. . . ruined when Happy Hogan (who was wearing it at the time) fell from Stark's penthouse to the street far below, and his spare was damaged beyond repair by the radioactive Freak, Iron Man's classic look was updated in issue #85 with a radical new armoring-up process.

The Depolarizing Armor, Model VI, Mark I, was another highpoint in Stark's ever-evolving armor designs. Similar in external design, internally it featured circuitry of the most sophisticated design and utmost miniaturization--once again, Tony Stark created a technological marvel.

Stark totally revolutionized the armor's basic construction and materials, along the way coming up with a truly amazing new armoring-up process. Having always been hampered by having to keep his armor-carrying attache case by his side. Stark designed an armor so thin, so seemingly light that he could wear it right under his civies. The suit grew out of a cloth-like unitard that fit under his clothes. More comfortable and form-fitting than before, and feeling just like cloth, when polarized, it became as tough as iron.

Free of the case, he could now have his armor with him at all times. By simply clinching his fists in a prearranged manner--palms up, as though curling weights--Tony set off a pair of ultra-sonic signals from his special I.D. bracelet (a covert, wristband sonic signaler) and wristwatch, which, in turn, activated the polarization unit in the chestbeam, causing the shoulder and collar rings to spring into three-dimensional form while bringing about a downward slide of golden sleeves and leggings. Then, "memory" circuits expanded the cuffs of the gloves and boots, fully encasing his hands and feet. Finally the mask slid over his head from behind. (In order for the mask to retain the symmetry necessitated by the new armor-up process, the nose had to go.)

Model VI is removed in much the same manner. By crossing his right wrist over his left, Tony set off a charge that depolarized the armor, retracting it from the gloves, to the chestplate, and so forth. Thanks to Reed Richards--who provided him with an entire wardrobe made of unstable molecules--Stark could fold his clothes down to wafer-thin strips of foil and store them in a small compartment in his hip power pod.

Even though Stark put the armor through every test he could think of until he was certain that it was the most impervious armor known to man, it had its weaknesses. In order to make the armor micro-thin enough to originate from the chestplate, Stark traded durability for convenience and flexibility. making the Depolarizing Armor more vulnerable than past suits--the mask and gauntlets especially, which were damaged in fights. And although lighter than previous, in its dead weight, unpowered, Iron Man would still sink in water. (The armor did have an emergency buoyancy feature that kicked in automatically to float Iron Man in the event that he lost consciousness.)

Radiation sensors in the armor tracked directional readings, while a sensor console in the left wrist allowed for other forms of tracking. A small homing device pulled from the hip pod compartment could be attached to a target to provide precise tracking info back to the armor.

The overall power circuitry was redesigned. New circuit relays snapped shut to prevent circuits from being overloaded or fried during electric blast attacks. In addition to reserve power back-up, this armor also had booster cables to recharge Iron Man's drained power packs.

Despite the power system overhaul, there were problems. The thermocouple began to malfunction from time-to-time. Later, Shellhead had no way to absorb the Melter's heat ray.

Rocket Skates were redesigned and improved, providing Iron Man with a great emergency transport mode.

The built-in helmet reciever provided communications, allowed the wearer to monitor the police band, and featured a handy high-frequency emmiter. Internal air-conditioning units provided comfort.

In addition to his wardrobe, Stark carried a number of gizmos in his hip pod compartments, including a miniturized version of his Enervation Intensifier Ray and a small tool kit for repairs.

Despite its design achievements Tony Stark was not happy with Model VI. After just a few weeks of use he noted that he was not comfortable with depolarizing armor. He was bothered that it did not feel like metal to him. He also complained that it was like wearing a t-shirt and a swimsuit. While the Depolarizing Armor contained all the weapons and devices of its predecessors, Stark preffered the previous armor--although clumsier and heavier, it was more powerful.

It should be noted for the record that Stark was forced to leave a copy of the armor at the bottom of New York Bay.

Armaments: repulsors; vario-beam chest beacon (spotlight and laser); small cryogen-bomb capsules capable of freezing air, encasing targets (stored in right shoulder epaulet).

Special feature on this suit: Stark created a Slave Circuit to control his previous armors. Installed in the left gauntlet palm, this remote control micro-circuit allowed him to control older armors--especially if they fell into the wrong hands.