acting to keep the fans entertained and get their money's worth. Despite some pacing issues and some nitpicks, the sequel performed well enough to keep the numbers rolling in Marvel's favor, outperforming expectations and even surpassing the box office record of its predecessor "Iron Man". Now that four months have passed since it took theaters by storm, Tony Stark and his armored alter ego are ready to suit up and ride home, as Iron Man 2 makes its long awaited release for home video via Blu-Ray and DVD!

Blu-Ray Review: Iron Man 2

Starring: Robert Downey Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Naturally, I'll begin this review with a few words of note. There may be a few SPOILERS about the movie and the contents of the discs containing the special features, so any purists out there who want to enjoy and discover for themselves best turn their attention away from this article now. Otherwise, here's what I have to say, so enjoy the read, and hopefully it'll convince you to grab this beautiful package asap!

Toyz Review: Marvel Select Iron Man 2 Iron Man Mark IV Armor

It's been a month since Iron Man 2 premiered in theaters, and the movie's still pretty fresh on my mind. Every nook and cranny of it keeps replaying on my head, especially those scenes with Tony Stark wearing all of his colorful armors to do his thing and fight the bad guys (or act very silly by getting drunk on his own birthday party). Yes, the fan in me has a soft spot for those armors, and thankfully enough, Marvel isn't one to let potential merchandise possibilities go to waste. With that, the inevitable happened and toys were produced to satiate the cravings of collectors and kids everywhere. I happen to collect an assortment of these figures myself, including a MS War Machine and a 6" Mark V, and while I'd like to talk about each and everyone of them, I'll focus on the more recent ones I've picked up, particularly this baby down here:

Say hello to the Marvel Select Iron Man Mark IV Armor. Yes, I finally have something to pair with the War Machine MS action figure, and it happens to be the suit that stands side by side with it on one of the iconic Iron Man 2 posters we've seen around promoting the movie - the one pictured below:

Here's a photo of the two MS figs following a similar back to back pose from that shot:

Those two look awesome and badass alright. Anyhoo, let's move on to the review.

Synopsis taken from back of packaging:

"An Updated, sleeker, more sophisticated version of Tony Stark's classic Mark III Iron Man armor, the Mark IV packs the latest in design punch. In the intervening six months since announcing that he was Iron Man to the world, Tony Stark has done a tasteful redesign to the suit that makes it even more aerodynamic and packs in powerful new weapons and promised to deliver a lot more fun. A sleek update that makes a classic even more classic."

As the synopsis stated, the Mark IV is a more refined and streamlined version of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor. Still using the iconic red and gold color scheme that makes Iron Man identifiable to the public, this baby symbolizes everything that makes Ol' Shellhead who he is - a jet setting avenger and an awesome hero. As far as I can remember, there weren't any flaws shown in Iron Man 2 to make the armor a problem for Tony to wear, besides his deteriorating Arc Reactor chest plate condition that became worse each time he donned the suit. Eventually discovering a new element to cure his ailment, Tony upgraded to the Mark VI, which looks almost exactly identical to the Mark IV, save for the grey areas inserted to several sections of the armor and a new Triangular chest plate, which reflects the look of the Extremis Armor in the comics. Despite the cosmetic changes to the exterior, the man inside the suit is very much the same, and no matter what iteration of his armor he wears, Tony Stark is and will always be Iron Man, 'nuff said.

Originally released together, it took me a while to get my hands on the Mark IV. At first, I was counting on getting the Mark VI armor instead, but shipments for that figure were delayed as well. Fortunately last weekend, new stocks of Mr Stark's upgrade to his badly damaged Mark III arrived in the malls, and I was a gleeful little bugger when I finally picked the 8" inch figure up. Much like the Marvel Select War Machine, the Mark IV is primarily meant to be for display purposes only, but that's not to say that those who have it can't play around with it. The figure comes with some points of articulation, as well as an extra pair of removable hands that can easily be swapped or detached to the owner's liking. A silver base is also packed in, divided into two segments that can be inserted together to form a stand area with a single peg that allows the Mark IV to do his thing and pose around. Again, this compliments the War Machine figure, as it has it's own base to stand on as well.

For a Marvel Select action figure, the Mark IV is a surprisingly excellent and well made figure. It's a well sculpted plastic rendition of the armor, and the detail looks passable enough. However, since these babies are mass-produced, you may want to look and choose one carefully. Blemishes, smears, and paint errors tend to be the common sickness around collectibles like these, so it's not an issue to take lightly. My copy of the figure is acceptable, but there are slight chips and marks to the paint on the chest plate area that make it quite frustrating to look at sometimes but I can live with it.

The best thing about the Iron Man 2 Marvel Select line, and probably what got me to collect the figures in the first place, is the removable face plate accessory. Much like the War Machine figure having the likeness of Don Cheadle, the Mark IV has Robert Downey Jr's face sculpted onto it, completing the look of Tony Stark in his armor. Of course, with the two sets of holes you can insert the mask's pegs into, collectors have the option of having Tony "tilt" the faceplate up or down. In fact, you could even redo that "Demon In A Bottle" scene where he gets drunk in his own armor, with the Mark IV having two sets of hands to play around with. One set is a pair of closed fists, while the other are two open hands, that you can either use to simulate sustained flight or fire a repulsor blast. All with those accessories, but but if you notice that the face plate doesn't have any "lights" on the eye holes, rest assured, all of them are like that. I had to take the time to craft and customize my own stickers to add to the slits and complete the armored up look. It's a bit of a pain, but I had fun doing that at least.

