Tales of Suspense #65
When Titans Clash
Tony Stark is miserable because he can’t be with Pepper Potts. Instead, he has decided to make the budding romance between her and Happy Hogan flourish by leaving town to inspect one of his mid-western munitions plants. When Pepper and Happy offer to go with him, he orders them to stay behind and hold the fort while he is gone. While on-site, Tony demonstrates how his new missile guidance system works to intercept and take down enemy attacks.
While Stark is away, a criminal named Weasle Wills breaks into the Stark Industries plant in New York hoping to steal something he can sell for a bundle. Breaking into Stark’s office, Weasle comes across the briefcase that Tony uses to store his Iron Man armor. Due to the fact that Stark left in such a hurry, his anti-theft devices were not enabled and Willis easily opens the case. Realizing what he had just found, Weasle decides to use the Iron Man armor for his own personal gain. Putting on the Iron Man armor to leave Stark Industries unimpeded, Weasle returns to his hideout and begins figuring out how the armor works. Once he masters the armor’s use, Weasle Willis goes on a crime spree leaving the authorities to think that Iron Man has become a criminal.
When the news reaches Tony Stark he realizes what happened and rushes back to New York. Once back at Stark Industries, Tony recovers the original Iron Man armor that he had long abandoned and puts it on to track down and stop the impostor.[1] Although this older armor is heavier and uses more power to operate, Tony hopes that its superior strength will give him the edge he needs against his impostor. Contacting Weasle through the armor’s communications system, the real Iron Man challenges him to a battle back at Stark Industries. Wills, figuring he has the edge over Tony Stark agrees. By the time Weasle arrives, the entire facility has been evacuated so the pair can fight uninterrupted.
As the pair battle, Tony uses his experience against Weasle in the hopes of getting Weasle to lose his temper. The gambit works and Wills begins attacking the real Iron Man in a blind rage. Eventually, both Weasle and Tony drain the batteries down to the point where a battery recharge is needed. Tony then gambles his own life as Weasle tries to plug his armor into a nearby outlet only to discover that the main power to the facility has been shut down. This takes the last of the power in Wills armor, leaving him immobilized. The true Iron Man then retakes his armor and calls the authorities.
Tony’s fears that Weasle will reveal his true identity prove to be unfounded as Weasle has suffered a total breakdown and has come to think of himself as the true Iron Man and seems to no longer remember Tony Stark’s secret identity.
Recurring Characters
Iron Man, Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts
Continuity Notes
Tony Stark wore this armor from Tales of Suspense #39 until 48 when he replaced it with the version of his trademark red and yellow armor. The way Tony talks, it sounds like that there are only two versions of the Iron Man armor. However, per the All-New Iron Manual #1, the suit worn by Weasle Wills in this story is actually the 3rd model of Iron Man armor that Tony started wearing circa Tales of Suspense #54. The differences between models 2 and 3 is mostly cosmetic.
Topical References
The “revolutionary” components to Startech in this story are identified as transistors, which are now in every piece of electronics so that’s not very impressive anymore.
The Red Skull Strikes!
It’s 1941, and Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes have returned Major Croy to his home. When they suggest standing guard outside the building since the Major is involved in an important project. Croy dismisses the idea as well as Rogers, ordering him to return to Camp Lehigh right away. Later that evening, Croy’s apartment is invaded by the Nazi operative known as the Red Skull. Ambushing the Major, the Skull then uses a knock out gas that will wipe Croy’s memory for months.[1] Not long after this, the authorities arrive on the scene and begin looking for clues left by Major Coy’s attackers. Among the military staff on-site are Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. Slipping into another room, the pair change into Captain America and Bucky.
The pair go outside to look for clues and Bucky spots a robbery in progress. Following the thieves, he discovers their hideout is a den of Nazi spies under the command of the Red Skull. Bucky is caught and taken prisoner. Luckily, Captain America comes crashing in and saves his partner. However, in the ensuing battle the Red Skull manages to escape through a secret door.
The following day, at Camp Lehigh, Steve Rogers is part of an honor guard welcoming John Maxon from the Maxon Aircraft Corporation.[2] The soldiers are then given a demonstration of Maxon’s new military aircraft. However, one of the engines blows up while the plane is in the air and crashes. Rogers is horrified that Maxon is more concerned over his reputation than the lives lost in the crash, but is reprimanded by General Curtis for speaking his mind. Later, in his tent, Steve tells James about what happened and they both suspect sabotage and decide to look into it as Captain America and Bucky. When they go to the home of General Curtis, they find that he too has become a victim of the Red Skull.
They catch the Skull attacking the General’s maid and quickly knock him to the ground. When Captain America unmasks the Red Skull he is shocked to learn that he is none other than John Maxon.[3] Unfortunately, before Cap and Bucky can get Maxon into police custody, he manages to break free and escapes under a hail of gunfire from his minions. Although Maxon escaped, Captain America discovers his notebook which listed targets. Interestingly enough, his next targets were none other than Captain America and Bucky. They are pleased they foiled Maxon’s plans and vow to get him next time.[4]
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Bucky, Red Skull (Maxon)
Continuity Notes
This story is adapted from “The Riddle of the Red Skull” from Captain America Comics #1
In the original version of this story, the Red Skull kills his victims. The change to using memory wiping gas doesn’t really make much sense but was probably imposed due to the Comics Code Authority.
In Captain America Comics #1, Maxon’s first name is identified as George, not John.
As we’ll discover next issue, Maxon is not the real Red Skull, but an Amerian operative authorized to use his likeness.
Captain America and Bucky encounter Maxon again in Captain America Comics #3, Maxon dies during that encounter.