Iron Man: Armored Adventures (also known in early promotional materials as Iron Man: The Animated Series) is a 3D CGI-animated series based on the Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man. It debuted in the United States on Nicktoons on April 24, 2009, and it aired on Teletoon in Canada.[2] The series is story edited by showrunner Christopher Yost,[3] who also worked on Wolverine and the X-Men, and numerous other Marvel Animation projects. The television show is not related to the 2007 animated film The Invincible Iron Man; it has a different voice cast, but some story elements are similar and the show uses the same musical score as the film in some instances. It is the first Iron Man television series since Iron Man from 1994 to 1996, and started airing after the success of the live action Iron Man film, which had been distributed by Nicktoons’ sibling Paramount Pictures.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures | |
---|---|
![]() Series logo | |
Genre | Superhero |
Based on | |
Developed by |
|
Directed by |
|
Creative directors |
|
Voices of |
|
Theme music composer | Robert Schwartzman |
Opening theme | "Iron Man: Armored Adventures Theme" by Rooney |
Ending theme | "Iron Man: Armored Adventures Theme" by Rooney |
Composer | Guy Michelmore |
Country of origin |
|
Original languages |
|
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 52 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producers |
|
Running time | 22 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | |
Release | April 24, 2009 July 25, 2012 | –
The series follows the adventures of a younger version of Tony Stark and his alter ego of Iron Man. As Iron Man, he uses his technological inventions to fight other similarly technologically advanced threats. His friends James "Rhodey" Rhodes and Pepper Potts help him on his courageous and dangerous adventures.
The second season of this series premiered on July 13, 2011, running concurrently with the English dub of the completely separate Marvel Anime: Iron Man anime series, which had already finished airing on Japan's Animax in 2010.[4][5]
On August 25, 2012, it was revealed that Iron Man: Armored Adventures would air as part of The CW's new Saturday morning children's block Vortexx. After November 24, 2012, Vortexx ceased airing the show and replaced it with Transformers: Prime on December 8, 2012.
As of January 2021, both seasons of the show are available on Disney+.
Synopsis
editAfter a plane crash in which his industrialist father Howard Stark disappears after refusing to weaponize the Earth Mover at Obadiah Stane's behest, Tony Stark uses a high-tech suit of armor he has constructed and investigates a charge that Stane may have been involved in his father's death. As Iron Man, Tony spends his time stopping Stane's plans and saving the world from other villains, such as Mandarin, Mr. Fix, Whiplash, A.I.M., Living Laser, the Maggia, Controller, Crimson Dynamo, Blizzard, Killer Shrike, Unicorn, MODOK, Ghost, Black Knight, and Technovore. He is assisted in his crime fighting efforts by James Rhodes and Pepper Potts. Tony's activities as Iron Man usually result in his needing to make up excuses as to why he is constantly late or missing from school and other activities. Dependent on his technology for survival, Tony must balance the pressures of teenage life with the duties of being a superhero.
First season
editThe first season of Iron Man: Armored Adventures has a total of 26 episodes. It focuses on Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, and Gene Khan working together to find the five Makluan rings. After overthrowing his stepfather Xin Zhang, Gene secretly works undercover to steal the rings from his friends, and ends up betraying them. At the end of the season, Gene discovers that there are five additional rings, while Tony learns that Howard survived, but was captured.
Second season
editThe second season of Iron Man: Armored Adventures has a total of 26 episodes, just like the first season.[6] Black Widow, Hawkeye, Doctor Doom, Magneto, and Justin Hammer appear in this season.[7][8]
The second season covers the Armor Wars saga and Stane International storylines, with Rhodey becoming War Machine during the first half of the season.[9][10][11][12] Meanwhile, Gene forces Howard to help him find the remaining rings. In the second half of the season, Justin Hammer buys Stark International and Iron Man must stop him from weaponizing its projects.
In the series finale, Iron Man and various other heroes work to stop the Makluan aliens from destroying Earth.
