Tales of Suspense #97

Marvel ⋅ 1968
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Whiplash

First meeting of Captain America and Black Panther

1st cameo appearance of Madame Masque (unseen) - there is no way to determine if the mob boss is a woman or if this was a retcon

Issue Details

Publisher

Marvel

Artist

Gene Colan

Writer

Stan Lee

Published

January 1968

Synopsis

Iron Man Story- "The Coming of....Whiplash!"At the end of the previous issue, Jasper Sitwell was about to remove Iron Man's helmet in an attempt to save him, as he's just blacked out. Fortunately, Iron Man's helmet is booby-trapped against such things, and Jasper is unable to remove the helmet. Jasper then tries using a tiny explosive to blow the helmet off, but is still unsuccessful.Meanwhile, on a gambling ship secretly owned by the Maggia, Tony's cousin Morgan Stark is taken to see the head of the Maggia, Big M. As he's being taken, he hears a sharp cracking noise, and wonders what it is. Big M tells Morgan that it's Whiplash practising, and that he'll kill Morgan, since Morgan has money debts he owes the Maggia. Luckily, before this can happen, a TV report of Iron Man being knocked unconscious is broadcasted, and Morgan convinces the Maggia that if he can get them Iron Man to finish off, they'll cancel his debt.Morgan then gets taken to Stark Industries, where he convinces the guards that Tony sent him to get Iron Man to him. He drags Iron Man to his car and then drives off. Whilst in the car, Iron Man regains consciousness, but is still low on power, so connects his chestplate to the cigarette lighter to recharge slightly. Iron Man is then taken to the Maggia and the Big M. He takes out all of the Maggia's goons, before the Big M activates a trap which separates him from the rest of the group. A dark shadow then approaches, announcing himself as Whiplash....Captain America Story- "And So It Begins....!"At the start of this issue, Captain America receives a call telling him to come to a certain rooftop. However, when he gets there he finds out it's a trap, and is attacked by two men. He manages to knock them both out, but thinks about how he'll never be able to let his guard down as long as he's Captain America.Meanwhile, in Wakanda, the Black Panther visits an outpost, only to find that the men guarding it have been wiped out. He can still vaguely smell the people...

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