Tales of Suspense, #78
Published: June 1966
Cover
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Issue Contents:
Them!
Characters
- Chemical Android (villain)
Credits
- Script: Stan Lee
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Frank Giacoia
- Colors: Stan Goldberg
- Letters: Sam Rosen
"Exclusive fun products by mail"
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
Crescendo!
"Ultimo lives!"
Storyline
Iron Man defeats Ultimo by tricking the monstrous android into setting off a long-dormant volcano. The Mandarin believes Tony Stark is dead and vows Ultimo will live again. Iron Man steals a Commie jet and narrowly avoids getting shot down by US fighters. But on returning home, he discovers to his horror that Senator Byrd has not taken his failure to show at the sub-committee investigation lightly. Not only has Stark Industries been closed down, but there is also a warrant out for Tony Stark's arrest.
Characters
- Mandarin's Guards [numerous unnamed guards] (villain)
- People's Liberation Army [two unnamed soldiers]
- Senator Harrington Byrd (mentioned)
- United States Air Force ["Sloppy Joe"
- "Ravin' Rooster"]
Credits
- Script: Gene Colan
- Script: Stan Lee
- Pencils: Gene Colan
- Inks: N. C. Wyeth
- Letters: Artie Simek
Story Notes
Part 3 of 3. The Mandarin returns 7 months later in [gcd_link_story_with_date](150353); Ultimo returns in [gcd_link_story_with_date](182576), though his true origins would not be revealed until *Iron Man* #23-25 (December 1999-February 2000).
Greater, Groovier, Goofier Goodies Than Ever, Gathered from the Four Corners of Marveldom!
Story Notes
How About That!, Items, Didja Know?, Strictly Personal, The Wrap-Up, The Mighty Marvel Checklist, Let's Meet 26 More M.M.M.S. Members! Appears after page 4 of the Iron Man story.
U.S. Gov't Surplus (1)
Polaris Nuclear Sub (1)
Story Notes
Sold by Honor House Products.
"Look, fellows!"
Story Notes
Appears after page 8 of the Iron Man story.
"You've gotta help us!"
Story Notes
Promo ad for Marvel superhero related merchandise. Appears after the last page of the Iron Man story.
Story Notes
Advertisement from Accordion Corporation of America.
Them!
"Hey!"
Storyline
While Captain America is training, Nick Fury turns up looking for info on the secret organization THEM. A flying craft lands outside Avengers Mansion, and an android attacks. In a lab, members of THEM observe by remote camera while watching over a battalion of androids growing in a hydroponic garden. Captain America and Fury barely manage to stop the android. Fury tells Captain America it's S.H.I.E.L.D.'s job and to stay out of it. But he gives Captain America a S.H.I.E.L.D. Priority A-1 badge to make getting in touch easier in the future.
Characters
- Chemical Androids (villain, introduction)
Credits
- Script: Jack Kirby
- Script: Stan Lee
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Frank Giacoia
- Letters: Artie Simek
Story Notes
Part 1 of 5. Second meeting of Captain America and Fury, following the story in *Sgt. Fury* #13 (December 1964). First appearance of THEM, following mentions in *Strange Tales* #142-143 & 145 (March-April, June 1966). The hooded outfits worn by the evil scientists appear to have been inspired by the ones worn in the James Bond film *Dr. No* (1962). Identity of "The Imperator" is revealed in *Strange Tales* #156 (May 1967). Captain America and Fury team up to battle mysterious invaders in the flashback in *Strange Tales* #160-161 (September-October 1967), apparently shortly after this episode. Meanwhile, this story continues directly into *Strange Tales* #146 (July 1966), while THEM also continue to appear (peripherally) in the next several issues of *Tales of Suspense*. The android-growing tanks appear to pay tribute to *The Thing from Another World* (1951). Thanks to Jack Kirby, DNA experiments would play a large part in *Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen* #133-148 (November 1970-April 1972). The flying shock rollers are identical to the ones used by Obi-Wan Kenobi to train Luke Skywalker in the film *Star Wars* (1977).
Story Notes
Appears after page 3 of the Captain America story.
Shop by Mail (1)
"Live seahorses $1 each"
Story Notes
Classified advertising. Appears before page 4 of the Captain America story. Includes ads to order a live pet monkey by mail for $18.95 and live seahorses for $1.00 each.
Stamps; Shop by Mail (1)
"Stamp collecting outfit"
Story Notes
Classified ads. Appears after page 7 of the Captain America story.
"Dear Stan, Tales of Suspense #75 was fairly good, but Iron Man brought it down."
Story Notes
Letters from Mark Campbell, Gene Brown, John Bemus, Paul Gurian and Stephen McMichael; next issue blurb; order blank for joining M.M.M.S.
Is Your Hair Growing or Going? (1)
"He's looking for people who like to draw"
Characters
- Albert Dorne
Story Notes
Inside back cover.
"Another two-pointer for Jerry West!"
Characters
- Jerry West
- Jim Brown
- Babe Ruth
- Jack Dempsey
- Johnny Unitas
Story Notes
Back cover.