Episodes
editCast
editMain cast
edit- Adrian Petriw – Tony Stark / Iron Man
- Daniel Bacon – Rhodey Rhodes / War Machine
- Vincent Tong – Gene Khan, Xin Zhang / Mandarin
- Anna Cummer – Pepper Potts / Rescue
- Mackenzie Gray – Obadiah Stane / Iron Monger
Supporting cast
edit- Alistair Abell[13] – Happy Hogan, Black Knight
- Michael Adamthwaite – Justin Hammer / Titanium Man, J.A.R.V.I.S.
- Ashleigh Ball – Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
- Eric Bauza – Thunderbolt Ross
- Lisa Ann Beley – Iron Man Computer, Abigail Brand
- Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman[14] – Black Panther
- Christopher Britton – Doctor Doom
- Louis Chirillo[13] – Arthur Parks / Living Laser
- Michael Daingerfield[13] – Unicorn
- Michael Dobson – Ghost, Makluan Warrior
- Brian Drummond[13] – O'Brian, Makluan Warrior
- Mark Gibbon[13] – Hulk
- Andrew Francis[13] – Rick Jones, Hawkeye
- Catherine Haggquist – Roberta Rhodes
- Ron Halder – Abraham Klein, Magneto, Professor X
- Fred Henderson – Howard Stark
- Peter Kelamis[15] – Whiplash
- Michael Kopsa[13] – Controller
- Paula Lindberg – Sasha
- Donny Lucas[13] – Mr. Fix
- Kristie Marsden – Whitney Stane / Madame Masque
- Richard Newman – Anton Harkov
- Brenna O'Brien – Rhona Burchill / Mad Thinker
- Mark Oliver[13] – Ivan Vanko / Crimson Dynamo
- David Orth[13] – Donnie Gill / Blizzard
- Ty Olsson[13] – Killer Shrike
- Dean Redman[15] – Nick Fury
- Russell Roberts[13] – Count Nefaria
- Tabitha St. Germain – Maria Hill, Technovore
- Venus Terzo – Jean Grey
- French Tickner - Professor Zimmer
- Lee Tockar[13] – MODOK
- Dale Wilson – Robert Kelly
- Alex Zahara – Peter Corbeau
Production
editPre-release
editMonths before the series' television debut, Marvel had a screening of the first episode at San Diego Comic-Con.[16] Additionally, several promotional videos were released on the Marvel website.[17]
Theme song
editPopular rock band Rooney recorded the theme song to the series.[18] The song originally could be downloaded from Teletoon's website. A provided "secret code", Tony, would be needed to access the theme. This "secret code" was shown onscreen during Canadian broadcasts of the first few episodes of the first season. The music video for the theme song features clips of Rooney singing, along with clips of Iron Man from the show.[18]
Animation style
editThe series is made primarily using computer-generated imagery (CGI), in a similar style to Spider-Man: The New Animated Series. The technique is similar to cel-shading animation technique, although the detail and resolution are lower.
DVD releases
editUnited States
editThe pilot episode was released as a bonus feature in Wal-Mart's DVD edition of Iron Man (2008).
Distribution rights to the series in North America was held by Vivendi Entertainment.[19] Volume One was released on DVD in the United States on October 20, 2009. The Blu-ray edition was released exclusively through Best Buy Volume Two was released in the United States on January 5, 2010. These two releases were distributed through Genius Entertainment. The Complete Season One was released in the United States on May 4, 2010. The Complete Season One set included an unreleased pair of Volume Three and Four DVDs.
Season Two, Volume One was released on DVD on June 26, 2012, with Volume Two released on September 25, 2012.[20] The Season 2, Volume 3 DVD was released on January 22, 2013.[21] Season 2 Volume 4 and the complete second season set became available April 23, 2013.[22][23]
United Kingdom
editIn the UK, distribution rights to the series were held by ITV Global Entertainment. Volume One contains the first 13 episodes (the one-hour pilot being split into two separate episodes) on two discs.[24]
Australia
editThe Complete First Season was released on Blu-ray in Australia.
