Tales of Suspense #75, Story B

30 Minutes to Live!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: December 9, 1965
Cover: March 1966
12 cents
Stan Lee, script
Jack Kirby, layout
Dick Ayers, pencil
J. Tartaglione, inks
Artie Simek, lettering
Irving Forbush, cheerleader
10 pages

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But, there was one other! Our lives touched for only a short time– but I’ve never forgotten her! I can still remember our final date– when she whispered to me thru trembling lips… “I’ll wait till you return, Steve! No matter how long– no matter what happens– I’ll wait for you, my darling…!”

We read this issue’s Iron Man story a little while ago, in which Happy had turned into a Freak. We saved this story to make sure it tied into to the issue of Strange Tales that referenced it.

It was a tricky call for reading order, as I don’t like to separate issues, so I’d prefer to have read this story with the Iron Man story, and continuity-wise, the issue of Strange Tales we’re tying into doesn’t fit in where we left off with the Iron Man story. But I just couldn’t find a good way to juggle all the things I’m juggling to assemble a reading order.

This is a good comic with lots going on to talk about. I had to make a checklist for myself to ensure I covered the 10 most important points.

Though we’d taken a pause in reading Cap’s story, there is no break between the beginning of this story and the end of the last. As we open, Cap is hurtling toward the sea after the defeat of the Sleepers.

Except last seen, he had a working parachute. Sometime between the issues, his parachute seems to have failed, so we get a dramatic opening.

We cut to some shadowy figures observing a test of Inferno 42. Nick Fury was aware of this item and had sent an agent to retrieve it. We learned this in Strange Tales #142. Also in that story, Fixer referred to a mysterious organization that was his benefactor, known as Them. Is that who these shadowy figures are?

Back to Cap, we get a great moment. The sailors are in awe of him. One had idolized him as a child.

I have a notion in my head of who these characters are, formed from reading decades of comics beyond these. Cap inspiring awe in those around him is part of my basic image of Cap. But it’s not necessarily something we’ve seen a lot of in these early comics. We did see examples in Cap’s return in Avengers #4. But it’s not yet that common, so every such example is notable, as together they will form the basis for that aspect of Cap’s character.

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Tales of Suspense #70, Story B

If This Be Treason!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: July 8, 1965
Cover: October 1965
12 cents
Story by Stan Lee
Layouts by Jack Kirby
Lettering by S. Rosen
Art by George Tuska
10 pages

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My own nation has refused to recognize my talents! But the Nazis are willing to pay me handsomely for my help!

We get a new artist, George Tuska. “One of the giants from the golden age of comics”, says Lee. As with most new artists, Lee still needs Kirby to lay out the story for them.

Tuska has worked in the industry since 1939, and became well known in the 1950s for his stellar work on crime comics. His first work with Marvel was in 1949. Lately, he’s been focused on newspaper strips, having taken over Buck Rogers in 1959. Here’s a sampling of his earlier work.

  • Zanzibar the Magician, Mystery Men Comics #1, Fox, 1939
  • Tom Barry of the Royal Mounted, Wonderworld Comics #4, Fox, 1939
  • Cosmic Carson, Science Comics #1, Fox, 1940
  • Shark Brodie, Fight Comics #1, Fiction House, 1940
  • 64 Pages of New Captain Marvel Adventures #2, Fawcett, 1941
  • Uncle Sam Quarterly #3, Quality, 1942
  • Crime Does Not Pay #48, Lev Gleason, 1946
  • Casey – Crime Photographer #1, Marvel, 1949
  • My Love #2, Marvel, 1949
  • Strange Tales #1, Marvel, 1951
  • Kid Colt Outlaw #18, Marvel, 1952
  • War Adventures #1, Marvel, 1952

And here’s an example of his work on Buck Rogers.

Back to Captain America now. They Greymoor Castle saga continues.

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Tales of Suspense #69, Story B

Midnight in Greymoor Castle!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: June 8, 1965
Cover: September 1965
12 cents
Script by: Friendly Stan Lee
Layouts by: Frolicksome Jack Kirby
Rendering by: Frivolous Dick Ayers
Lettering by: Fearless Artie Simek
10 pages

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Cedric, even if you care nothing for yourself or me– think of your country! You’re betraying us all!

Kirby does the layouts. He’s been doing a lot of that this month as he is over-stretched. Ayers is credited with the rendering. The difference from the previous issues with proper Kirby art really shows.

The plot here is that a scientist has a radiation experiment the Nazis can use to kill Captain America and Bucky. But it will only work if they are first helpless captives. At which point a gun would probably suffice.

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Tales of Suspense #65, Story B

The Red Skull Strikes!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: February 12, 1965
Cover: May 1965
12 cents
By: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inking: Chic Stone
Lettering: S. Rosen
10 pages

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As with the last two issues, this is closely based on a story from Captain America Comics #1. As with the last two issues, Joe Simon is not credited.

We at this point are well versed in the Red Skull stories of the 1940s and 50s. We are now primed to see the modern take on the Red Skull, beginning with this retelling of his first adventure.

There are significant changes, many with the effect to sanitize the story, make it less violent and more kid-friendly. For example, in this version the Red Skull is not a killer. The plot of the original was all about him murdering people.

I’ll note the shared story beats common to the stories.

  • The story begins with Private Rogers and Mascot Barnes escorting Major Croy. They warn him it’s not safe to be alone, but he dismisses them any way.
  • The Red Skull attacks Major Croy.
  • Red Skull’s henchmen loot a bank.
  • Captain America and Bucky track down the Red Skull, but the Skull escapes them.
  • Mr. Maxon is observing a test of his new plane. Private Rogers is present. When the plane crashes, likely due to sabotage, Maxon expresses concern, but not for the lives lost, which upsets Rogers.
  • Red Skull attacks a General, and then is revealed to be Mr. Maxon.

With that corresponding outline, there are heavy differences.

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