The Rundown on the Retro Armor
This page copyright 2001, 2002, 2009 Tim Rassbach.
Iron Man and all associated characters are the property of Marvel Comics.
Communications improvements include a built-in Avengers Communicard and a Worldwide Language Translator, along with Voice Modulators and speech programs capable of voice emulation.
The on-board computer has a vast data storage capacity of hundreds of gigabytes, capable of downloading all of Jocasta's consciousness/operating system.
A Magnetic Field Generator draws things to the armor, while a Magno-Lock function allows a Spider-Man imitation on metal surfaces. Gloves can produce a non-conductive field to prevent some shocks, or a repulsor field when needed. However, the armor is still vulnerable to ionic shock.
Helmet upgrades include auto-tinting eyelids, and air filters with external louvers that can let fresh air in when open. Suit comfort can be improved via internal temperature control. The visor can only be lifted when an encryption code is disengaged.
Special Feature on this suit:The Armor Module. The Model XXIII, Mark II stores itself, collapsing into a module that is controlled by Stark's watch computer as well as a hand-held remote that includes a holographic communicator. Triggered by access codes, The Armor Module is flight capable, coming to Stark when he needs it. To "armor up," the suit unfolds, wrapping around and enveloping Stark, even on the fly. The Module has limited repulsor ability.
Stark's new armor revolutionizes the armor up process.
A retro look to herald a Heroes Return.
Vol. 3, #1, featured the return of an adult Tony Stark to the regular Marvel Universe, sporting yet another amazing armor.
At first blush, The Heroes Return, or Retro Armor, Model XXIII, Mark I, seems to be a mainly cosmetic change, containing most of Stark's usual gadgets. While a tough looking design, this armor seems to be weaker overall than previous armor models, at least in combat situations. But a second look proves that the Retro Armor is a definite advancement in Stark's long record of fantastic inventions.
The steel-mesh armor features a retro look in the return of the horned mask and a less radical overall design than the Franklinverse Heroes Reborn armor, although it does carry over several cosmetic features from that period-Most notably, the neck and chest beam which feature the same basic look as the previous model. The energy from the bootjets also remains a green discharge.
The faceplate of the helmet lifts up like previous armors and can be removed altogether. Other obvious features are the knee high boots with large knee plates. Improved boot jet construction makes this an even faster armor. The suit also has a glow to it, emitting from light ports located on the top of the helmet, the gauntlets and.....Solar-charged, like many before, the armor also contains energy induction grids that function along with a thermocouple to turn heat into energy. Built-in cooling units are capable of keeping the armor cool even in the face of external temperatures of up to 9,500 degrees centigrade. The armor's cooling abilities and durability allowed it to withstand the impact and explosion of an oil tanker. It also shook-off a volcanic blast.
The traditional cybernetic command system with Heads Up Display (HUD), long a standard feature in Stark's armors, allows armor control through mental commands. A chin toggle acts as a back up in case the cybernetic link is severed or disrupted. (The chin toggle is also used to deliver drinking water to the user's mouth.) The eyeslits in the helmet can opaque automatically to protect the wearer.
On-board systems include various audio receptors and imaging sensors (RADAR, Acoustic, Thermo, Seismic, COMBEX/SONAR, SMO, MRI, Infrared, and Fluoroscopic, Telephoto) along with a Mobile Targeting Array with advanced tracking systems. Sensors can detect motion as small as one thousandth of an inch. Medical information is also collected and recorded by the armor during operation. When in use, the on-board systems download biological data to Stark's mainframe system and Jocasta.
The Communications Array and Scanners allow for radio and TV reception via the HUD & in-helmet radio while utilizing Starkware Clearview software for radio, cellphone and wireless communication.
Other features include a digital camera built in to the helmet and a foam fire extinguisher as well as an internal locator chip. An auto pilot function allows sleep while in flight. The suit also posses an External Inertial Dampening Field that can prevent bullets from ricocheting off of the armor and hitting innocent bystanders.
Special circuitry in the armor, along with Stark's wristwatch and a portable travel clock, block against mental takeover. However, the systems have not been 100% effective against sleep suggestion techniques such as those recently employed by The Controller.
The Remote Control System via the manual control armature linked through a laptop computer allows Stark to operate and test the armor without being in it. The r/c link is sluggish and meant only for testing, not for combat. The hook up sends back a myriad of data to the laptop including all sensor functions, but no visual or optics.
Like his earliest armors, this model posses the power of magnetism. Iron Man can attract items or repel them by producing anti-magnetic fields. The armor is still vulnerable to EM pulse.
Armaments: Lasers; Variable Repulsors (with Decelerative, Concussive and Penatrative settings); Pulse Bolts (though rarely used because of the emmence power drain); Bomb Pellets (stored in left gauntlet compartment); Sonic Wave Beam Projector (can fire Sonic Ramshot); Magnetizing Gaussing Beam (which can magnetize other objects).
Special Feature on this suit: A Force Bubble Projector provides stealth capability for at least two persons. A sort of rolling hamsterball, the bubble is effective but slow going.
**For info on the Living/Sentient Armor, click here.
Model XXIII, Mark II: After refining his design with the interim Test Armor (Mark I) Stark upgraded Model XXIII with this retrofit.
After taking several beatings, a slow healing Stark turned to his personal physician, Dr. Jane Foster, and Hank Pym. They discovered that the Iron Man armor was not only preventing Tony's recouperation-It was killing him. In short, the armor's power pods, induction fields, force matrices-the entire electrical system really-were both retarding cell growth and breaking down healthy cells. In short, wearing the armor was like living inside of power lines.
To survive, and to remain the Iron Avenger, Stark redesigned everything from cyberlinks to servos, revamping the power systems and the insulation with improved shielding to stop cellular breakdown. Based on his improvements in the Test Model Armor, the biggest change was obviously the power systems overhaul, but the more insulated Mark II was thicker and that created a storage problem. Too big to fit into a briefcase, this armor folds into its own compact, remote-controlled flying case known as The Armor Module-A revolutionary change in "armoring up." (More below) Model XXIII, Mark II is cosmetically identical to the previous incarnation.
The suit contains the hardware and software of the previous Mark, plus: High Frequency Tight Beam Ultrasonic Emitters, Uni-Beam Chest Light, Holographic Image Projector, and Acoustic Dampers that keep out the roar of the boot jets and other loud sounds. Stark improves the armor's targeting capabilities with the addition of a laser sight, while firefighting is upgraded by placing Flame-Retardent Foam in the gauntlets.
For full underwater activity, Tony Stark has integrated the Model VI Deep Submergence Armor into Model XXIII, Mark II, including the addition of Microturbines to boot jets. Space restrictions, however, limited the internal oxygen supply available. An Emergency External Oxygen Regulator does allow the sharing of O2 with others. Repulsors are available underwater by adjusting their frequency. Model XXIII, Mark II also has limited space flight capability.
