Diving back into the realm of Marvel Legends, we're taking a look at the Iron Man Retro Series Model 01 Gold Armor. I never did get the gray version of this, which is disappointing but perhaps one of these days I will. This version is much better than I anticipated. Time for a little history lesson on the Golden Avenger, enjoy!
In the early days of his career, Tony Stark, the genius billionaire industrialist, faced a turning point that would redefine his legacy as Iron Man. Initially, Tony crafted his first suit of armor while imprisoned by terrorists. This rudimentary, bulky gray suit enabled his escape but lacked the finesse and capabilities needed for ongoing superhero activities. Upon returning to his lab, Tony knew he had to refine his armor both in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
Recognizing the need for a more advanced and visually appealing design, Tony went back to the drawing board. The result was the sleek, powerful Model 01, better known as the Gold Armor. This new suit represented more than just a technical upgrade; it was a symbol of Tony's rebirth and his commitment to using his genius for the greater good. The Gold Armor featured significant advancements over its predecessor. Stark incorporated state-of-the-art technology, miniaturizing many of the suit’s components to achieve a more streamlined and agile form. The new armor boasted enhanced strength, speed, and durability, alongside advanced repulsor technology and improved flight capabilities. It also included integrated life-support systems, ensuring Tony could operate in hostile environments. The choice of gold was intentional and multifaceted. Gold symbolized luxury, success, and a bright future. By adopting this new color scheme, Stark sought to distance himself from the grim circumstances of his initial creation. It also served as a psychological tool, presenting Iron Man as a symbol of hope and innovation rather than a mere weapon of war. The Gold Armor made its debut in "Tales of Suspense" #40 in April 1963, where Tony faced off against Gargantus, an alien robot posing as a caveman. The new suit’s enhanced capabilities and striking appearance quickly won over both the comic book audience and Stark's in-universe allies. Over time, the Gold Armor became a defining aspect of Iron Man's identity. It set the stage for future iterations of the suit, each building upon the foundation laid by the Model 01. Tony Stark’s transition from the bulky gray armor to the iconic gold marked a pivotal moment in his journey, reinforcing his evolution from a prisoner of circumstance to a proactive defender of justice. The Gold Armor is more than just a suit; it is a testament to Tony Stark's resilience, ingenuity, and determination to create a better future. Its first appearance was a landmark event, signifying the dawn of a new era for Iron Man and solidifying his place as a central figure in the Marvel Universe.
Accessories: 7/10
The Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series Model 01 comes with a commendable array of accessories. Included are an unmasked Tony Stark head, which offers a great alternative display option, a pair of open repulsor blasting hands, a pair of fists, jet blast effects, and smoke effects. The jet blast effects add dynamic posing options, while the smoke effects give a unique touch, allowing for dramatic battle scenes. My biggest gripe and the one thing that would have improved the score is that the repulsor blast hands do not have holes to plug the blasts into. Nor are the repulsors painted on the palms, which actually makes them a bit harder to see. The translucent orange jet blasts are standard Iron Man fare and actually look pretty good plugged into his boots. There are two holes on the bottom of each boot, meaning you can plug additional blast effects, giving him even more propulsion. The black smoke effects snake around the blasts and don't look terrible, but they are rather bulky and end up hiding the flame blast.
Appearance: 8/10
The gold armor of this figure is a standout feature, capturing the classic look of Iron Man beautifully. The sculpt is highly detailed, with intricate lines and paneling that mimic the comic book design. The paint applications for his eyes and chest mounted uni-beam are clean and sharp. The marbling effect that Hasbro uses to give a metallic appearance is there as well, but very subtle. This marks kind of a departure from the usual look of their marbling. It's understated enough to kind of sneak up on your eyes, which actually improves the look, at least for me. The unmasked Tony Stark head is impressively sculpted, with a good likeness to the character and detailed facial features. We have seen this sculpt a number of times and it continues to serve collectors well. The overall aesthetic is faithful to the retro Iron Man, making it a must-have for classic comic fans.
Articulation: 8.5/10
Articulation is much better than I anticipated for this figure design. Both masked and unmasked heads can turn side to side with ease and are somewhat able to look up and down. The neck is on a ball peg as well, which helps increase range and tilt. Given the design, this was an exceptionally wise choice to give the figure better head movement. The shoulders raise to just better than a T pose and can fully rotate. The bicep swivel works, but depending on your shoulder position, can be limited by the torso. The elbows are double-jointed and can bend deeper than expected. Not fully, but better than 90 degrees. The wrists hinge and swivel on both pairs of hands. The torso is on a waist ball joint, allowing for forward and backward crunch, which is a bit limited and rotation, but no side-to-side tilting. The waist skirt is a softer material, which doesn't really hinder the legs... again, a nice surprise. The legs can hit a very decent split, not quite full, but pretty amazing for the figure design. They can also kick forward to 90 degrees, which is very surprising. The double-jointed knees offer great range but do look pretty bad when fully bent. Lastly, the ankles can pivot nicely and though they hinge, it's somewhat tight and limited. I didn't think this figure would be as posable as it turned out to be, which meant a higher overall rating.
Affordability: 8/10
Priced in the mid-range for Marvel Legends figures, the Iron Man Retro Series Model 01 offers good value for money. Considering the level of detail, the array of accessories, and the articulation, it provides a lot of playability and display options. It’s an affordable addition for both collectors and casual fans, though the price might be a bit steep for younger fans or those new to collecting. I ordered mine from BBTS and paid the standard retail price of $25.99 and is available for purchase online.
Overall, the Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series Model 01 - Gold Armor Classic look is an impressive figure that balances accessories, appearance, articulation, and affordability well. It captures the essence of the classic Iron Man while providing enough options for dynamic display. Despite minor articulation issues and slight accessory imperfections, it stands as a solid addition to any Marvel collection. With that in mind, I'm pleased to give this figure:
8 out of 10 ToyBoxes
This is a delightful figure and looks solid in the Iron Man armory in my collection. If you're a fan of the Golden Avenger, this is definitely a must have! Thank you for stopping by Dan's ToyBox and until next time... GEEK OUT!!!