Poseability wise, the Mark IV doesn't have anything in terms of dynamic posing. You can raise and twist the arms and legs around to make him, punch, kick, or fire a repulsor, but there's nothing of the sort that will make it pass as Marvel Legends like. Joints are typical, with points of articulation of the arms and knees you can use to bend the appendages. The waist can also move and twist around, and the shoulder pads actually has hinges on each side that make it swivel up in case Iron Man raises his arms. Finally, the head, hands, and feet move 360 degrees thanks to the ball joints. I had a hard time getting some segments to move thanks to paint freezing and misplaced joint issues, but a little tweaking and popping those pieces back into place fixed the issues in no time. There's not that much movement here and there for MS figures anyway, but with the amount of detail already placed into them, sometimes what's there is already enough.

For its value alone, the Mark IV Iron Man figure is decent and well made. It's not the best nor is it the most poseable iteration of the character from the movie, but it gets the job done and is pretty good in its own right. This is Marvel Select after all, and you can only expect so much articulation compared to the 3.75" and 6" figures and toys. There's plenty of movement enough, and at least there are extra accessories and a stand in hand to make it versatile enough to play around with. Bottomline, get this if you're a serious collector of all things Iron Man, or are one to appreciate detail.

Rating - 4/5

Toyz Review: 6" Movie Series Iron Man Mark V Armor!

Having seeing Iron Man 2 a couple of times already, it's never enough just to glance over some eye candy graphics and cinematography at work. So, when the movie's just not enough for a fanboy, it's time to accessorize and grab some collectibles! That's exactly what I did for the most part, and being a certified long time action figure collector, I couldn't pass up on Hasbro's latest toy offerings and official merchandise from the Iron Man 2 movie. For those of you who have wandered the malls these past few months, you may have noticed those G.I.Joe sized Iron Man 2 figurines in the shelves, based from the movie, comics, and some unused concepts that haven't appeared in either medium.

That's not what we're going to talk about today.

Instead, I'll be reviewing one of the figures from the elusive and exclusive 6 inch line of movie figures. Basically, that means these figures are more or less hard to find, and rarely appear in department stores. Obviously, these are taller in appearance compared to the 3.75 scaled lot, and have more accessories packed in to give collectors lots of options in posing and playing with the figure.

The Mark V armor is, quite possibly, one of THE BEST armor concepts I've ever laid eyes on in a medium to feature Tony Stark and his armored avenging alter ego. As a portable version of the Iron Man suit, it was built in the form of a suitcase so that it can be carried around whenever Tony travels, giving him the ability to transform into Iron Man when the situation calls for it. Activated by hitting a handle located at the center waist of the suitcase, the machine immediately pops up and opens, revealing a pair of red glove handles and boots that Tony can insert his hands and feet into respectively. The gloves, in turn, allow Stark to carry and attach a metallic mesh harness to his body, which starts to spread around layers of metal sheath and coating that covers up his entire body after he raises both of his arms laterally. Once the armor has taken shape, things end with the formation of the helmet piece around Tony's head, and voila, the Mark V Iron Man suit is ready for deployment! You can check out that amazing piece of superior tech via this clip from the sequel. It's really a MUST SEE sequence!

Iron Man 2 Suitcase Armor Scene
Pretty slick wear, huh? This suit pays tribute to not one, but two versions of the Iron Man armor used in the comics - the original "suitcase" armor and the Silver Centurion armor. They have remained fan favorite variations of Iron Man's wear through the years, and the Mark V adopts the color scheme the Silver Centurion has prominently established for itself since its debut.

So what makes the 6 inch Mark V such a hit among collectors? For starters, the detail and sculpt on this baby is excellent, and you won't find any other mold that's an almost perfect representation of the suit's likeness from the movie than what you got here (unless they make a Hot Toys version, which has a likely chance of happening sometime in the future). There are several points of articulation located around the toy, from ball joints to peg points, so it's decently made when it comes to action figure standards. However, people may be disappointed to find out that the range of movement on the legs and feet are limited. That means dynamic posing and creating different stances for the Mark V are restrictive, and that's a bit of a frustrating thing to deal with. At least the head, waist and arms move well, so anyone looking to pose Mark V shooting out his repulsors will have no problems there. This is made possible by the inclusion of 2 pairs of interchangeable hands that can be removed and placed in easily thanks to the peg joint function, so this kinda makes up for the lack of movement and poseability in the lower section of the figure. If you fancy some accessory usage, Mark V also comes with a suitcase he can carry around with... but that's kinda silly when you know it's supposed to be what he's wearing already! It's probably a spare just in case he loses a fight. After all, those things come in handy when you least expect it!

The paint job for Mark V is not perfect. Then again, it's always been a quality problem for most of Hasbro's toys and figures. Mass producing something like this can have several errors being overlooked during the manufacturing process, and this particular figure is not exempt. Before purchasing it, I had to go through several other pieces that had problems ranging from "bleeding gums" to smears that won't just go away from a simple rub. As irritating as it sounds, botches will exist whether you like it or not, and besides the paint, there will be marks or blemishes that may be present around the figure. Still, this can be remedied with a little bit of customization, but if you're not one of the types who like to tinker around with their figures, you can live with these minor mistakes. Bottomline, toys are meant to be played with and enjoyed, and that's a fact of life.

As far as action figures go, I've gotta say I'm impressed with the 6" Mark V. Even with the limited lower body articulation and posing, it still makes for a decent figure to own if you enjoyed that particular armor and sequence from Iron Man 2, as well as anyone who has enjoyed Marvel Legends figures in the past. If there were actual life-sized suitcase armors sold on the market, I wouldn't hesitate and try to get me one of those right away! Still, this is reality, so you live with what you got, and this baby is the next best thing.

Rating - 4/5

Iron Man 2 Update: Behind The Suits Of Tony Stark...

