“Tales of Suspense 62 p 9 ‘The Origin of…’ ” (February 1965)
by Don Heck (1929-1995) and Dick Ayers (1924-2014)
13 x 22 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

Fifty Years Ago!

In the military base, the Mandarin attended the launch of the missile and proceeded to leave. Iron Man intercepted the weapon and changed its course, causing it to plummet and crash into its launching site, making the Chinese army believe that the Mandarin had betrayed them.

This issue features the origin of the Mandarin. This origin is later retconned in Invincible Iron Man Annual #1. However, it is explained that the version of his origin present in this issue suffers a case of unreliable narrator, as the Mandarin is inventing the origin that suits his ego the best.