Suspected of Murder!

Tony Stark has found himself in quite the situation. Fearing that his chest plate can no longer keep him alive independently, he has been forced to wear his Iron Man armor 24/7.[1] This has caused troubles due to his secret identity and now Happy and Pepper are suspicious that Iron Man has done something to their employer. When Pepper and Happy return with more questions for Iron Man about here Tony Stark went, Tony has to think quickly. He tells them that Tony is off on a secret business. This does little to make his employees any less suspicious.

Alone again, Iron Man writes a letter in the name of Tony Stark, hoping that this with quashing any suspicions. However, he is caught going through his own safe when Happy and Pepper return with the authorities. He presents the letter written by Tony Stark and while forensics confirm it is Tony Stark’s handwriting they are suspicious that the letter has no fingerprint and the handwriting appears to be shaky. Annoyed with the constant questions, Iron Man takes off to be alone. He is later contacted by Thor on behalf of the Avengers to find out the truth about Tony Stark’s disappearance. Iron Man pledges on his honor as an Avenger that Tony Stark is fine.

Meanwhile, the disappearance of Tony Stark makes headline news. Hearing the reports, the Black Widow asks Hawkeye to raid Stark Industries for their latest inventions now that Iron Man is gone. Hawkeye agrees to do it, but he doesn’t really like the idea of committing treason. When Hawkeye breaks into Stark Industries, he is caught by security. Fleeing into an office, he then takes Pepper Potts hostage and begins making demands. The news quickly reaches the Avengers, prompting Giant-Man and the Wasp to contact Iron Man and tell him about the hostage situation back at Stark Industries. As Iron Man races there to save Pepper, the Black Widow is found and captured by Russian spies who have been sent to bring her back to their homeland for punishment.

Iron Man ambushes Hawkeye and during their battle, the archer runs low on trick arrows. Blinding Iron Man with a flash arrow, he uses a suction-cup arrow to escape by hitching a ride on a plane leaving La Guarida airport. Hawkeye then drops into the Flushing River before the plane gets to high an altitude. As Hawkeye drops into the water below he is unaware that the plane is carrying his beloved Black Widow.[2]

Back at Stark Industries, security is about to attack Iron Man until Pepper orders them to stop. She has decided to give the hero the benefit of the doubt since he saved her life, but this has not eliminated any suspicion they have over Iron Man’s involvement in Tony Stark’s disappearance.

Recurring Characters

Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, Avengers (Thor, Giant-Man, Wasp)

Continuity Notes

1. Tony has to wear his armored chest plate at all times since Tales of Suspense #39 to keep shrapnel from reaching his heart. This will remain the status quo until Tony gets a heart transplant in Iron Man #19. Tony has been afraid to take off his armor after his chest plate failed last issue.

2. The fate of the Black Widow is revealed in Tales of Suspense #64. Basically, her Russian handlers have called her back to give her a stupid looking costume.

Topical References

• Iron Man’s communicator is a tiny black-and-white television.

• This story has a lot of dated Cold War references. Specifically, Russian spies are called “Reds” and Russia itself is referred to as the “Iron Curtain.”

The Army of Assassins Strikes!

In the jungles of South America, Baron Zemo’s league of assassins have one final test: defeating one of their men who has been trained and dressed as Captain America. When they defeat the impostor, Zemo is impressed and decides it is time to send the assassins to the United States to eliminate Captain America.

In New York City, Captain America and Rick Jones have arrived at a private exhibition on self-defense. Addressing the audience, Captain America tells them that the fight they are about to see is choreographed and not to be alarmed no matter how real it looks. What Captain America doesn’t know is that the trained fighters he hired to choreograph his demonstration have been replaced by Baron Zemo’s assassin squad. When the battle starts, Captain America quickly realizes that the fighters are playing for keeps and that he is in for the fight of his life.

Captain America is able to hold his own until one of the assassins starts attacking Cap with his steel fist, putting the Star-Spangled Avenger on the defensive. Luckily, Rick Jones arrives and lends Captain America a hand. They both takedown the last of the assassins. When one of them tries to blow up Cap with a miniaturized missile, Captain America’s shield protects him.

Later, Baron Zemo tunes into American television broadcasts in the hopes of seeing news about Captain America’s death. Instead, he finds a live address by Captain America himself. The Captain tells his old foe that his assassination attempt was a failure and that if he wants to end things he will have to do it himself. At the end of the transmission, Rick asks Cap is Baron Zemo got his message. Captain America is certain he did and when Zemo finally does strike, he’ll find Captain America ready and waiting.

Recurring Characters

Captain America, Baron Zemo, Rick Jones