If there was one thing constant about Iron Man, it's that he always has new armor to wear, and the movie universe is no exception for that matter. Since escaping captivity from a cave with the aid and support of his Mark I armor, Tony Stark has upgraded the design and tweaked it to perfection, beginning things by adding HUD and flight capabilities in the Mark II, and eliminating minor glitches and icing problems with the Mark III. By the time Iron Man 2 takes place, Stark has perfected most of the kinks by developing a more refined suit in the Mark IV armor, and tests the waters of portability and efficiency with the Mark V. His latest piece of tech wear, the Mark VI, harnesses all the advancements at his disposal, including a newly stabilized arc reactor chest piece that gives Iron Man twice the energy he needs to fully establish himself as a dominant one man army.

With its US opening weekend at a cool $128.1M and the numbers looking really good elsewhere around the world, Iron Man 2 is, despite mixed reviews, a smashing success. Yes, the armored avenger looks pretty awesome in the big screen, but how did Jon Favreau and the filmmakers get these suits up and running for the sequel? Well, if you want a peek at the film making process, fret not, for Superherohype and MakingOf.com have just the thing to saturate those inquisitive taste buds of die hard Iron Man fans like you and me. MakingOf.com has a new video tour up on how the IM2 suits were made - shot and developed in Legacy Effects studio. Speaking with three artists involved in the project - namely LE's Shane Mahan, Dave Merrit, and Ian Joyner, viewers can now see what it took to design the suits and hear firsthand how the artists worked on them and reacted once they saw the fruits of their labor on film. Check it out.

Iron Man 2 Update: Regarding Public Idetity...

Seen Iron Man 2 already? I'm sure many of you did, and despite some mixed reviews and opinions we all have and share, it's still a pretty solid sequel that's worth viewing for the superhero fan in you. Now, what comes next after shellhead's second outing on the big screen? Plenty. No doubt many of you already got a tease of what's coming next after seeing the post-credits scene at the end of the film, and it involves a certain Norse God Of Thunder and his own movie, still due on May 6 of next year. However, with everything building up to the Avengers movie, what is next for Iron Man after Iron Man 2? Well, if you're one of the comic book collecting faithful, you're probably aware of the miniseries that launched two weeks ago to coincide with the new movie's release - Iron Man 2: Public Identity.

A three issue prequel story written by Iron Man 2 screenwriter Justin Theroux, Public Identity chronicles the events that occur within the 6 month gap between the first movie and second, taking place immediately after Tony utters the words "I Am Iron Man", revealing his dual identity to the entire world. How everything goes from point A to point B takes off from there, with Stark living the celebrity superhero life by chasing women and defeating the bad guys. However, with Tony pulling out of the weapons manufacturing business and revealing the Iron Man armor to the public, pressure from the government goes to an all time high, with the higher ups adamant at having the billionaire industrialist turn over his technology to them. Of course, Tony has no intention of sharing his knowledge with anyone, for fear of his tech being misused and falling into the wrong hands. But even without Stark's technology with them, a high ranking military figure with close ties to Tony's past wastes no time in waiting for a golden egg to appear, instead setting into motion plans that will force Iron Man to intervene and save the day. This series also gives a closer look into the past life of Tony's dad, Howard Stark, as well as his relationships with his son, Obadiah Stane, and the father of Ivan "Whiplash" Vanko himself, Anton Vanko. With issue number three due next week, now is a perfect time to catch up and enjoy more Iron Man movie goodness by reading this series. For more info and details, hop online and visit Marvel.com!

Inception Is In The Mind...

Iron Man 2 may be opening this week to some good numbers, but let's not forget the other movies hitting later this year, including one original flick from the director who gave us a successful reboot of the Bat-movie franchise - Inception. The new poster that debuted on Slashfilm a few days ago kicks ass, and for those who don't know the score, director Christopher Nolan's next film will star Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, and Michael Caine, and if the casting power hasn't already gotten you excited, maybe the official synopsis will.

"Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime."

That sound good? It is, and the new trailer also kicks ass, which you can view via i09's post here.

After watching Shutter Island, I'm convinced Leo's new trip into mind game territory will be more intense and enjoyable this time around. I've been enjoying the actor's action/drama films in recent years, and working under Chris Nolan's direction is only going to heighten things up a notch.

Play the "Mind Games" first and watch this film on July 16, 2010.

Captain America Update: Jon Favreau Confirms Howard Stark's Appearance!

What seems to be a growing trend of cameo appearances in Marvel movies has just gotten bigger, as Iron Man and Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau has confirmed that the armored avenger's dad, Howard Stark, will be appearing in The First Avenger: Captain America movie! MTV has an article and a video up on the scoop, where Favreau answers questions surrounding Howard's appearance in the World War II era. Of course, the character is named after inventor Howard Hughes, and he'll be much younger during that time, so actor John Slattery might not be back to reprise the role. Check out Jon Favreau's interview with MTV here:

This is quite a surprise, but it actually makes sense if it's a younger version of Howard. My friends and I were discussing several possibilities where the Stark name would appear down the line in Marvel history, and now we have a link of sorts teased for the Cap movie. For more info and details on the article, check out MTV.com and Enewsi.

The First Avenger: Captain America gets released on July 22, 2011.

Can't Get Enough Iron Man 2!

This is a pretty sweet poster of Iron Man 2 I found in Kotaku, which is literally a colorful collage of every character and almost every key scene/ moment that fans and viewers will see in the movie. I reviewed the film a few days ago (the same day I watched it a whoppin' THREE TIMES), and despite some reservations I have regarding the film's pace, I still enjoyed it quite a lot, and I wouldn't mind seeing it again given the chance. It's Tony Stark at his finest, Rhodey suiting up as War Machine, Nick Fury at his sharpest, and Black Widow looking all sexy and hot in one package. If you need more reviews on this film, you can check out the link on Kotaku above or browse through your usual movie review sites. Bottomline, it's Iron Man, and you can never go wrong with a Marvel movie of this magnitude, especially when it leads on to other superhero flicks that finally converge with the one film to gather them all... The Avengers!

