Fanlore:Featured Article Archives/2023: Week 51
Man of Iron is a 1981 never-used script for Blake's 7's fourth season. It was written by Paul Darrow, the actor who portrayed Kerr Avon.
Fans have been highly critical of the script, citing its poor writing and characterization. Fans also thought it was boring as well as silly with its inclusion of pump action shotguns, robots, and bubble baths.
While the script generates almost universal negative comments, fans have turned it into a highly popular convention activity in the form of dramatic turkey readings. These have taken place since 2001 at the con, Redemption.
Fans of Avon/Vila also appreciated what they felt to be Darrow's promotion of that pairing.
Not to be daunted by negativity, eight years after he wrote, "Man of Iron", Darrow wrote a backstory for his character in the for-profit novel, Avon: A Terrible Aspect. That story, like "Man of Iron," was also highly panned by fans.