As I set out to read the next part of this epic saga, picking up from the cliffhanger in Tales of Suspense #61, we find Iron Man captured, with Tony Stark now believed dead in the ongoing drama. While this issue continues the larger narrative, only the first part (Iron Man’s capture) plays a role here. The supporting cast? They’re left on the sidelines so that the pages can focus on what the subtitle promises: “The Origin of the Mandarin.”

Story

After the opening recap, which helps readers understand where our hero is and the basics of how we got here, we quickly dive into the origin story. Or, as our antagonist the Mandarin puts it:

“You cannot Escape the concentrated titanium bonds which hold you fast! So, before you meet your fate, I shall tell you what no human ears have ever heard… I shell tell you how I obtained my invincible Power”

Maybe the opening serves as a flimsy excuse for a flashback, but hey, it gets the job done for two reasons:

• our hero will hear the origin story – something that may prove useful for him in the future
• And, more importantly, so do we! – something that 500 readers requested after all!

I’ll talk about the origin in just a moment, but how about everything else? How Iron Man escapes? How he fends off the Mandarin? Is that worth reading too? Absolutely! I found it engaging and even poetic in a way—a fitting story enhanced by the Mandarin’s backstory.

Characters and Development

The Origin of the Mandarin

Yep, I said those words again as the subheading, but it’s worth emphasizing. This is the Mandarin’s fifth appearance, and he’s a villain who will continue to plague Iron Man in future comics. Not to mention, he faces off against other heroes too.

The origin taps into a mystical element—the idea that gods want him to live, his father being killed off, and his aunt’s attempted sabotage. Yet, he’s protected through all of it, leading him to grow and, through trials of life, stumble upon a spaceship. From there, he forges his iconic ten rings, powered by alien energy sources. The story is framed from his perspective, which almost makes you see him as the divine hero of his own tale—a force destined for greatness.

Space Dragons!!!

Yes, you read that right—space dragons! And yes, I said it, they said it, and I suspect many of you long-time Marvel fans already know which race I’m referring to, and at least one of its most famous members.

In this issue, though, we’re introduced to Axon-Karr. The Mandarin encounters the dragon’s remains and discovers his ship, learning about this advanced race through logs and computers. This solidifies the Mandarin as a mere man with technology far beyond human capabilities, giving his seemingly mystical rings a more sci-fi twist.

Originality and Continuity

While the themes echo similarities to other stories—villains like Dr. Doom, who straddle the line between technology and mysticism—the story still stands on its own. And yes, you eagle-eyed readers out there are right to point out that we’ve already met Fin Fang Foom in Strange Tales #89, back when he was just a monster-of-the-week. The intent of making him part of the same race as Axon-Karr and tying him into the larger Marvel universe hasn’t been fully realized yet.

But to sum it up: this issue builds on what’s come before, mimics some elements, yet remains original and self-defining enough to stand tall.

Art

Don Heck and Dick Ayers do what you’d expect from them here. The art tells the story, builds the narrative, provides the necessary details, and shows the action. Is it stunning? No. But it’s solid. Adequate, though, doesn’t mean bad—it just didn’t blow me away. I wasn’t left breathless, but I wasn’t disappointed either.

Feedback

I look forward to hearing from anyone who stumbles across my site! Let me know what you thought of this story, the artwork, or even the groundwork being laid for future tales. Let’s chat about it all!