Tony Stark the First Iron Man? Not By a Long Shot!

Audiences gearing up for the May 2 launch of the new IRON MAN movie, including those fans who have loyally followed the Marvel Comics super-hero for years, may be surprised to learn that Tony Stark – the guy who dons the cool armor to become the Invincible Iron Man – is not the first to bear that name.

In the German forest of Kottenforst, there’s another Iron Man – once who has been there for centuries. “Der Eiserne Man” (as he’s called) isn’t really a man at all, though. It’s simply an unexplained enigma.

For some reason – and no one has been able to explain why this should be – in the midst of this forest, there is a metal bar made of iron that stands about 4’10” above ground and which is sunk much deeper into the group – some sources claiming it goes down 90 feet.

It serves no discernible purpose. Some claim it must be a marker, but there’s nothing in the area that really calls for marking. And even if it is a marker, why the need to bury it so abominably deep in the ground?

The Iron Man is first mentioned in a document in 1625, but it’s believed to be older than that – possible centuries older. And despite having stood in the rain and snow for at least 4 centuries, there is remarkably little rust on this Iron Man.

Several legends are connected to this peculair object, including a myth that a girl can find her perfect mate if she circles that Iron Man 3 times at midnight and then kisses it.

And there are many who consider this Iron Man further evidence of alien visitation to Earth, saying that only a mind alien to our planet could discern the purpose for this strange figure.

We may never know the answer to this riddle – unless, perhaps, Tony Stark decides to tackle it in a sequel to his hoped-for blockbuster.