He's a self-made Iron Man: Panel beater builds amazing replica of superhero outfit using fibre glass and cardboard (with an ash tray for the nuclear reactor)



Built using 400 sheets of cardboard that were carved into silicone mould

Creator had only initially planned to build the helmet before deciding to complete the entire outfit



While most comic book fans spend their time collecting their favourite reads, one buff has taken his obsession to new heights.

Mark Pearson spent 14 months building the perfect life-size replica of the Iron Man suit, much like Marvel comic hero Tony Stark, the maker of the formidable character.

Pearson worked tirelessly at his home in Bradford, West Yorkshire to finalise his creation ... yet unlike Stark, 5ft 6in Mark, can’t fit into the 6ft 2in costume.



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The man in the iron suit: Mark Pearson, far left and right, with his creation which Darren Higgins, pictured, wore to a cinema screening

Built at his home in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Mark’s suit is a near identical match although an ashtray was used to replace the nuclear reactor.

Mark, 44, said: 'I don’t know why I did it, I guess it was just a moment of madness. I decided on making the helmet then I said to my partner - I’m going to make the full suit.

'She said to me ‘you’re 44, what are you doing making a model of a man from comic books?’

'She has had a few moans every now and again but when she watched my friend walking around Bradford in it and the reaction he got from people she was delighted. It defiantly made it worthwhile.

'It’s been hard work fitting it in with work and and I’ve completely taken over the full front room. I’ve used a lot of household objects. The nuclear reactor in his chest started off as an ashtray.

'It’s still a work in progress. I’ve got a few more ideas for the suit and I don’t know what I’m going to do with it when it’s finished.

'Originally, I just wanted it to be a free-standing model but I’ve had all kinds of requests flying in from people asking if I do parties and the like.

'I’m not sure why I picked Iron Man. I’m a big fan and I think I like the fact that he is not really a superhero, he is just a man with a flying suit. But what a suit - it’s the Ferrari of superhero suits.'



Fright of your life: Pearson's design - which took 14 months to build, scares a young girl at the screening



The Iron Man film fan bought himself a 12in model of actor Robert Downey Jr in the iconic red and gold suit and began with making a super-size helmet – three to be exact – but then could not stop.



It started out as 400 sheets of cardboard which he carefully turned into a 3D structure which he turned into a silicone mould for his fibre-glass suit . It is also fitted with flashing lights for the eyes, hands and chest.



Pearson added: 'It's taken a very long time and has been a gruelling process. I started off by downloading the templates from the internet before making them into cardboard moulds.



'That was when it started to take shape. Once I sorted the moulds out I was able to pull the fibreglass suit from them.



'I've learned a lot along the process and discuss different ideas with people from across the world. I know now that if I was going to do anything like this again it would be much easier. Not sure the missus would be very pleased mind.'

The Hollywood blockbuster featured Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark who invented the superhuman design

Mark’s partner Karen Hopkins, 44, didn’t share his passion at first. She said: ' I thought he was crackers when he first said he was going to build the full suit. I just couldn’t understand it.

' I have moaned a lot about it but seeing the reaction it got was great, even if I did have to sacrifice the use of my front room for more than a year.'

Darren Higgins, 24, took some time out from managing his local supermarket in Bradford to greet eager film goers at the Cineworld complex.

Mark added: 'He is the only person I know who could fit in it. He is around 6ft 2in tall and has a 30in waist. He was a great sport and spent around six hours in the suit.

' We really enjoyed the film too. It was great to see what the new Iron Man suit can do. It looked almost as good as mine so fair play to Tony Stark.'



The suit started out as 400 sheets of cardboard which Mark carefully turned into a 3D structure then fibre-glassed it. It is also fitted with flashing lights for the eyes, hands and chest.