Tales of Suspense #44

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Cover Date: August 1963

Plot Overview: Tony Stark heads to Egypt to help an old friend on a dig. Tony tells his friend that he needs Iron Man, who just happens to be in Egypt. Stark heads off and returns as IM. He finds the tomb of Hatap and digs it up. Later that night, Tony Stark is confronted by Hatap. Hatap tells Stark about how he took a serum that let him sleep for 2000 years. And now, he's going to use an amulet to take them to the past so that he can steal the throne from Cleopatra.

They head to the past and Tony slips away and becomes Iron Man. Hatap flees at the sight of Iron Man so IM goes looking for Cleopatra. IM comes across a Roman siege and easily destroys the invading forces. Cleopatra sends for IM and he tells her about Hatap and how he will capture him. Iron Man confronts Hatap and makes short work of his forces.

Hatap tries to return to the present but IM sprays his amulet with oil and he drops it. Hatap dives for the amulet but falls on a sword and kills himself. Cleopatra declares her love for Iron Man as he returns to the present. The issue ends with Tony Stark telling the press that you never know, Cleopatra might have fallen in love with him.

The Ridiculous: Iron Man places wheels on himself and propels himself at Hatap and his enemies to win the day.

My Take: This wasn't a bad little romp. I was dreading reading this from the cover as I typically hate these "hero X goes back in time and meets historical figure y" but this one wasn't so bad. I think the use of magic over science made the story a little better. Past that, this was just Iron Man showing off his powers against overmatched opponents.

My biggest complaint is they made a big deal about his chest plate running low on power early in the issue but it wasn't an issue once he was in the past. He made mention that he had limited power but there seemed to be no real sense of worry that he couldn't recharge while in ancient Egypt. I don't think it was a big deal but it was something that bothered me during the story.

I'm really starting to want to see Iron Man vs. some super villains. The mad scientists, rulers, etc. stuff is fun but it really makes me want to see him going toe to toe with a super powered baddie.

The art was rock solid on this issue. I've really grown to like Don Heck's art style through this project.

I'd give this ** out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of Hatap and Cleopatra. Cleopatra has another appearance in Strange Tales a few years down the road but that's it as far as these two go.

Next Issue: Journey Into Mystery #95

Posted in: Iron Man,Tales of Suspense