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Tales of Suspense #80

When Fall the Mighty!

Featuring: Iron Man
Release: May 10, 1966
Cover: August 1966
12 cents
Stan Lee, Sovereign of Script
Gene Colan, Prince of Pencilling
Gary Michaels, Imperator of Inking
Artie Simek, Lord of Lettering
12 pages

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Tales of Suspense #79, Story B	Reading order	Tales of Suspense #80, Story B
Tales of Suspense #79, Story B	Tales of Suspense	Tales of Suspense #80, Story B

At last! I’m at the peak of my power! This is the moment that makes all the agony of the past more than worthwhile! This is the supreme sensation which no other living being can ever experience– the feeling which none can ever fully comprehend– the triumphant moment when the strength of a thousand transistors flows thru me and I stand once more ready for battle– as the invincible Iron Man!

Namor attacks Iron Man. Superheroes do that when the meet, generally. And Namor has always walked that superhero/supervillain line.

Superhero brawls are a well-established trope by this point. A one-on-one battle between Namor and Iron Man was due. Of course they’ve fought before, but then Iron Man had all the Avengers on his side. And Namor still held them at bay.

The battle will exploit their respective weaknesses. They both need the occasional charge. Iron Man needs to plug in. Namor needs water.

Tales of Suspense #79, Story B

The Red Skull Lives!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: April 12, 1966
Cover: July 1966
12 cents
Script: Smilin’ Stan!
Art: Jolly Jack
Inks: Frantic Frankie
Lettering: Agonized Artie
10 pages

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Tales of Suspense #79	Reading order	Tales of Suspense #80
Tales of Suspense #79	Tales of Suspense	Tales of Suspense #80

My oldest enemy! The most dangerous menace to freedom and democracy that the world has ever known!! Then– this must be why fate has spared me so long–?! It’s my destiny to battle him– to stand between the Red Skull and free men everywhere!

Well, that’s a compelling title.

Costumed assassins attack a power plant in the heart of New York.

They seemed to expect Captain America to show up. How do villains set these traps to target a particular superhero in New York. “If I commit a crime in New York I’m bound to attract precisely the superhero I intend!” Green Goblin just had a bank robbery, trusting Spider-Man would show up to foil it. Would Daredevil turning up ruin these plans?

But nobody but Cap saw these villains. Is he going insane?

Tales of Suspense #79

Disaster!

Featuring: Iron Man
Release: April 12, 1966
Cover: July 1966
12 cents
Drama-drenched script by: Stan Lee
Power-packed pencilling by: Gene Colan
Fantasy-filled inking by: Jack Abel
Twelve pages of lettering by: Artie Simek
12 pages

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Tales to Astonish #81, Story B	Reading order	Tales of Suspense #79, Story B
Tales of Suspense #78, Story B	Tales of Suspense	Tales of Suspense #79, Story B

Sometimes I feel as though this iron head shield actually has a life of its own! I find myself thinking of Iron Man as someone else– almost as if it’s a separate entity– as though we’re really two men!

This is all getting confusing (to me, at least). Hulk has just escaped from the subterranean realm where Mole Man and Tyrannus were at war. The Secret Empire have employed Boomerang to steal the Orion Missile. Phase 1 of his plan was to kidnap Betty Ross. To save Namor, Dorma agreed to marry Krang. Namor only knows half this story, and ruthlessly pursues Dorma and Krang to the surface. Nick Fury recently teamed up with Captain America against Them. Fury suspects Them is connected to the supposedly benign scientific organization called AIM. Iron Man was kidnapped by Mandarin and brought to the Orient to fight Ultimo. He thus missed his summons to Congress, and has had his contracts revoked, factories closed, finances impounded, while a warrant has been placed for his arrest. This is all thanks to the zealous Senator Byrd. Before his factories were closed, Stark Industries was able to create a special suit for Colonel John Jameson, infected by space spores.