Comic Book Review: The Invincible Iron Man #25

Iron Man 2 hit internationally last week, and news is already circling that the film earned $100.2M in just five days of its release! The Jon Favreau directed sequel doesn't hit the U.S til May 7, but with those numbers on the tally overseas, there's no doubt that the impact is going to be high on the states as well.

That being said, how do things fare for our armored hero in the comic continuity? Pretty good if you ask me. Like Marvel pitched in the solicits, it's the perfect jumping in point for readers who are unfamiliar and have wanted to catch up on Iron Man's adventures. It's a new beginning for Tony Stark, and a new direction that will lead him to new adventures and challenges ahead. Before we get to that, however, I must explain what transpired before.. and what changed Tony Stark's life from better to worse to better once more. This won't be your average summary, but rather a recap of the events that transpired in Tony's life. I haven't reviewed the previous issues of IIM, so this is the next best thing. Take it away and read.

The Invincible Iron Man #25
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Once at the top of the hill as director of S.H.I.E.L.D and The Initiative, Tony Stark was removed disgracefully after failing to anticipate and being compromised by the Skrull's Secret Invasion. After this, he went through a markedly difficult journey in World's Most Wanted that cost him his mind and almost his life. Making the ultimate sacrifice, Tony Stark became a shell of his former self when he expunged the most powerful weapon he ever had, his intellect, in order to prevent Norman Osborn from getting his hands on the superhero registration act database. With Stark's body shutdown, the only way to bring him back to former self was to undergo a very risky and absolutely untested contingency plan that required the help of his closest allies, namely Pepper Potts, Maria Hill, Captain America, Thor, and Dr. Strange.

Chronicled in "Stark: Disassembled", the process required embedding Tony's body with the same Repulsor Tech chest plate that he once gave to Pepper, allowing his body the means to function once more. His mind, however, was a different story, and everything that he once knew was totally erased, leaving him a vegetable. Here enters the mysterious hard drive he tasked Maria Hill to find and deliver to Captain America - which was a literal "back-up copy" Stark made of his own mind. Following the process and using the power of Thor and Captain America's shield as a conduit to resuscitate him, the heroes hoped Stark would revive right away... but his mind was still lost inside of him. Calling on the services of Dr. Strange, the former Sorcerer Supreme ventures into Stark's subconscious, hoping to lead the former brilliant industrialist back to life. Unfortunately, several obstacles block their path; On the real world, femme fatale villain Madame Masque contracts the wraith like saboteur known as "Ghost" to find and kill Tony, and his job is made easier when he finds that the man behind Iron Man is at a helpless state.

Meanwhile inside Stark's head, constructs form within his mind to setup a reality that constantly repeats itself, with machines attacking while he's searching for a mysterious artifact with his parents in tow. Strange is able to locate Tony and help him rediscover himself, successfully bringing the latter back to reality and thwart the Ghost's assassination attempt. Tony Stark is whole once more... but he's not the same man he once was. The reset point of the backup data he stored was just before the Civil War, and Tony Stark has no memory of what transpired during and after those events.

Back to the issue at hand, Tony Stark is a new man with fresh start. He's got a clean slate to work with, and he's decided to start by making a name for himself as a hero and inventor... again. This storyline is called "Resilient" for many reasons, both figuratively and literally. We touched on the fact that he's a new man on a mission, and like the way Robert Downey Jr. portrayed the character on the comics, Tony begins his change by reconciling with friends he betrayed and by being a "resilient figure" against weapons manufacturing. In other words, Stark has abandoned his former company and the former job he took to make weapons, using the opportunity instead to build a new company from the ground up, called "Stark Resilient", and use his ideas to create technology that benefits the people and the world we live in. Consequently, he'll have pressure from the Government for abandoning his "calling", and the legacy of an old adversary lives on with the arrival of a new threat adamant at taking Stark off the face of the earth. Yes, it's pretty much like the Iron Man movie plot itself, only set within the Earth-616 continuity and after the smoke that was the Dark Reign. Writer Matt Fraction's approach to create a Tony Stark that everyone can relate to has been successful. Even with the downtrodden path and sufferings the character had to endure for the past 18 or so issues, he comes out smelling like roses and has a new chance at life he can grasp and take advantage of. However, with a clean slate comes a clean bank account, and Tony has empty pockets to show for it.

With all of his equipment and finances taken away from him, Stark has nothing but his restored intellect to rely on, and that's the only asset he needs to get his groove back on. This issue primarily deals with Tony learning to cope and make the most out of his situation despite the gap in his memory. Despite that, he's still the flamboyant playboy and risk-taking inventor we all know and remember, and he's got a lot of ideas going inside his super brain that's ready to explode and become a reality. Of course, I'm talking about the new Iron Man armor... and this issue marks its long awaited debut after getting teased for months now since appearing as an exclusive image on Marvel.com. The new suit has been referred to by many nicknames, from "disco armor" to the more humorous "EVA plugsuit armor". But now we can officially call it the "Bleeding Edge" armor, and there's a reason why its called that in the first place.

