With his debut in Tales of Suspense, # 39, dated March, 1963, IRON MAN was the last of the features making up "THE MARVEL SUPER HEROES" (1966) to come on line out of the Marvel Comics self-proclaimed "Famous Bull Pen"; a claim that they would soon be able to back-up with their long and impressive string of successes. Falling in line behind the likes of the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, the Hulk and the Mighty Thor, he was soon a "household word" in the Comics Field.
In the character's creation, we find the marriage of technologically superior with a normal person. In this case, the "Alter Ego" of Iron Man is Millionaire Industrialist, Weapons' Systems Designer and Munitions Dealer, Mr. Tony Stark. And Tony really cannot be referred to as being "normal", by virtue of his having a serious heart condition.
So now we know the Hero's weakness. (And in that period of 45 years ago, a Heart Condition was even far more serious than now). We must ask, "But what are his Powers?" Other than his considerable Brain Power, all of Iron Man's powers and abilities emanate from his metal armor-suit. All of his "Tricks of the Trade" are inventions of his own or modifications of existing weapons. Even his ability to fly and to stabilize his diseased heart are contained within his armor. So he can fly, launch a rocket, stop an automobile or lift huge amounts of weight; all being due to his "Ferrous Wardrobe" and to all of the circuitry within.
He even has a sort of heart regulator that had proved on more than one occasion to be a life saver.
In a sense, the case could be made that when Mr. Stark becomes his Super Hero identity of Iron Man, he is essentially riding around in a sort of a Mini-vehicle. And he really is in a sense. But the mechanics of the Iron Suit (Later modified with "lighter Alloys".) are what make him what he is. That's the kinda hairpin he is! Writer and Editor Stan Lee had long been a proponent of a long standing Timely-Marvel tradition of having opposites clashing. This is a recurring theme that had its origin in the long standing Human Torch vs., Sub-Mariner. And that feud was so brilliantly elemental and natural; being Fire vs. Water.
But in Iron Man, the Stan Lee & Jack Kirby team gives us the diametrically opposed elements;which are contained within the one person. The main character is powerful, with extensive weapons, speed, and strength and in possession of a many faceted arsenal; yet is week as a lamb if his heart pack gadget should become disabled. In real life the best example we can think of is one from Our National Pastime. And the man in the spotlight is New York Yankees' Center Fielder, old number 7, Mickey Mantle. "WHAT!?!?, you say. "How'd we get from the Marvel Comics Universe to 1950's & '60's MLB?" Read on, Schultz!
Mickey Mantle was the greatest power switch-hitter in Baseball History. He was a more than adequate Center Fielder with a fine arm. And many of us do not =seem to remember that he had been proclaimed as being "the Fastest Man in Baseball" when he was an emerging Rookie. But he also played most of his career on not one, but two bad knees! He required yards of taping prior to playing a game. (One can only imagine what "the Mick" would have done playing on two good legs!)
SO having established Iron Man's powers and abilities and giving him a necessary weakness (even Samson had his hair!), Iron Man went out and did his thing! As for the "IRON MAN" segments of "THE MARVEL SUPERHEROES (Famous Studios/Grantray-Lawrence/Marvel, 1966) they, like the other features were near perfect transcriptions from Comics to Screen. They and the other characters' adventures were probably the most literally rendered adaptations ever done; anywhere, anytime.
About his status as Wealthy, Industrialist, the Rich Man business is a long standing tradition in comics. The wealth of a Bruce Wayne is what allows him the freedom to pursue his Alter Ego career as Batman. It would not be logical to have the Hero busting his ass at a work-a-day job. And Tony Stark's wealth is due to a large degree to his involvement in munitions and the business of war.
Stan Lee makes his feelings known right on that it is not necessarily evil to be in munitions and other technology needed in National defense, as long as any profits are fair, honestly gained and not due to any unfair trade practices or monopolistic cartels; setting false prices.
IN this respect "IRON MAN" bears a certain connection to Harold Gray's Comic Strip LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE (1924). Don't forget Annie was adopted by the Millionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks. (Get it, Schultz! War Buck$!) At first glance, this "Warbucks" name could be misconstrued, thinking it to be a Marxian Barb; fired at our Capitalist way of life, Free Enterprise.