Of course, lots of other stuff is happening around the Marvel Universe, but that’s the most relevant for the next several issues.

We find Tony on the edge of collapse, recent events being a strain on his heart.

He’s in need of a charge.

Pepper and Happy are both not home. Are they out together? Tony is jealous.

Tales to Astonish #81, Story B

The Stage is Set!

Featuring: Hulk
Release: April 5, 1966
Cover: July 1966
12 cents
Hulkable script by: Stan Lee
Hulksome layout by: Jack Kirby
Hulkorious art by: Bill Everett
Hulkated lettering by: Sam Rosen
Costumes by Tibor of Transylvania!
10 pages

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Tales to Astonish #81	Reading order	Tales of Suspense #79
Tales to Astonish #81	Tales to Astonish	Tales to Astonish #82

“His boomerang is causing a rock slide!”
“It’s returning to him like an arrow!”

A lot happening in this issue. For Hulk, he’s finishing up his encounter with Tyrannus and Mole Man from last issue. But in the background, important villains are being introduced. They will set up a confusing mess of coming issues.

The secret empire known as Hydra has fallen. Nick Fury and Captain America have been having trouble with a new secret empire called Them, which may be connected to AIM. Now we meet a new secret empire, known as, er, the Secret Empire.

Tales to Astonish #81

When a Monarch Goes Mad!

When a Monarch Goes Mad!
Featuring: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner
Release: April 5, 1966
Cover: July 1966
12 cents
Amazing story: Stan Lee
Astonishing art: Gene Colan
Astounding inking: Dick Ayers
Agonizing lettering: Sam Rosen
12 pages

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Tales to Astonish #80, Story B	Reading order	Tales to Astonish #81, Story B
Tales to Astonish #80, Story B	Tales to Astonish	Tales to Astonish #81, Story B

The color of one’s skin is but a chance accident of fate! It alters nothing else about the person!

Namor was fighting a Behemoth last issue, and Krang convinced Lady Dorma that Namor’s only chance for survival was for him to relinquish his control on the Behemoth, which he would only do if Dorma agreed to wed him.

This issue picks up right where that left off. Dorma had told Vashti she was to wed Krang, but not why. And Vashti has just delivered the news to Namor.

Namor declares the mention of Dorma’s to name to be treason. Rational. Namor claims he has the fury of youth. He had been a youth 25 years earlier when introduced in 1939. Not sure how long he can use that excuse. Vashti notes Namor had been the gentlest and noblest of monarchs. I am not sure that is true.

Tales to Astonish #80, Story B

They Dwell in the Depths!

Featuring: Hulk
Release: March 3, 1966
Cover: June 1966
12 cents
Script: Stan Lee, D.H. (Doctor of Hulkishness)
Layouts: Jack Kirby, M.H. (Master of Hulkability)
Art: Bill Everett, B.H. (Bachelor of Hulkosity)
Lettering: Artie Simek, P.H. (The Pride of Hulkdom)
10 pages

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Thor #139, Story B	Reading order	Tales to Astonish #81
Tales to Astonish #80	Tales to Astonish	Tales to Astonish #81

There is no Banner! Only the Hulk! I’m the Hulk! The Hulk!

At this point, continuity becomes complicated, and things will move fast. Let’s recall where we were.

We read the first half of this issue a while back. Namor had defeated the Behemoth, but returned in victory to find Dorma had fled with Krang, and that they were to wed. She agreed to the marriage only to save Namor’s life. But Namor doesn’t know that. So now he’s angry.

Hulk just had a fight with Hercules.

Thor defeated the Troll army in a war. Spider-Man bought a bike and met a girl named Mary Jane. Daredevil escaped from the Owl’s trap, but had not been around to defend the Rhino. The Avengers have returned from a South American adventure (though this may lead to a small continuity hiccup we’ll discuss). Hank and Jan have recently rejoined the team. Wanda and Pietro remain in Europe recovering their powers. Dr. Strange has defeated Dormammu (well, Eternity did most of the work). Iron Man defeated Ultimo and returned home to find Senator Byrd had closed Stark factories, but not before they were able to make a suit to contain John Jameson’s newfound powers.