What many people should remember, after all, is that Tony's body was super-enhanced by a fictional virus called "Extremis", and that gave birth to the armor that's arguably the most recognized suit by fans of Iron Man in the 21st century. However, that armor was unceremoniously made obsolete thanks to the Skrulls tampering, and as a result, Tony's Extremis powers went in remission, forcing him to don older versions of his armor, especially due to the fact that his intelligence was diminishing while he was escaping from Osborn's clutches. Now that he's back and given a new lease on life, Tony Stark went on to create a new armor based on an improved Extremis concept, and this issue tackles how he goes about doing so with the help of the Fantastic Four's leader and resident genius, Reed Richards. Tony creates his new "costume", and only goes to display it at the end of the issue. It still comes out as an undersheath suit from the bones in his body, but the twist is that unlike the Extremis, the suit actually "materializes" and forms around Tony, similar to the symbiote suit Spider-Man wore ages ago. It could be a new form of nanotechnology enhanced with Repulsor and Extremis powers, but the end result looks awesome. It may puzzle some to see that the Iron Man armor is back to the circular chest look since it made the transition to the "V" shaped look with the Mark VI in Iron Man 2, but that's hardly something to worry about other than for cosmetic purposes. Bottomline, I'm liking the look of this suit, and I can't wait to see it in action.

With all the hype going on for Iron Man 2, I'm still glad I can look back and read the comic stories even after the movie's time has come and passed. Amazing writing by Matt Fraction has only been one part of the entertaining package I get from this book. The rest comes from the enjoyable artwork delivered by Salvador Larroca, who has stuck with Fraction since this title relaunched back in July 2008! Larroca's art just brings the dynamic storytelling and smooth transitions to life in an A-Class way, and there's no other artist I know who can make a dramatic and epic scene involving Iron Man feel so exciting the first time you see it, like the aforementioned debut of the Bleeding Edge armor in the one page shot it takes off from the helipad.

Capping this review off, the one question everyone will ask: "Is Invincible Iron Man worth reading"? ABSOLUTELY. If you enjoy seeing tech, smarts, action, and witty dialogue altogether, this is the book for you. For longtime Iron Man fans like myself, it's a new direction that's not only meant to bring Tony Stark new fortunes on the other side, but for us readers as well who need a refreshing take on the armored avenger himself. Despite the powers the suit grants him, Tony is as flawed as the rest of humanity, and that's what makes the character endearing to most of us. We sit back and enjoy his adventures, because through the trials, obstacles, and lessons he learns through the course of his career, he has proven time and again that "He is Iron Man", inside and outside of the suit.

Rating - 10/10

Iron Man 2 Knocksout The Hype!

I found this little piece via MarvelousNews.com, and I must say, it looks funny and epic!

As you can see, it's a picture of the legendary Sylvester Stallone, who "delivs a knockout punch" to Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr! That means Rocky can beat up Tony Stark if he wants to, hehe! Jokes aside, this was one of the pictures taken during the film's premiere at Los Angeles last April 26th! There's more about it and the press conference by clicking the link above, and you can also view RDJ and Jon Favreau's surprise visit to Austin, Texas in the video below! Awesome!

Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. at the Alamo Drafthouse from DG on Vimeo.

OMG... It's THOR!!!

It's May 1 folks! Iron Man 2 is already out in theaters, and it's also officially Free Comic Book Day in retail comic shops everywhere! As of this post, I've seen the Robert Downey Jr. superhero movie sequel three times, and each successive screening has convinced me that Marvel Studios has got it made to create some pretty awesome Marvel movies for us to watch and enjoy! Now that the armored hero's second adventure is live in theaters, what's next for the House Of Ideas and their films? Well, if you caught the last clip shown after the end credits of Iron Man 2, you'll know EXACTLY what's next. It's a guy from the Norse land of Asgard, and he wields a powerful hammer called Mjolnir that shoots thunder and smites his enemies. I'm talking about none other than The Mighty Thor, and he's getting his movie come May 6 next year! Cast in the titular role is actor Chris Hemsworth, who played George Kirk in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek. Production for the film has already begun, and not that many images have been seen on how the Thunder God will look like in the movie. Well, the wait is finally over, as Yahoo! Movies and Superherohype have just unveiled Mr. Hemsworth in full Thor Attire! Take a look and HAVE AT THEE!

Woah... it's actually THOR! It looks like film director Kenneth Branagh is going to be using the "Modern Thor" look for Hemsworth, and that's not such a bad idea! In fact, the look fits so well that I'm already geeking out over all the Marvel madness that's been rubbing all over me today!

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

I finally saw it last night, and now that I've had my fill, I can finally tell you guys... IRON MAN 2 is the movie to watch this season, and I say that with the utmost conviction as a big fan of the character. This may be my first impression and I'm still due to see a couple more screens of the movie, but I'll go along with this review anyway and be as brief and as spoiler-free as possible. If you're one to shy away from other people's opinions and experience everything yourself, please stop reading this review right now. I'm due to see this film numerous times in the next few days, and it goes without saying that this superhero movie kicks the summer beat into high gear... but does it payoff substantially for those looking for a big bang repulsor blast? Read on and find out.

Movie: Iron Man 2

Starring: Robert Downey Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell

Directed By: Jon Favreau

The world knows that Tony Stark is Iron Man. Going public with his heroic identity, the "strutting his stuff" billionaire industrialist has concentrated all of his resources into making sure that the Iron Man armor does not fall into the wrong hands, preferring to defend the world on his own terms. His friends worry about him a great deal, especially his secretary Pepper Potts, who tries to manage his business affairs after Tony appoints her the new CEO of Stark Industries. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Stark's other confidant and liaison to the United States Military, tries to keep his best friend in check by keeping watch over his flamboyant activities, which have become erratic as of late due to a secret Tony's trying desperately to keep from everyone he holds dear. With problems growing and pressure to turn over his technology to the government, Tony's life is everything but peachy, and it's about to get worse when sins from his family's past comes back to haunt him. With the new threat out on the open and competition mounting from a scheming business rival, Tony must come to terms with himself and his legacy if he wants to emerge from the ashes and show just what a self-proclaimed "Iron Man" can do.