Reception
editThe hour-long premiere of Iron Man: Armored Adventures broke Nicktoons Network's record of highest-rated original series by premiering with over 125,000 viewers.[25]
Reviews of the pilot episode have been mixed. Some praise the series for its detailed and layered writing, strong continuity, and character designs. Entertainment Weekly gave the series debut a B+ grade, saying, "What could've been a clunky retrograde reboot works surprisingly well, thanks to some smart writing and stellar CG butt-kickery."[26]
Awards
editIn 2012, Iron Man: Armored Adventures won the Pulcinella Award for Best TV Series for Teens.[27]
In 2013, it was included on TV Guide's list of the 60 greatest cartoons of all time.[28]
References
edit- ^ TV (October 9, 2007). "DQ, Method Films Pact for Iron Man". Animationmagazine.net. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ Findlay, Kurtis (May 12, 2008). "Iron Man: Armored Adventures". Animated Superheroes. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ "2 New Iron Man: Armored Adventures Videos | Iron Man | Movie & TV News | News". Marvel.com. March 18, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ "Iron Man Anime's US Debut in July, JP Debut in October". May 24, 2023.
- ^ "Marvel to behold".
- ^ "Comic-Con 2010: Marvel Animation Panel". Screenrant.com. July 23, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ James Harvey. "New Stills, Series Description For "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" Season Two". Toon Zone.net. Retrieved July 16, 2011.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Marvel Entertainment [@Marvel] (October 13, 2010). "@RobbieNewton1 We'll confirm Doctor Doom is in IM:AA season 2! Anything else...keep waiting!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 13, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ James Harvey. "Descriptions For Upcoming New Episodes Of "Iron Man: Armored Adventures"". Toon Zone.net. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ James Harvey. "New Images, Details For "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" October 2011 episodes". Toon Zone.net. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "IMAA 2x4 on TVGuide". TVGuide.
- ^ "Marvel Animation Age - The Marvel Animation News Resource". marvel.toonzone.net. Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Animated Superheroes: Iron Man Voice Cast". Archived from the original on July 13, 2009.
- ^ "Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Thursday, April 16, 2009". Comicscontinuum.com. April 16, 2009. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ a b "Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Wednesday, May 13, 2009". Comicscontinuum.com. May 13, 2009. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ "First Look: Iron Man: Armored Adventures Animated Series". July 14, 2008. Archived from the original on July 15, 2008.
- ^ "Iron Man: Armored Adventures - Action and Adventure Video Spotlight | Iron Man | Movie & TV News | News". Marvel.com. April 16, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ a b Collis, Clark (March 27, 2009). "'Iron Man' exclusive! Watch Rooney's clip for their new Tony Stark theme song". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "Iron Man: Armored Adventures Lands on DVD". June 2012.
- ^ Lambert, David (June 26, 2012). "Iron Man: Armored Adventures - Release Date, Cost for 'Season 2, Volume 2' on DVD". TVShowsOnDVD. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
- ^ "Download Episode 303 of This Week in Marvel". News - Marvel.com.
- ^ "Iron Man: Armored Adventures - Season 2, Vol 4". April 23, 2013 – via Amazon.
- ^ "Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Complete Season 2". April 23, 2013 – via Amazon.
- ^ "Man: Armored Adventures DVD Vol. 1 at". Amazon.co.uk. September 7, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ Hauman, Glenn (April 29, 2009). "Iron Man: Armored Adventures breaks Nicktoons rating record". ComicMix. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ Bernadin, Marc (2009-4-24). "Tonight's Best, April 24, 2009", Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "Marvel Animation Age - The Marvel Animation News Resource". marvel.toonzone.net. Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
- ^ Sands, Rich (October 9, 2018). "The Definitive Ranking of The Simpsons, Peanuts, and More Old Cartoons From Your Childhood". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
External links
editArchived 2010-04-12 at the Wayback Machine
- Iron Man: Armored Adventures at Animated Superheroes
- The trailer for Iron Man: Armored Adventures at Marvel.com
- IGN - A Modern History of Iron Man
- Iron Man: Armored Adventures at IMDb