Tales of Suspense #97
The Coming of Whiplash!
Following his battle with the Grey Gargoyle, Iron Man has collapsed to the ground because his batteries have run down and the strain on his heart has become too much. Stark International’s SHIELD liaison, Jasper Sitwell, tries to remove Iron Man’s helmet but it won’t budge. He then tries a uni-directional explosive to blast it off. When this doesn’t work, he then goes looking for Tony Stark as he is the only one who knows how to get it off, unaware that Stark and Iron Man are the same person.
Meanwhile, aboard a Maggia gambling boat past American territorial waters, Morgan Stark has gotten deep in debt. He is taken into the submarine headquarters of the Big M to discuss how he is going to pay the Maggia back.[1] Along the way, he hears the sound of a whip cracking and asks what that could be. The mobsters assure Morgan that he’ll figure out soon enough. Morgan Stark then promises to pay the Big M back by getting money from his cousin, Tony Stark. However, the Big M knows that Tony is through bailing out his cousin. That’s when on of the Big M’s minions informs them of the situation with Iron Man over at Stark Industries. Morgan then convinces them that he can use his family connection to bring Iron Man to them. Morgan is then introduced to the Maggia’s newest operative, Whiplash, who can use his trademark weapon with enough force to shatter metal. The Big M warns Stark that if he fails to bring them Iron Man they will have Whiplash deal with him.
Morgan is then brought back to shore and he races to Stark Industries in his car. There he convinces the security guards that he can take Iron Man to his cousin and lugs the Avenger into the back seat of his car. Still conscious, Iron Man overhears Morgan gloating about how easy it will be to turn him over to the Maggia. The car ride provides a reprieve of sorts, as Iron Man is able to plug into the car’s power source to recharge his batteries. However, Iron Man still is on borrowed time until he can get a proper charge and plays possum until he is brought before the Big M. That’s when Iron Man springs to life and begins trouncing the Maggia hoods in the room. However, the Big M is able to close a steel shutter between themselves and Iron Man. That’s when Whiplash enters the room and introduces himself.
Recurring Characters
Iron Man, Whiplash, Jasper Sitwell, Morgan Stark, the Maggia (The Big M)
Continuity Notes
The Big M’s identity in this story is concealed. They are identified as Whitney Forst in Iron Man #1. However, Whitney Frost is not her real name. Her birth name was actually Giuletta Nefaria, as revealed in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #6.
Topical Reference
Iron Man uses a cigarette lighter in the back seat of Morgan’s car to recharge his batteries. This should be considered topical since back seat cigarette lighters were eventually removed as a safety precaution because kids usually end up in the back seat of cars. One could assume that instead of a cigarette lighter, Iron Man uses a USB port since those are becoming more ubiquitous in cars, particularly in the back seat.
And So it Begins —!
Captain America answers a call for help on a nearby rooftop only to find it boobytrapped with mines. This trap was sprung by a man named Mauler, who is part of a local crime syndicate. Despite the element of surprise, Mauler and his henchman are no match for Captain America’s fighting prowess. When the battle is over, Steve Rogers once again reflects that he is never able to let his guard down because his life is always in danger.
Meanwhile, in the African nation of Wakanda, the Black Panther checks on one of his outposts. There he discovers that someone has wiped everyone out. Using his tracking abilities, the Panther finds the assassins responsible. Although he has the element of surprise, he is quickly blasted by one of the armed mercenaries.
Back in the United States, Captain America turns Mauler and his associate to the police. At the police station, a doctor treats Steve’s minor wounds. The chief of police has grown concerned that the syndicate continues to go after Captain America and suggests that Rogers takes a vacation until things quiet down. Accepting a ride home, Steve tells the chief that he’ll take his recommendation under advisement. Captain America knows the chief is right but doesn’t know where he could go. Still, he wants to be around just in case the woman he loves, Agent 13, is finally ready to leave SHIELD and settle down with him.[1]
However, at that moment, Agent 13 is preparing for her next mission. She has intercepted and tied up a female spy named Irma Kruhl. Disguising herself as the spy, Agent 13 then leaves for her assignment which takes her into the jungles of Africa.
Meanwhile, Captain America hears a loud noise coming from the roof of his building and decides to go and investigate. There he discovers a Wakandan aircraft sent by the Black Panther. The Panther has survived his run-in with the assassins and has called for Captain America’s aid because his attackers are connected to the Avenger. However, the T’Challa says that he will explain further when Cap arrives. The Avenger agrees to provide aid and activates the ship’s autopilot to bring him to the reclusive African nation.[2]
Recurring Characters
Captain America, Black Panther, Sharon Carter
Continuity Notes
Agent 13 is not mentioned by name in this story. She is identified as Sharon Carter in Captain America #103. Steve acts as though he doesn’t know her name at this point. This contradicts a later story in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #1 which shows that Steve knew Sharon’s real name following the events of Tales of Suspense #94. While Sharon had revealed her real name, one could assume that she did so without SHIELD authorization and Steve is merely pretending not to know her name in case someone at SHIELD is listening.
Captain America’s connection to the assassins does not become apparent until next issue when it appears they are employed by Baron Zemo next issue. However, Helmut Zemo had recently died in Avengers #15. It is later revealed that this man is actually Franz Gruber, a one-time henchman of Zemo in Captain America #100. Gruber is unnamed in this story arc. His name is given in the Avengers and Thunderbolts novel published in 1999. Per the Official Index to the Marvel Universe: Iron Man, Captain America, and Avengers all confirm that this name is considered part of continuity even if the novel might not be.