Straight into the review, I'm gonna say outright that this movie isn't just a good popcorn flick, it's a straight out comic book light show come to life. Yes, I said "light show", and I'll get right into that in a bit. Truth be told, I was expecting a lot more from the sequel, but I only came out decently satisfied. Since the origin tale is gone and done, Marvel Studios and Paramount focus now on Tony's other escapades, including his personal issues and the way the "Iron Man" has affected his life and the people around him. I'm sure glad Jon Favreau is back in the director's chair for the sequel. He did more than just a stellar job introducing Iron Man into the world of cinema, he practically nailed the entire concept on the coffin and gave a vision of the hero everyone could pretty much relate to. His decision to cast Robert Downey Jr. in the role Tony Stark was sheer brilliance the first time around, and that role revitalized the actor's career in a great way. He returns in sequel with flying colors, bringing his stellar work ethic and work ethic into making the character as interesting and flamboyant as ever... with a unique twist only he can deliver. Of course, even if everything revolves around Tony, he's got his supporting cast worried about his every move. Pepper Potts, once again played by Gwyneth Paltrow, tries to manage the business side of Stark Industries as the newly appointed CEO, but even a composed figure like her can succumb to pressure when more problems come crashing down your table in a literal sense. Col. James Rhodes also returns, with actor Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard from the last movie. Rhodey's role is expanded outright, and as you saw in the trailers, he eventually dons his own armor, has it upgraded, and becomes the War Machine. While I was at first bothered with the change in actor, Cheadle's performance wasn't bad at all, and he brought more life and fight into Rhodey than what I saw in the character in the first flick. Aside from the returning supporting cast and characters, new ones enter the fray to give Tony something else to worry about. One of course is the presence of business rival Justin Hammer, played by Sam Rockwell, who's as young and passionate as Stark was in the weapons business, yet lacking the creativity and moral convictions the other has. In fact, Nick Fury and Black Widow, played by the talented Samuel L. Jackson and the lovely Scarlett Johansson respectively, appear in this movie to add more heroic flavor to the mix. By far, the inclusion of Mickey Rourke as Ivan "Whiplash" Vanko only adds more fuel to the burning star power the film already has by giving us a brilliant amalgamation of two popular Iron Man villains. While he may be lesser known villain to the majority compared to the other foes in the comics, people who see this movie will come to appreciate the Whiplash character even more, who's seen as a sympathetic villain like Doc Ock, but becomes increasingly menacing as the movie unfolds. Oh, and director Jon Favreau also gets more screen time, playing once again the energetic bodyguard of Tony Stark, Happy Hogan!

Of course, after describing character relations, that's pretty much what the majority of Iron Man 2 story covers, and that's probably where my problem with the movie lies - in the pacing itself. Unlike in the first movie where you have a straightforward origin story and you move up to the good guy emerging to take on the bad guys, there are several subplots scattered around the sequel that will leave some dazed and confused. Sure, the beginning was fine and we are introduced to Whiplash and his ties to the Stark Legacy, but towards the middle of the flick, I felt things starting to drag, with too much time spent on Tony's inner turmoil and the subsequent steps he made to solve his personal problems by himself. I felt a lot more things could have been done at this point to give the movie a little more "omph", but concentrating on multiple character development within a two hour period is pretty hard to do. That aside, with the final product out in the open, you work with what you got, and for all intents and purposes, Iron Man 2 is still a decent flick I'd recommend to the Marvel fan. There's lots of great special effects, and anybody who's a fan of the Iron Man suit and the other armors will get a kick out of what they see here. Personally, I enjoyed seeing the Mark V suitcase armor, and that's something you all gotta see here. True, it's not as epic as the first movie where we got to see the evolution of the Iron Man armor in smooth transition, but you get a lot of eye candy and action on this one, with sparkly repulsor and Arc reactor powered technology flying around, hence my description of a "superb light show" earlier.

Of course, those expecting ties to the upcoming Avengers movie can rest easy. There are several references comic book fans with a keen eye will notice right away, as well as some name drops and cameos true blooded comic fans will be pleased to see. Also, please please PLEASE stay with the movie until after the credits role, for like in the first flick, there's something extra afterwards. With all that said, I end my review for Iron Man 2. It's no The Dark Knight, but it's no Revenge Of The Fallen either. Knock it away and enjoy the show, Shellheads!

Rating - 4/5

Mini Review: AC/DC Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 is just around the corner, but we can't move into the movie without talking about this!
Who doesn't enjoy music? It's an energetic and emotional experience that takes your mind somewhere else beyond the realm we know as reality. I'm sure there's a certain song or band out there that catches your mood or puts you in an all time high that never seems to fade out until the beat stops completely. Yes, music is awesome, and if it didn't exist, I think life wouldn't be as thrilling as it is.
That's exactly how I see legendary Austalian rock band AC/DC - a totally energetic and thrilling experience. I've been a fan of the group for some years now, and if you haven't heard about them, they're a rock n' roll group that has been in existence for over four decades, beginning their career in 1973 and still going strong to this day thanks to the release of several classic tunes that many people of all ages have enjoyed over the years. Recently, the group found a resurgence in their popularity thanks to the inclusion of many of their infamous tracks in Jon Favreau's Iron Man movies. The director/ actor, who enjoys the music the band performs, incorporated the band's songs into the superhero movie's trailers and key moments, perfectly illustrating that rock n' roll can blend well with heroics given the right opportunity. In light of this union and to promote the Iron Man sequel, label Columbia Records has commissioned the release of a new studio album, aptly dubbed as "AC/DC Iron Man 2". The record officially went on sale last April 19, 2010, and I got my copy just last week when it arrived on our local shores and retail stores. As a promotional item for the movie and another AC/DC release, this album compliments both mediums and allows a younger audience to experience what the band - comprised of Lead Guitarist Angus Young, Rhythm Guitarist Malcolm Young, Bassist Cliff Williams, Drummer Phil Rudd, and Vocalist Brian Johnson, have given so many people and fans over years - a total adrenaline rush full of excitement and win.

