''Tales of Suspense'' is the name of an American

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically cate ...

series and two one-shot comics published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...

. The first, which ran from 1959 to 1968, began as a

science-fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

anthology that served as a showcase for such artists as

Jack Kirby Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg; August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was an American comic book artist, writer and editor, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential creators. He gre ...

Steve Ditko Stephen John Ditko Page contains two reproductions from school yearbooks. A 1943 Garfield Junior High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen Ditko". A 1945 Johnstown High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen J. Ditko" under extracurricular act ...

, and Don Heck, then featured

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

Captain America Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...

and

Iron Man Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The cha ...

during the

Silver Age of Comic Books The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and widespread commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those featuring the superhero archetype. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an in ...

before changing its title to ''

'' with issue #100 (

cover-date The cover date of a periodical publication is the date displayed on the cover, which is not necessarily the true date of publication (the on-sale date or release date); later cover dates are common in magazine and comic book publishing. More unu ...

d April 1968). Its sister title was ''

Tales to Astonish ''Tales to Astonish'' is the name of two American comic book series and a one-shot comic published by Marvel Comics. The primary title bearing that name was published from January 1959 to March 1968. It began as a science-fiction anthology tha ...

''. Following the launch of Marvel Legacy in 2017, ''Tales of Suspense'' was once again resurrected at issue #100, featuring the Winter Soldier and Hawkeye in a story called "The Red Ledger".

Publication history

Science-fiction anthology

''Tales of Suspense'' and its sister publication ''Tales to Astonish'' were both launched with a January 1959

cover date The cover date of a periodical publication is the date displayed on the cover, which is not necessarily the true date of publication (the on-sale date or release date); later cover dates are common in magazine and comic book publishing. More unu ...

. Initially published under

Atlas Comics Atlas Comics may refer to * Atlas Comics (1950s) Atlas Comics is the 1950s comic-book publishing label that evolved into Marvel Comics. Magazine and paperback novel publisher Martin Goodman, whose business strategy involved having a multitud ...

, the 1950s forerunner of Marvel, it fell under the Marvel banner with issue #19 (July 1961), the first with a cover sporting the early "MC" box. It contained science-fiction mystery/suspense stories written primarily by editor-in-chief

Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...

and his brother, Larry Lieber, with artists including

, and Don Heck. Issue #9 (May 1960) introduced

Chondu the Mystic Chondu the Mystic, sometimes known as Chondu the Magician, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Chondu the Mystic first appeared in ''Tales of Suspense'' #9 and was created by Doug Wildley and Geor ...

as an anthological-story character; he would be reintroduced as a supervillain in the 1970s.

Iron Man and the Watcher

Issue #39 (March 1963) introduced the superhero

, created by editor and plotter Lee, Lee’s brother scripter Lieber, and artists 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 the comic normally ran. 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 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". Two months before the debut of the sorcerer-hero

Doctor Strange Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as Sorce ...

, Lee, Kirby and scripter Robert Bernstein, under the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individu ...

"R. Berns", introduced a same-name criminal scientist and Ph.D., Carl Strange. Making his sole appearance in the Iron Man story "The Stronghold of Dr. Strange" in ''Tales of Suspense'' #41 (May 1963), the character gained mental powers in a freak lightning strike. The Mandarin debuted in issue #50 (Feb. 1964) and would become one of Iron Man's major enemies. The Black Widow first appeared in #52 (April 1964) and Hawkeye followed five issues later. The first Marvel superhero work by future company editor-in-chief

Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor, who was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly ...

was his scripting the Iron Man story "My Life for Yours" in #73 (Jan. 1966), working from a plot by editor Lee as well as a plot assist from Marvel secretary-receptionist Flo Steinberg. 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 The Fantastic Four is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team debuted in '' The Fantastic Four'' #1 (cover dated Nov. 1961), helping usher in a new level of realism in the medium. It was the firs ...

'' #13 and used as a

Marvel Universe The Marvel Universe is a fictional shared universe where the stories in most American comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Comics take place. Super-teams such as the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Guardians o ...

supporting character since. The final "Tales of the Watcher" story introduced veteran artist George Tuska as a Marvel regular. Four years later, Tuska would become one of Iron Man's signature artists.

Captain America

Beginning with issue #59 (Nov. 1964), Iron Man began sharing the now "split book" with

, who had guest-starred in the Iron Man feature the previous issue.

, Captain America's co-creator during the 1940s

Golden Age of comic books The Golden Age of Comic Books describes an era of American comic books from 1938 to 1956. During this time, modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity. The superhero archetype was created and many well-known chara ...

, 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

retold Captain America's origin, through #71 (Nov. 1965) featured period stories set during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, and co-starred Captain America's Golden Age sidekick, James Buchanan Barnes aka Bucky.

Sharon Carter Sharon Carter (also known as Agent 13) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is usually depicted as a secret agent, an ex-field agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. under Nick Fury, and a love interest of St ...

was introduced in issue #75 (March 1966) and later became a love interest for Captain America. The

Red Skull The Red Skull is an alias used by several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and its predecessor Timely Comics. The first version, George Maxon, appeared in ''Captain America Comics'' #1 and #4. The main ...

