It’s taken about a year since the first prototypes were shown and a third of a year since we saw the unpainted sculpt of the final piece in the series, but the Kotobukiya Avengers Now ARTFX+ statues have finally assembled! Though Kotobukiya stole his spotlight away by announcing a red-and-gold Iron Man variant on the same day as his painted premiere, the black-and-gold Marvel Now Kotobukiya Iron Man ARTFX+ statue is now fully revealed and available for order!

When I saw that Adi Granov had illustrated Iron Man in his black and gold Marvel Now Iron Man armor for the artwork that the Kotobukiya Avengers Now! figures set is based upon, I was legitimately surprised. The black armor is the correct canonical armor for Tony Stark to be wearing as part of this set, but I was pretty taken aback that Kotobukiya was passing up the “sure thing” sales of a red and gold Iron Man in the ARTFX+ Avengers line.

As it turns out, Kotobukiya actually decided to have their cake and eat it too (so to speak). On the same day as they finally published official photos of the gold and black ARTFX+ Iron Man statue, they also revealed that a Kotobukiya Avengers Iron Man Red Variant statue was on the way.

That’s a nice PR move for Kotobukiya, who are letting fans who might prefer the red version know that it’s coming upfront, although it does make me a bit saddened knowing that the black and gold Iron Man Kotobukiya statue sales will probably suffer now as a result.

I have a hunch that I’m going to be in the huge minority here, but I actually really like the aesthetic of the black and gold Iron Man armor from the Marvel NOW! comic books. The colors of this armor remind me of my second-favorite Iron Man movie armor (the Iron Man Mark 41 Bones armor), and it doesn’t hurt that this Iron Man armor is also featured in the Marvel Puzzle Quest game that I’ve wasted way, way too much time playing on my iPhone when I’m supposed to be working.

The Kotobukiya Iron Man ArtFX+ statue is now available for pre-order, and is expected to be released in December 2014/January 2015. The Iron Man Red Variant statue is expected to ship out the same month, so you’ll be able to complete your Kotobukiya Avengers statues lineup regardless of which of Tony Stark’s armors you choose to fill out the set!

I’m definitely interested to find out how successful this standard black and gold Marvel Now Iron Man Kotobukiya statue sells compared to the red variant! Marvel collectors: Which Iron Man statue color scheme will you be opting for to complete your Avengers Now Kotobukiya statues lineup?