The Fantastic Four and X-Men are mostly doing their own thing lately, without much interaction with the other heroes.

Most relevantly, Nick Fury had warned Captain America about the threat of an organization of scientists named Them in Tales of Suspense #78. Meanwhile, in Strange Tales #146, an organization of scientists called AIM was offering to help the US government with weapons technology, but only if they removed Nick Fury as the head of SHIELD.

Our story opens with Hulk moping about not having friends. When Tyrannus pulls him beneath the surface.

We met Tyrannus in Incredible Hulk #5. Tyrannus has long ago been banished beneath the surface by Merlin; there he found the Fountain of Youth, and the race called the Tyrannoids who now serve him. A race similar to those Tyrannoids (but a little different-looking) was also revealed to serve the Mole Man in Fantastic Four #22. Several people claim to rule the underworld, including Kala, and the Lava Men.

Thor #139, Story B

The Secret of the Mystic Mountain!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: February 2, 1967
Cover: April 1967
12 cents
A Stan Lee and Jack Kirby rhapsodic rabelaisian romp
Inked by Vince Colletta
Lettered by Art Simek
5 pages

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Thor #139	Reading order	Tales to Astonish #80
Thor #139	Thor	Thor #140

There can be no doubt– ’tis Zanadu, wherein the accursed Mogul dwells!! Zanadu– whose hidden spires have been sought for ages– sought by those whose souls strive for justice– and for righteous retribution!! Zanadu– where the murderous Mogul rules with power absolute! But, he shall rule no longer! This doth Hogun swear!!

At last Thor and his three warrior friends find the Mystic Mountain.

Thor #139

To Die Like a God!

Featuring: Thor
Release: February 2, 1967
Cover: April 1967
12 cents
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inked with the prowess of Vince Colletta
Lettered with the pen-points of Sam Rosen
16 pages

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Thor #138, Story B	Reading order	Thor #139, Story B
Thor #138, Story B	Thor	Thor #139, Story B

Mighty are the warriors of Asgard! Though hopelessly outnumbered… though faced with alien weapons… they did not succumb! Never hath Orikal seen the like!

“To Die Like a God!” I find that a compelling title and cover image.

At the end of last issue, Thor’s hammer was stolen, which means he will change back to Don Blake in 60 seconds. Thor then gave a long and melancholy speech, which must have taken most of that 60 seconds. As this issue opens with him still being Thor, this must be only a couple seconds later.

Thor #138, Story B

The Quest for the Mystic Mountain!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: January 3, 1967
Cover: March 1967
12 cents
A Stan Lee and Jack Kirby super-spectacular
Inking: Vince Colletta
Lettering: Sam Rosen
5 pages

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Thor #138	Reading order	Thor #139
Thor #138	Thor	Thor #139

If he wouldst fight as valiantly as he doth snore…

Last issue we learned Hogun’s origin, and met his arch-nemesis, Mogul of the Mystic Mountain. Hogun and his friends now seek the legendary Mountain.

Thor #138

The Flames of Battle!

Featuring: Thor
Release: January 3, 1967
Cover: March 1967
12 cents
Garnished with grandeur by Stan (The Man) Lee and Jack (King) Kirby
Inked by: Vince (The Prince) Colletta
Lettered by: Artie (The Smartie) Simek
16 pages

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Thor #137, Story B	Reading order	Thor #138, Story B
Thor #137, Story B	Thor	Thor #138, Story B

To thine avenging master, eternal Mjolnir!

While they get a different nickname every issue, these nicknames we’ve seen several times and they are the nicknames which will endure. Stan The Man Lee. And Jack King Kirby.

An army of Trolls attacks Asgard, while Ulik attacks Manhattan. Thor has chosen to confront Ulik to save Sif and Midgard.