, Captain America's major nemesis in the World War II era, was revived in the present day in issue #79 (July 1966). MODOK first appeared in #94 (Oct. 1967). 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 inked one story each. ''Tales of Suspense'' became ''

'' with #100 (April 1968). Iron Man appeared in the one-shot ''

Iron Man and Sub-Mariner ''Iron Man and Sub-Mariner'' is a one-shot comic book published by Marvel Comics in 1968. It is notable for being the first Marvel title to be intentionally published for only one issue, as it existed to use up two half-length stories left over a ...

'' #1 (April 1968), and then debuted in his own title with ''

'' #1 (May 1968).

Revival

A ''Tales of Suspense''

one-shot One shot may refer to: Film and television * One-shot film, a feature film shot in one long take with no edits, or manufactured to look like so * ''One Shot'' (2005 film), a Sri Lankan action film directed by Ranjan Ramanayake * ''One Shot'' (2 ...

(Jan. 1995) which had a cover with a clear plastic overlay, featured Captain America and Iron Man in a single story written by James Robinson and drawn by Colin MacNeil. Another one-shot, ''Tales of Suspense: Captain America and Iron Man Commemorative Edition'' (Feb. 2005) reprinted the previous month's ''Captain America'' vol. 5 #1 and ''Iron Man'' vol. 4 #1.

Collected editions

* ''

Marvel Masterworks ''Marvel Masterworks'' is an American collection of hardcover and trade paperback comic book reprints published by Marvel Comics, with the main goal of republishing classic ''Marvel Comics'' storylines in a hardcover, premium edition, often with ...

: Atlas Era Tales of Suspense'' ** Vol. 1 collects ''Tales of Suspense'' #1–10, 272 pages, October 2006, ** Vol. 2 collects ''Tales of Suspense'' #11–20, 272 pages, June 2008, ** Vol. 3 collects ''Tales of Suspense'' #21–31, 304 pages, August 2010, ** Vol. 4 collects ''Tales of Suspense'' #32–48, 50-54, 304 pages, September 2012,

Iron Man

* '' Son of Origins of Marvel Comics'' includes Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #39 and 97, 249 pages, October 1975,

Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster () is an American publishing company and a subsidiary of Paramount Global. It was founded in New York City on January 2, 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. As of 2016, Simon & Schuster was the third largest publi ...

, * ''Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man'' ** Vol. 1 collects Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #39–50, 197 pages, September 1992, ** Vol. 2 collects Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #51–65, 240 pages, May 2005, ** Vol. 3 collects Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #66–83, 256 pages, August 2006, ** Vol. 4 collects Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #84–99, 256 pages, April 2007, * '' Essential Iron Man'' ** Vol. 1 collects Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #39–72, 512 pages, September 2000, ** Vol. 2 includes Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #73–99, 608 pages, November 2004, * ''Marvel's Greatest Superhero Battles'' includes Iron Man stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #79–80, 253 pages, November 1978, Simon & Schuster,

Watcher

* ''Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Rarities'': Vol. 1 collects Watcher stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #49–58, 344 pages, August 2014,

Captain America

* ''Marvel Masterworks: Captain America'' ** Vol. 1 collects Captain America stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #59–81, 272 pages, October 1990, ** Vol. 2 collects Captain America stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #82–99, 240 pages, June 2005, * ''Essential Captain America'' Vol. 1 collects Captain America stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #59–99, 528 pages, March 2000, * ''Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty'' (1979) includes Captain America stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #59, 63, 79–81 128 pages, October 1979, Simon & Schuster, * ''Bring on the Bad Guys: Origins of the Marvel Comics Villains'' includes Captain America stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #66–68, 253 pages, October 1976, Simon & Schuster, * ''Marvel Epic'' ** Vol. 1 ''Captain America Lives Again'' collects Captain America stories from ''Strange Tales'' #114, ''Avengers'' #4, ''Tales of Suspense'' #58–96, November 2014 ** Vol. 2 ''The Coming of...the Falcon'' collects Captain America stories from ''Tales of Suspense'' #97–99, ''Captain America'' #100–119 and material from ''Not Brand Echh'' #3, 12, September 2016

In other media

*An episode of '' The Super Hero Squad Show'' shares the same name along with the title card being a homage to Tales of Suspense #39 and the bank teller's exclamation "Iron Man! He lives! He walks! He conquers!" referencing the text on the cover itself *In " The Lady in the Lake", the premiere episode of the second season of '' Agent Carter'', Whitney Frost appears in the movie ''Tales of Suspense'' which is a reference to the comic book series where the character first appeared.

References

External links

*
''Tales of Suspense''
at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators {{Steve Ditko 1959 comics debuts 1968 comics endings Atlas Comics titles Captain America titles Comics anthologies Comics by Archie Goodwin (comics) Comics by Jack Kirby Comics by Roy Thomas Comics by Stan Lee Comics by Steve Ditko Defunct American comics Fantasy comics Iron Man titles Marvel Comics one-shots Marvel Comics titles Science fiction comics

Publication history

Science-fiction anthology

Iron Man and the Watcher

Captain America

Revival

Collected editions

Iron Man

Watcher

Captain America

In other media

See also

References

External links