TALES OF SUSPENSE #40-100 + IRON MAN #1-20 - VF/NM

$

4,599

T HE TALES OF S USPENSE #40-100 THROUGH I RON M AN #1-20 C OLLECTION _________________ Introduction This comprehensive Silver Age Iron Man Comics Collection begins in April 1963 with Tales of Suspense #40, and spans nearly eight complete years, straight through December 1969 with Iron Man #20, and includes every one-shot spin-off in between. Tales of Suspense - Origins Tales of Suspense was the name of a comic book series and two one-shot comics published by Marvel Comics . The first, which ran from January 1959 through March 1968, began as a science-fiction anthology that served as a showcase for such artists as Jack Kirby , Steve Ditko , and Don Heck , then featured superheroes Captain America and Iron Man during the Silver Age of Comic Books before changing its title to Captain America with issue #100 (April 1968). Its sister title was Tales to Astonish . The early run of Tales of Suspense , from issues #1-38 (Jan. 1959 - Aug 1962), began under Atlas Comics , the 1950s forerunner of Marvel, before eventually falling under the Marvel banner. It contained science-fiction mystery /suspense stories written primarily by editor-in-chief Stan Lee , with artists including Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, Dick Ayers , Joe Sinnott and Paul Reinman . Iron Man and the Watcher Issue #39 (March 1963) introduced the superhero Iron Man , created by editor and plotter Stan Lee , scripter Larry Lieber , and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby . He starred in generally 13-page but occasionally 18-page adventures, with the rest of Tales of Suspense devoted to the anthological science fiction and fantasy stories it normally ran. This issue #39 was reprinted in its entirety in 1994 as Marvel Milestone Edition: Tales Of Suspense #39 . After debuting with bulky gray armor, Iron Man was redesigned with similar but golden armor in his second story (issue #40, April 1963). The first iteration of the modern, sleek red-and-golden armor appeared in #48 (Dec. 1963), drawn by Steve Ditko (though whether he or Kirby, singly or in collaboration, designed it, is uncertain). From #53-58 (May-Oct. 1964), the cover logo was "Tales of Suspense featuring The Power of Iron Man". From #49-58 (Jan.-Oct. 1964), one anthological story each issue acquired a framing sequence and ran as "Tales of the Watcher", narrated by the namesake cosmic witness introduced in The Fantastic Four #13 and used as a Marvel-universe supporting character since. The final "Tales of the Watcher" story introduced veteran artist George Tuska as a Marvel regular; four years later, he would become one of Iron Man's signature artists. Captain America Team-Up Beginning with issue #59 (Nov. 1964), Iron Man began sharing the now "split book" with Captain America , who had guest-starred in the Iron Man feature the previous issue. Jack Kirby, Captain America 's co-creator during the 1940s Golden Age of comic books , had drawn the character as part of the superhero team the Avengers earlier that year, and was now illustrating his hero's solo adventures for the first time since 1941. Issue #63 (March 1965), in which editor-scripter Stan Lee retold Captain America's origin, through #71 (Nov. 1965) featured period stories set during World War II , and co-starred Captain America's Golden Age sidekick, Bucky . Kirby drew all but two stories, for which Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. each filled-in. Several stories were finished by penciler-inker George Tuska over Kirby layouts, with one finished by Romita Sr. and another by penciler Dick Ayers and inker John Tartaglione . Kirby's regular inkers on the series were Frank Giacoia (as "Frank Ray") and Joe Sinnott , though Don Heck and Golden Age Captain America artist Syd Shores did one story each. Tales of Suspense then became Captain America with #100 (April 1968). Iron Man appeared in the one-shot Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1 (April 1968), and then debuted in his own title with Iron Man #1 (May 1968). . . And all the rest, as they say, is history. . . _________________...