Tales of Suspense
Featuring Iron Man
# 51-60
Tales of Suspense # 51: "The Scarecrow!"   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:  
A carnival entertainer helps Iron Man stop a robbery and he realizes the potential of his talents for crime. The Scarecrow sets his sights on Tony Stark. Despite Iron Man's efforts, the Scarecrow escapes with Stark's secret plans. Iron Man sets up a rematch and prevents the Scarecrow from turning over the plans to America's enemies.

Jay's Notes: 

  • First appearance of the Scarecrow.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 11. 
Tales of Suspense # 52: "The Crimson Dynamo Strikes Again!"   
Writer: Stan Lee/N. Korok 
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis: 
Professor (Crimson Dynamo) Vanko's hard work for Stark Industries prompts the Soviets to send the Madame (Black Widow) Natasha and Boris to kill Stark and Vanko. Madame Natasha keeps Stark busy while Boris kidnaps Vanko and dons the Crimson Dynamo armor. Boris then draws out Iron Man by destroying one of Stark's factory and then defeats the confused Iron Man. Iron Man escapes from the Soviet sub where he was help and frees Vanko. Iron Man gets a rematch with Boris, but it's Vanko was sacrifices himself to destroy Boris and the Crimson Dynamo armor. The Black Widow escapes.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Black Widow.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 12.
  • Death of Professor (Crimson Dynamo) Vanko.
Tales of Suspense # 53: "The Black Widow Strikes Again!"   
Writer: Stan Lee/N. Korok    
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:  
Stark develops an anti-gravity device and the Black Widow steals the device hoping to regain the favor of her Soviet superiors. She goes on a rampage destroying vital U.S. production factories. Iron Man catches with her and her Soviet cronies and destroys the anti-gravity device.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 13.
Tales of Suspense # 54: ""   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:  
  

Jay's Notes: 
 
 
 
Tales of Suspense # 55: "No One Escapes the Mandarin!"   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:  
Iron Man escapes the Mandarin's bonds while the Mandarin, who doesn't know IM is Stark, search his complex for Stark. Iron Man prevents the Mandarin from destroying anymore missiles. IM battles his way through the Mandarin's traps and defeats him. Iron Man destroys the Mandarin's anti-missile ray. 

Jay's Notes: 

  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 15.
Tales of Suspense # 56: "The Uncanny Unicorn!"   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:  
Stark, frustrated with the complications of his dual life, takes some time off from his duties as Iron Man. Unfortunately, the Unicorn, eager to prove himself against Iron Man attacks Stark Industries. Happy is seriously injured and Pepper is taken captive. Stark realizes that he has to live up to his responsibilities and dons the Iron Man armor to track down the Unicorn. He frees Pepper and defeats the Unicorn, who manages to escape.

Jay's Notes: 

  • First appearance of the Unicorn.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 14.
Tales of Suspense # 57: "Hawkeye, the Marksman!"   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Artist: Don Heck  
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Clint Barton, a carnival marksman, witnesses Iron Man's timely prevention of what could have been a deadly carnival ride accident, and decides to try his hand at heroics. Donning a costume and a quiver of specialty arrows, Hawkeye sets out to make his mark. Unfortunately, he prevents a robbery but ends up becoming the suspect. To make matters worst, he meets up with the Black Widow and falls for her. The Black Widow convinces Hawkeye to take on Iron Man and he's more than willing to impress the young woman.  He attacks Iron Man on his home turf and actually defeats him. However, Iron Man catches up with Hawkeye later. The Black Widow is accidentally harmed during their battle and Hawkeye flees and gets her to safety.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Hawkeye. Hawkeye is next seen in Tales of Suspense #60.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 17 and Thunderbolts #39.
Tales of Suspense # 58: "In  Mortal Combat with Captain America!"   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Penciller: Don Heck
Inker: Dick Ayers 
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Chamelon, out to prove himself after his recent defeat by Spider-Man, decides to take on Iron Man. He disguises himself as Captain America and tricks Iron Man into hunting down the real Captain America. Captain America manages to hold his ground against the Golden Avenger until Giant-Man and the Wasp show up with a captured Chamelon who is disguised as Captain America.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 18.
  • Cameo by Giant-Man and the Wasp.
Tales of Suspense # 59: "Battling the Black Knight!"
Writer: Stan Lee   
Artist: Don Heck
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
The Black Knight escapes from prison and sets out to attack Iron Man. Stark suffers a bout of heart weakness, but manages to plug in and restore his health. Iron Man finally shows up and defeats the Black Knight. However, Pepper and Happy are suspicious of IM who covers up for Stark's illness.

Jay's Notes: 

  • Cameo appearance by the Avengers.
  • The Black Knight last seen in Avengers # 6.
  • Reprinted Marvel Collectors' Item Classics # 16.
Tales of Suspense # 60: "Suspected of Murder!"   
Writer: Stan Lee    
Penciller: Don Heck
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Stark is unable to remove the Iron Man armour without risking a fatal heart attack. Meanwhile, Stark's assistants Pepper Potts and Happy Hogun get suspicious since they haven't seen Stark in awhile, and that Iron Man may have had something to do with his disappearance. The Black Widow learns of Stark's disappearance and sends Hawkeye to raid Stark's factory. However, Iron Man stands ready to defend the factory and drives Hawkeye off. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Hawkeye last seen in Tales of Suspense #57.
  • Reprinted in Thunderbolts #39.
  • Cameo by the Thor, Giant-Man, and the Wasp.
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