Here you see the standard edition of the album, which includes a CD containing 15 tracks of songs, and an accompanying pamphlet/ artbook with images from the movie and the group's stellar moments in history.

To call this a "Greatest Hits" compilation is not necessarily a proper way to describe AC/DC Iron Man 2. Sure, most of the famous tracks like "Shoot To Thrill", "Back In Black", "Thunderstruck" and "Highway To Hell" are in the list, but there are other songs in the album that include the performances of former members, including AC/DC's first vocalist, the late Bon Scott, Bassist Mark Evans, and Drummer Chris Slade. Most people won't recognize "Rock N' Roll Damnation", "Cold Hearted Man", or "The Razor's Edge", but it goes without saying that if you like AC/DC, you'll get a charge out of the other classics, one form or the other. One of their recent songs, "War Machine", coincidentally shares its name with James "Rhodey" Rhodes alter ego, who's the other armored hero set to appear in Iron Man 2. Listening to that track will put you on the warpath guaranteed, and like the rest of the songs in the bundle, everything is loud and hard, the perfect compliment to Marvel Comics armored avenging hero, Iron Man. Recommended? You bet your horses it is! Just take a look at of the official music videos below and find out for yourselves how to rock n' roll in style!

AC/DC - Shoot To Thrill "Iron Man 2" Music Video
That was AC/DC's "Shoot To Thrill", the same song used in the scene where Iron Man takes a skydive off a military cargo plane to make a flashy entrance to the Stark Expo 2010!

AC/DC - Highway To Hell "Iron Man 2" Music Video
This is "Highway to Hell", another classic and memorable tune from the group used in several motion pictures in the past. Now, it represents Iron Man's adventures by being packed together in this illustrious album!

Did you feel the excitement and strut around like a metal hero after listening to these? If you did, then go out and grab this piece of awesome music in stores now! Also, Iron Man 2 officially premieres tomorrow, so don't miss it!

Album Rating - 5/5

Toyz Review: Marvel Select Iron Man 2 War Machine

There's been a drought on my toy review escapades lately. It's not that I haven't been keeping up to date with the latest figures around town, but I've just been too lazy and hesitant to make thoroughly detailed reviews about anything plastic and articulate. But right now, all that's about to change with this post... as I finally got my hands on Marvel Select's latest release - the Iron Man 2 War Machine figure!
With the big Iron Man sequel up on the horizon for theaters next weekend, the hype fever has spread quicker than a demon in a bottle, and plenty of collectors are looking for nice little toys based on the movie to add to their own unique collections. Big international toy manufacturing company Hasbro has already unleashed the 3.75" figures and other related kids merchandise on the retail market, and other toy manufacturers like Hot Toys are following suit with very detailed and pricey figures for serious collectors to consider. Anyone looking into the middle ground are in luck, as Marvel and Diamond Select Toys have released their own wave of Iron Man 2 figures for the cool and pristine Marvel Select line. The first of these just came out last Wednesday in specialty shops, and it was none other than Tony Stark's best friend James "Rhodey" Rhodes, all dressed up and armed for battle in his War Machine armor! I didn't hesitate to grab it when I saw this baby, and it's arguably one of the best figs I've gotten since the MS Thor a few months back. Why? Well, read on and find out as I review this sucker full of heavy firepower!

Marvel Select Iron Man 2 War Machine

Released: April 21, 2010

Synopsis taken from back of packaging:

"Created for James Rhodes by reverse-engineering Tony Stark's Iron Man, the War Machine armor differs from its predecessor not only in terms of color but also possesses more destructive weapons and raw firepower. Forced to choose between following orders and helping his friend, Rhodes must decide once and for all where his loyalties lie."

Yes, this is THE War Machine armor you're going to see in Iron Man 2, and by the summary and trailers alone, I know this is going to be a beefed up version of the Mark II, which Rhodey "acquires" from Tony and gives to his best friend's business rival Justin Hammer to redesign and use for military applications. We'll be seeing those two duke it out with one another, but they'll eventually team-up and fight on the same page, as we've already seen on the trailers.

First things first, I've gotta say that of all the War Machine figures I've seen through the years, this one impressed me a great deal! This figure exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds, and I'm hardly excited for the new Marvel Select figures nowadays! Also, the movie hasn't even come out yet, and I'm already relishing on Iron Man 2 goodies that capture the characters' likenesses almost perfectly!

Looking at the figure's paint job and sculpt, and I can't find any major faults on this area. Yep, War Machine here looks pretty much like he does in the movie, and I gotta give credit to the sculptors for doing a nice job in carving the figure out almost perfectly. The figure's got a nice frame. The detailing is excellent, with every piece of his armor shouting heavy duty firepower all over, right down to the side arm guns mounted on his wrists. Keeping the color scheme intact is also big plus, with coats of black, grey, and silver lighting up his armor right down to a tee. However, anyone with a keen eye may notice some paint quality issues, and that the Edwards Air Force decals are missing. Given that it's a Marvel Select release, the former is unavoidable of course, but it would have been a big plus if the decals were added on at least.

For clarity's sake, you can see the differences for yourself by checking out the pic of the War Machine figure above and comparing it with the one sheet poster from the movie here. Take a look.
Got a nice good look at it? Spot the differences? Alright, let's proceed with the rest of the review.

