Of course, there will be those who will say that the newer versions of the armor are "more realistic" -- but how far off the mark is a statement like that! Some time about 25 years back, fans and pros alike began confusing which parts contain the "realism" and which parts are "realistic". Peter Parker having money worries is realism. Iron Man's armor being lumpy and bumpy --- that belongs in POPULAR SCIENCE, not a superhero comic.

Probably the last decent Iron Man suit was Bob Layton's red-and-gold variant, introduced shortly after the red-and-silver version.

My personal favorites are the original Tales of Suspense # 39 version (as lovingly rendered by Don Heck) and, of course, the classic red-and-gold.

I find it interesting that the original design was so bulky and "realistic". Certainly it fits in well with the desperate circumstances in which it was created by Stark and Yinsen, but Stan and Jack and Don could have gone the sleek and slick route right after that first story. Instead, we saw a gold version of the original suit, and it took a while to progress to Ditko's original red-and-gold.

Man, Iron Man used to be a great character. Is anyone else mad at how screwed up he's been in the past decade or three?

Quick Q for JB:  How did Nefaria's cape attachment work -- specifically, how did the rope hold the cape in place?  It's easy to see how something like this works for characters like Captain Marvel (SHAZAM!), but with Nefaria's rope running across his chest and under his arm, I can't figure out the attachment/fastening/retention methodology, especially since the cape ALSO has a collar.  The attachment method seems similar to what Power Girl uses these days, but she doesn't have a collar to account for, and I can't see how the rope/single attachement point method would allow for a collar, functionally.

Lots of starch, perhaps?

???

Serious question, BTW -- I'm pondering a Marvel Legends custom or possibly a statue of the good count.

  But I can relate to what you're saying, and the answer is, no, not mad anymore.  I've moved beyond caring what Marvel does to the characters I used to love and follow religously.  They've gone so far away from what I liked about them, I'm just...done with them.  Unless or until some change of drastic proportion takes place to return these characters to what they are supposed to be, I'll keep on "not caring".  At least we have back issues and these wonderful comissions to keep us going. 

++++++++++++++++

Yeah, I've pretty much reached that point. Guys like Spider-Man and such are pretty much dead to me, now.

But the back issues...the sweet, sweet back issues....yeah, I've been going after a ton of old stuff, lately.

Still, it's hard to ignore the current status of these characters. As has been said before, it's like being divorced, then watching from afar as your ex's life falls apart completely.

This commission piece really leaves me with a warm and fuzzy feeling that makes me feel like I’m in the fifth grade all over again.  I love Count Nefaria, even though I’ve never read the issues of the Avengers that he appeared in.  I first saw him via his entry in the Handbook Of The Marvel Universe and I thought that he was the coolest looking character I’d ever seen! I didn’t even know who John Byrne was, but I knew I loved the way he had drawn that character.  I wouldn’t have even known where to find those Avengers issues to enjoy. It’s funny how things come full circle.  I’m going to have to find them now!

John Byrne wrote: The cape attachment is very simple. The chord forms a complete loop, around his neck and under his arm. The cape then passes thru the loop, between the Count and the chord. The collar is a separate piece, attached to the top of the cape.

Fascinating -- with a single-point attachment scheme, I would have assumed that the chord passes UNDER the cape (between the Count and the cape).  Looking closely at your latest commission piece now, though, I can see how you have depicted the chord, and it makes a lot more sense.  Very cool.  Thanks for the response, JB!