The man behind the mask: Vernon Hills man becomes an Iron Hero
The look on James Speers' face is pure pride and emotion as he talks about his late father, Glen.
His dad, he says, was the first “iron man” in the family. Glen Speers owned Crider Creek Used Cars and Parts of Grandview, Iowa, years ago.
In a twist of fate, James Speers became the second family Iron Man.
Speers is principal and creative director of BaseZero Productions in Schaumburg. It started as a challenge between him and a friend after seeing a midnight showing of “Marvel's Avengers.”
The friend planned to dress up as Thor for Halloween, and he suggested Speers build a suit and go as Iron Man.
The character of Iron Man — Speers calls him the Iron Hero — is now a full-fledged passion with James, who is perfecting his 11th-generation Mark IV Iron Man suit in two years.
It's made from EVA foam that is hand-cut — it takes about 80 hours to perfect — and takes on a realistic metallic look after it's painted.
“I'm not out fighting crime,” Speers says with a laugh. “The suit is made of foam, not iron, and I can't fly to make a quick getaway.”
Speers dons the Iron Man suit for charitable appearances, for which he is not paid.
Still, he's like a rock star. People's faces light up as the Iron Hero walks into the room. Parents elbow each other to have their kids' pictures taken with Iron Man, and they want pictures of themselves as well.
That, says Speers, “is all the reward I need.”
What appeals to Speers about Iron Man is the idea of the difference one individual can make.
“It's not about the money or the power,” he says. “It's about the decision to help others.”
His early Mark IV Iron Man suits rang up a profit on eBay. Now, on his website, www.theironhero.com, you can order your own custom-fitted Iron Man suit — or Speers' latest creation, the War Machine suit.
“Iron Man is my guy” Speers says, “exemplary of what an everyday hero could and should be.”
Speers is often asked whether the Iron Hero has a future.
“I really don't know,” he says. “The cool thing about adventure is not knowing where it is going. Just get on for the ride.”
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