In reality, Harold Gray was a staunch Republican. We suspect that so is Tony Stark.
In the character's creation, we find the marriage of technologically superior with a normal person. In this case, the "Alter Ego" of Iron Man is Millionaire Industrialist, Weapons' Systems Designer and Munitions Dealer, Mr. Tony Stark. And Tony really cannot be referred to as being "normal", by virtue of his having a serious heart condition.
So now we know the Hero's weakness. (And in that period of 45 years ago, a Heart Condition was even far more serious than now). We must ask, "But what are his Powers?" Other than his considerable Brain Power, all of Iron Man's powers and abilities emanate from his metal armor-suit. All of his "Tricks of the Trade" are inventions of his own or modifications of existing weapons. Even his ability to fly and to stabilize his diseased heart are contained within his armor. So he can fly, launch a rocket, stop an automobile or lift huge amounts of weight; all being due to his "Ferrous Wardrobe" and to all of the circuitry within.
He even has a sort of heart regulator that had proved on more than one occasion to be a life saver.
In a sense, the case could be made that when Mr. Stark becomes his Super Hero identity of Iron Man, he is essentially riding around in a sort of a Mini-vehicle. And he really is in a sense. But the mechanics of the Iron Suit (Later modified with "lighter Alloys".) are what make him what he is. That's the kinda hairpin he is! Writer and Editor Stan Lee had long been a proponent of a long standing Timely-Marvel tradition of having opposites clashing. This is a recurring theme that had its origin in the long standing Human Torch vs., Sub-Mariner. And that feud was so brilliantly elemental and natural; being Fire vs. Water.
But in Iron Man, the Stan Lee & Jack Kirby team gives us the diametrically opposed elements;which are contained within the one person. The main character is powerful, with extensive weapons, speed, and strength and in possession of a many faceted arsenal; yet is week as a lamb if his heart pack gadget should become disabled. In real life the best example we can think of is one from Our National Pastime. And the man in the spotlight is New York Yankees' Center Fielder, old number 7, Mickey Mantle. "WHAT!?!?, you say. "How'd we get from the Marvel Comics Universe to 1950's & '60's MLB?" Read on, Schultz!
Mickey Mantle was the greatest power switch-hitter in Baseball History. He was a more than adequate Center Fielder with a fine arm. And many of us do not =seem to remember that he had been proclaimed as being "the Fastest Man in Baseball" when he was an emerging Rookie. But he also played most of his career on not one, but two bad knees! He required yards of taping prior to playing a game. (One can only imagine what "the Mick" would have done playing on two good legs!)
SO having established Iron Man's powers and abilities and giving him a necessary weakness (even Samson had his hair!), Iron Man went out and did his thing! As for the "IRON MAN" segments of "THE MARVEL SUPERHEROES (Famous Studios/Grantray-Lawrence/Marvel, 1966) they, like the other features were near perfect transcriptions from Comics to Screen. They and the other characters' adventures were probably the most literally rendered adaptations ever done; anywhere, anytime.
About his status as Wealthy, Industrialist, the Rich Man business is a long standing tradition in comics. The wealth of a Bruce Wayne is what allows him the freedom to pursue his Alter Ego career as Batman. It would not be logical to have the Hero busting his ass at a work-a-day job. And Tony Stark's wealth is due to a large degree to his involvement in munitions and the business of war.
Stan Lee makes his feelings known right on that it is not necessarily evil to be in munitions and other technology needed in National defense, as long as any profits are fair, honestly gained and not due to any unfair trade practices or monopolistic cartels; setting false prices.
IN this respect "IRON MAN" bears a certain connection to Harold Gray's Comic Strip LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE (1924). Don't forget Annie was adopted by the Millionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks. (Get it, Schultz! War Buck$!) At first glance, this "Warbucks" name could be misconstrued, thinking it to be a Marxian Barb; fired at our Capitalist way of life, Free Enterprise.
In reality, Harold Gray was a staunch Republican. We suspect that so is Tony Stark.
