Tales of Suspense #58: Review

Oct 1964

Stan Lee, Don Heck

::: click cover to ENLARGE it :::

Story Name:

In Mortal Combat with Captain America!

Review & Comments

Rating:

Tales of Suspense #58 Review by Librarian (February 15, 2010)

First appearance of Captain America in an Iron Man title (and his only appearance in TALES OF SUSPENSE outside his own series). The villains’ defeat by the Web-Slinger took place in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15. Cap and Iron Man do not yet know each other’s secret identities.

Tales of Suspense #58 Review by T Vernon (April 1, 2012)

Comments: “Librarian” got it wrong above: this isn’t Cap’s “only appearance in TALES OF SUSPENSE outside his own series;” he’s also in the Iron Man story next issue. Three cheers and a tiger for me! Second story: Text story with one illustration, reprinted from MYSTERY #26; part one appeared last issue. Final text story in this book. Third story: Final “Tales of the Watcher” in this book; the series resumes in SILVER SURFER (1968 series) #1.

Review: The first fight between Iron Man and Captain America is pretty exciting (though chronologically the fight in CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY #5-6 comes first, that wouldn’t be written until 1999—this is the real first). Problem is, Iron Man is an idiot. When two heroes fight in the comics, it’s usually because a) they don’t know each other well yet (not possible here); b) one is under some sort of mind control (as in the CASOL story); or one is an idiot and doesn’t stop to ask questions before he starts throwing punches with a friend. That is the situation here: Iron Man is a dupe of a not very clever villain and only needed to ask a couple of questions to verify the Chameleon’s tale when meeting the real Cap. To his credit, Iron Man realizes what a moron he’d been and ends the issue by brooding—and quoting then-President Lyndon Johnson (who was quoting the Bible, see Isaiah 1:18). Cap is way too nice about the whole thing, though.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Tales of Suspense #58 Synopsis by T Vernon

Kraven and the Chameleon sneak back into the United States vowing revenge (they were deported in Amazing Spider-Man #15). The arrogant Kraven decides to break into Stark’s factory and steal whatever he can for some easy money and is immediately captured by Iron Man. Hiding in the shadows, the Chameleon escapes Iron Man’s notice. He decides to use this situation to his advantage and prove himself superior to the braggart Kraven.

Inside the factory Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts meet a most unusual guest - Captain America. His uniform is a bit worse for the wear and is on the verge of collapse. They contact Iron Man who takes him to a private office to recuperate. Once inside Cap explains that the Chameleon kidnapped him and used a machine to take information directly from his mind. He managed to escape but is very weak as a result. He had to warn someone that the Chameleon may try to impersonate him. Iron Man tells Cap to remain there while he searches for the Chameleon. As he leaves it becomes quite clear that the Chameleon was “Cap”.

Iron Man makes his way to Avengers’ Mansion where he finds the real Captain America. Iron Man attacks Captain America, thinking he’s the Chameleon.

Happy and Pepper check on their guest and notice that he has left. Knowing time is of the essence, they set out to find Iron Man. They look for him using the special tracking device Stark installed in his automobiles. When they find Iron Man, he and Cap are fighting in a power station. Ignoring the danger, they enter the building and are almost killed.

Giant-Man and the Wasp arrive with the Chameleon and separate them. Giant Man explains that they were being manipulated and that the Chameleon is the true enemy. The Avengers turn Chameleon over to the police and return to their individual lives. Iron Man is somewhat embarrassed at his behavior and promises to be more cautious next time.

“The Runner! [Part Two]”
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Unknown.
Synopsis: Continued from last issue: Hermy is revealed to be Hermes of the Greek pantheon and rewards Mike with the ability to be the fastest runner on the baseball team!

“The Watcher Must Die!”
Writer: Stan Lee. Art: George Tuska. Colors: ? Letters: Artie Simek.
Synopsis: Warlord Wrogg leads his battle fleet to kill the Watcher. The villain boasts, trying to intimidate Uatu, who allows the battle fleet to depart. Uatu then causes Wrogg to age so that he shrivels, collapses and dies within seconds!