Aside from the faceplate and mini-gun, War Machine also comes with a display base that reads "Hammer Advances" on the door, so it's pretty obvious that it was Justin Hammer who reverse-engineered Stark's armor and refitted it for Rhodey to use. They come tucked in behind the figure in it's clam shell packaging as two separate pieces you have to connect together to make into the stand. Accessories are always a plus for a Marvel Select release. They help structure and create potentially dynamic poses that toy lovers and collectors can enjoy, especially for photo shoots and displays. In War Machine's case, he's only got two removable accessories packed with him, namely the armor's faceplate and shoulder mounted mini-gun, and the aforementioned "Hammer Advances" stand you can use to display the figure.

Pictured above is Rhodey wearing the faceplate to complete his transformation into War Machine. As you can see, it's a tiny and delicate little item, with two tiny pegs on the rear side that fasten neatly into corresponding holes located in two different spots in the figure's head, namely in the forehead and on the scalp. These areas simulate the effect of Rhodey tilting his "mask" on and off, giving collectors quite the display choices on their hands.

As you can see, this is how War Machine looks with the faceplate tilted up, revealing the face of Don Cheadle, who portrays Rhodey in the sequel. The sculptors did a great job rendering actor's likeness into the figure, and it's faithful enough to make him give a big thumbs up for quality assurance alone.

With the faceplate on, War Machine looks like a total Bad Ass. He breaks down a cold mean stare that will have crooks thinking twice before attacking him, and for somebody who's literally packing some serious firepower inside of him, he has to look the intimidating part to elicit that cowardly response from villains. Also, the armor's helmet emits a crimson red color from the lens, much like what we've seen in the trailers and promotional photos. However, the arc reactor chest plate IS colored blue instead of red, and that may be a point down for some when it comes to consistency. It's not too much of a thing to worry about though, and if you really need to fix these issues, a little customization can always remedy the situation.

As far as posing goes, the War Machine figure has a few joints you can play around with to create different positions of your liking. Bear in mind though, it's REALLY limited, so don't expect any of that "Marvel Legends" flair and hyper-extending to be found on this guy. Just like I mentioned in the Thor review, Marvel Select figures are primarily designed for display purposes only, so you can throw the big grand acrobatic act out of the window. However, that doesn't mean that this puppy doesn't pack some points of articulation, and War Machine can do some rudimentary movements to adjust his posture ever so slightly. There are ball joints located on the neck, wrists, and feet. Pegs located on the limbs allow Rhodey to move and twist his shoulders, arms, and legs around, provided he doesn't move around like Spider-Man. Hardening of some areas may occur due to the production paint drying up, but you easily fix that with some cooling/ heating methods, or carefully popping the appendage back into place. Unfortunately, this guy doesn't have any articulation on the waist (UPDATE: I was wrong. I double checked, and there is Upper Torso movement, so this baby can move sideways!).The side arm guns can't be tinkered around with either, leaving the shoulder mounted mini-gun as the only tangible weapon you can pose around with. It's a bummer, I know, but I can't complain that much since this is primarily a display figure, and there's a lot of excellent detailing placed into this baby already, like the repulsors on the hands and the boot jets on the soles of the feet.

There may be a few discrepancies around and the lack of articulation may be a disappoinment to some, but the Marvel Select IM2 War Machine figure is a pretty solid choice if you're just looking for a livelier version of the character without having to worry about displaying it in a variety of ways. If you're looking for something in line with the Marvel Legends brand, skip this and just look out for the 3.75" or 6"figures that have more poseability options for collectors to decide on (not the 3.75" comic book version or 8" diecast figure with limited poseability posted above). In fact, the 6" Hasbro figure has the most articulation and interchangeable accessories, and the Edwards Airforce decals are present on that one. Unlike the Select figure though, it doesn't have a removable faceplate and the Hammer stand, so there's the trade-off there. Bottomline, if you don't want to worry too much about detail, accessories, and just want a simple, decent representation of James Rhodes suited up, this is the figure for you. Grab it alongside the Mark IV/ Mark VI Marvel Select Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr's likeness, and you're good to go!

As a final word for comparison's sake, here's a pic of War Machine, standing side by side with the old Marvel Select "Extremis-Like" Iron Man. They stand on the same scale and look decent together side-by-side, but I'd much rather prefer pairing it with the Mark IV or Mark VI Marvel Select figure once I get my hands on it. Stay tuned for that, and until then, I hope this review helped out! Can't wait to watch Iron Man 2 this week!

Rating - 4/5

Iron Man 2 Update: New Spoiler Clips and Fujikawa's STARKHUD!

Iron Man 2 is less than a week away... and if you fear for SPOILERS, you DO NOT WANT TO SEE WHAT'S BELOW HERE! Yahoo! Movies and Superherohype have posted three (yes, THREE) new clips from the much anticipated superhero sequel, and one of them in minute's worth of seeing Tony Stark don the "Mark V" suitcase armor to do battle with Whiplash at the race track! True, we've seen bits and pieces of it on the trailers and TV Spots, but this is the uninterrupted clips fans who can't keep their excitement contained may want to see! Click the video player and see awesomeness!

Remember, SPOILERS! View at your own risk!

Iron Man 2 Clip: Suitcase Armor vs Whiplash!

For the other clips, check out this link here from Superherohype!

After seeing what the other subsidiary companies can offer, Stark Fujikawa steps up and shows off their part in making mankind connected with one another through the use of their latest creation - the STARKHUD 2020 eyeglasses! Among all the products that promote what the Stark Expo 2010 event has to offer, this has got to be the handiest one yet, and this Japan TV Commercial featuring cute host Miki demonstrating the device around her native Shibuya is awesome! Check out 20-20 vision in a new way by clicking the player below!



For more information, visit the official Stark Fujikawa website!

Iron Man 2 launches on April 30! Get ready!