IS it a bird? Is it a plane?

No, it’s Superman. At least, it used to be. Another comic book hero has taken his place in the skies – Iron Man.

His suit may not be fashionable – indeed it’s a little clunky – but it’s highly functional.

And now you too can be Iron Man – all except the flying bit, that is – as an invitation to Become Iron Man has been issued by Marvel and Disney.

We last saw Iron Man, AKA industrialist turned superhero Tony Stark, leading a posse of Marvel superheroes in Avengers Assemble, a movie that has taken millions at the box office.

Now he is going solo again in Iron Man 3 with Robert Downey Jr once more starring as the man in the metal suit.

And what a suit. It’s a scenestealer with even more amazing properties than before. All of which are needed as he battles the evil Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley.

Two scenes shown at an exclusive screening on Tuesday showcased the properties of the suit as well as the sardonic humour with which Downey imbues the character, even when his clifftop Malibu mansion is being blasted to smithereens in a rocket attack.

Which is where Become Iron Man comes in, with an interactive experience, developed in this country, but going global as the film opens across the world next month.

Fans can step into Tony Stark’s shoes – or should that be iron boots? – as he tests the new Mark XLII armour.

The Become Iron Man experience will be at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead, tomorrow and on Saturday.

People stand in front of a big screen and the armour attaches itself to them using the computer wizardry, or body-mapping motion sensor technology as it is known on the trade.

“Test Pilots” will be greeted by Stark Industries technicians and guided by Stark’s computerised personal assistant, Jarvis.

He’s a bossy sort, forever telling you what to do as the armour is assembled on your body. And I have to say, I flinched when the metallic codpiece came flying at the pilot and attached itself with an almighty thud.

There’s a test flight from Stark’s lab and a chance to try out those repulsors that fight off unwelcome projectiles.

If you feel like it, Jarvis even provides some music for a little dance, although the sight of Iron Man’s moves would clear any dance floor in a second.

Shareable photographic evidence will be captured throughout the experience.

To take part, go to becomeironman.com The attraction is open from 10am to 6pm tomorrow and 11am to 5pm on Saturday.

  • Iron Man 3, starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, will open in cinemas on April 25.