As the cover promises, this story delivers on its premise: New Iron Man vs. Old Iron Man, in the vein of classic tales where a hero must battle their own reflection, so to speak. The setup? A crook looking to rob Stark Industries stumbles upon the new Iron Man armor, which Tony Stark accidentally left behind during a trip. This leads to a crime spree, and when Tony returns, he must don his old armor to fight the thief wearing his new suit, restoring the Iron Man name and bringing the adversary to justice. But… can the old armor really stand up to its newer, shinier, and more advanced counterpart?

Originality & Continuity

Stories where the hero fights themselves—or some equal counterpart—are a common trope in comics, explored through countless variations. Having Iron Man face off against his own armor, now in the hands of a thief, fits neatly into this tradition. At first glance, it seems like a fitting and appropriate scenario.

However, there’s one glaring issue that bugs me: the chest piece. Its primary purpose is to keep the shrapnel from Tony’s heart at bay. Even if he forgot the rest of the armor at home, he should logically still have that vital core component on him at all times. After all, it’s literally keeping him alive! Unless I’m missing some in-story explanation or forgetting a resolution from a previous issue, this feels like a plot hole. If anyone has a better memory than me and can clarify, please, by all means, enlighten me!

Character & Development

While the stakes in this story feel significant in the moment, the overall impact on the series’ ongoing narrative is minimal. There’s no real shift in the status quo. Tony’s absence doesn’t push Happy and Pepper forward in any noticeable way, nor does it bring Tony any closer to resolving his unrequited feelings for Pepper.

On top of that, the ending—with Weasel Wills losing his grip on reality and thinking he’s actually Iron Man—wraps up any threat to Tony’s secret identity. It’s all neatly resolved, but without much lasting consequence.

Story

Despite the flaws I’ve mentioned, the story itself is still an entertaining read. There’s something undeniably fun about watching the old armor face off against the new and improved version. Maybe there’s even a subtle message here: it’s not just the weapon, but the person using it that matters.

The continuity hiccup about the chest piece aside, I don’t regret reading this issue. It’s an enjoyable, action-packed romp, even if it doesn’t have a lot of long-term significance or emotional weight.

Artwork

The artwork complements the story beautifully, capturing the essence of the characters with detailed close-ups of Tony, Pepper, and Happy, as well as dynamic, action-packed scenes of the two Iron Men clashing. The visuals bring an extra layer of energy to the fight, making the story even more engaging. The art and story work hand in hand to deliver a comic that was well worth my time.

Final thoughts? While Tales of Suspense #65 might not break new ground or shift the narrative needle, it’s still a fun issue with solid artwork and an intriguing premise. A flawed gem, but a gem nonetheless!