The Menace of the Monster-Master!!

Having traveled to Japan, Iron Man puts on a demonstration of Stark Industries newest tractor beam technology. However, this is to show the potential destructive capabilities of such a device to explain why Stark is not sharing the technology. Observing the demonstration is scientist Goro Watanabe, his daughter Fujiko and his assistant Toru Tarakato. They are all greatly concerned about the American made invention, particularly Fujiko whose dislikes the relationship Japan holds with the United States. Despite this, Toru suggests that they get Iron Man’s assistance with Project Delta.

Goro agrees and he asks Iron Man to accompany them on their research. Project Delta is the investigation of strange energy readings they have been detected coming from a barren island off the Sea of Japan. Iron Man is interested in going along out of fear that this might be some sort of espionage coming from neighboring China. Fujiko dismisses this as nothing more than American prejudices, but her protests are ignored. As they sail to the island, Toru tells Iron Man about an ancient legend about the island being the home of Zoga, a demonic creature that is said to lived there long ago. As they approach the island, the Japanese scientists begin scanning it with their equipment, determining that the strange energy signature is coming from the island’s volcano.

When the arrive on shore, Iron Man flies ahead to investigate while the rest of the party travels through the thick jungle. Toru races off and is lost in the jungle by the others. As they search for him, they run into a massive dragon creature that they believe is Zoga. Iron Man tries to fight the creature, but it proves too powerful for him to stop. The creature then destroys their ship before disappearing. Luckily, the rescue helicopter on board managed to escape, enabling Iron Man and the others to avoid being stranded. However, there is no sign of where Toru had gone.

Meanwhile, Zoga lands on another part of the island which is occupied by Chinese soldiers. As it turns out, Zoga is a machine disguised as the legendary creature. It is piloted by a man in traditional samurai armor who calls himself the Monster-Maker. The Monster-Maker has no love for the American presence in his homeland and is working with the Chinese to stage a take over of the country and place himself as the ruler.

By this time, Iron Man and his allies have returned to Japan where they try to warn the locals of the threat posed by Zoga. Unfortunately, nobody believes them and dismiss the threat posed by the monster. When Goro Watanabe returns home he finds his daughter and wonders if she had been cooped up inside all day. She is deeply upset to learn that Toru was lost during the expedition until he turns up at their doorstep alive and well. He tells them that one of the lifeboats was undamaged by Zoga’s attack and was able to use it to return home after he was left behind.

Elsewhere, Tony Stark is trying to find a way to boost the power of Iron Man’s repulsor rays or some other means to stop Zoga in the event that the monster attacks Japan. When the monster attacks, Tony Stark arranges for materials for a device to counteract the monster’s attack on the city to be put into motion while he fights the monster as Iron Man. Goro Watanabe and his daughter soon arrive with a device that can reflect Zoga’s eye-beams back at the monster. Struck by its own attack, Zoga crashes to the ground where Iron Man and the others discover that it was just a machine. The then pull the Monster-Master from the wreckage and unmask him. They are surprised to discover that the Monster-Master was none other than Toru, whose dying words are still about his desire to conquer Japan and drive the Americans from his country. Iron Man offers the Watanabe’s his apologies and walks away wondering when humanity will ever put aside their differences and stop fighting one another.

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, Goro Watanabe, Fujiko Watanabe

Topical References

• This story was written at a time where there was still a lot of animosity toward the United States presence in Japan following their surrender at the end of World War II. A lot of this had to do with the fact that America dropped two nukes on Japan to end the war, killing somewhere in the ballpark of 200 thousand people. These days, Japan has strong ties to the United States due to the increase concerns over China. That said, any implied post-war animosity Fujiko has toward America should be considered topical.

• This story uses a lot of old Cold War era references for China, particularly calling it “Red China”. These references should be considered topical.

• Likewise, the leader of China is referred to as Chairman in this story. This was the title given to the leader of the Communist Party. The position was abolished in 1982 to prevent an individual from holding more power than the party itself. The role of chairman has since been replaced with that of the General Secretary, a role that has grown more powerful that — depending how you look at it — isn’t much different than the former Chairmen. Anyway, references to the leader of China being a Chairman in this story are also topical.

• Iron Man makes a comment about how Zoga reminds him of Godzilla, the popular Japanese monster who has appeared in many films since 1954’s Godzilla. While the movie monster will eventually appear in the Marvel Universe in his own series (which is part of continuity to boot), Iron Man is referring to the movies not the actual creature that will later appear in Marvel Comics. As such you could consider its reference here to be topical even though Godzilla films are still being made to this day and the creature still maintains a cult following.