What’s my endgame with this Ablative Suit site?
Look, I know how silly this site is. While there’s some good information about the science behind the Model 23 — Iron Man’s Ablation Suit — it’s still an entire website dedicated to one of his most obscure armors. I’m quite aware that I’ve spent a fair amount of money securing the URL, paying for the site, and having original art created. And boy howdy have I spent an embarrassing amount of time on it.
So the question remains: Why?
I detailed why I put this site together in my very first blog: I had to get it out of my head; I wanted to learn more about ablation; I needed a creative outlet; and I was ready to become the internet expert on something.
But more than anything, it’s fun. I’ve had a good time telling people about the site, how they can find it, and what they can enjoy once they get here. I’ve also liked working with the artists. In short, I’m having fun.
But few authors write books that they want no one to see. Few movies are made that aren’t supposed to be released. (The 1994 Fantastic Four being an exception.) So, even though I’m doing this for fun, I still wouldn’t mind if the site makes something happen.
So, what’s my Ablative endgame? (besides a 2032 Marvel movie where the Ablative Avengers fight Ablative Thanos, of course).
Back In the Comics
Some Iron Man armors just keep coming back again and again. How many times have we seen the original Mark 1 “get me out of the cave” armor? Whether it’s in the Hall of Armor or used as the last resort backup, it just won’t go away.
So with Axol (have I mentioned yet that I named it Axol? Its name is Axol) never appearing again after issue #417 (except for this Hall of Armor panel), it seems it’s time for a comeback of this weird Iron Man armor. While it might not be terribly useful in most situations, the creators certainly found a workaround that made use of the tiles. I know that I could as well, and wouldn’t mind doing a little Iron Man arc that featured my favorite armor. I’m pretty good at writing comics and would love a shot.
And if he isn’t the armor in the spotlight, I’d at least like to see him…
Showing Up In the Background
How many times have we seen Iron Man’s Hall of Armor? A lot. I’m guessing some artists like doing it for the variety, while others probably hate it because it takes them a lot of time creating something that’s just in the background. What armors do we usually see and can actually identify? The Mark 1, classic red and gold, Silver Centurion, the underwater armor, the stealth armor, maybe the original space armor, and a bunch of suits that you might or might not be able to tell what they are.
Pretty sure Ablative Armor Iron Man, not 100% sure Ablative Armor Iron Man.
I’d like to see Axol in there every time the Hall of Armors shows up. (Have I mentioned yet that I have named the suit Axol?) I want to raise such awareness of the armor that whenever there’s a flamboyance of Iron Man suits, the Ablative Armor is never forgotten. I don’t care if he’s just a naked underarmor with all of the tiles piled on the floor like Legos, I’d like him to always be there. If this happens, my gallery would overflow with new images.
Of course, I’d love to be a part of official Marvel lore, so I’d really like to see…
Axol Made Canon
Not every suit has an official name. I doubt Tony calls the classic red and gold “the classic red and gold” when talking to someone.
But considering how different the Ablative suit is, I think it needs a name. Sure, it’s already called Mark 23 and Mark 24 (depending on which Iron Manual you’re going by) and its official name, according to Tony Stark himself, is the Ablative Armor Mark 1. It’s so different that it got its own Mark system.
I named it Axol, after the axolotl salamander that regrows body parts after injury. If Ablative Armor Iron Man ever shows up in a comic again, I would be quite honored if someone referred to it by that name. The original writer of the comic, Robin Laws, didn’t complain when I told him I’d named it; that’s a start!
What Are the Chances?
Axol first showed up in an arc called “Vegas Bleeds Neon.” So it’s only fitting that we give you the odds of the following happening for the Model 23.
Back in the comics: 7/10. A writer will be going through old comics some day, looking for inspiration. He’ll find the Ablative Armor and use it as the basis for a fun conflict that only the Ablative could tackle.
Me writing him in: 2/10. Not much chance, but I can write comics. Contact me, Marvel!
In the background: 10/10. As often as we see the Hall of Armors, it’s bound to happen again sooner or later. Maybe not this year, but eventually.
Axol made canon: 2/10. I think this site would have to reach the attention of just the right person. Someone who has enough of a following to make it go viral for one day because of how silly and obsessive the site is, mocking it and giving it props at the same time (much like people do with the entire concept of an armor: cool, but weird.) If that happened, someone at Marvel could take notice, and it could bring Axol back into the spotlight for a short time.
A man can dream.
