Publishers / Marvel / Tales of Suspense (1959) / #39
39March 1963
$0.12

Tales of Suspense #39

Marvel · March 1963 · on sale 1962-12-10

First appearance: Tony StarkFirst appearance: Iron ManFirst appearance: Professor YinsenOrigin: Iron ManDeath of Professor Yinsen1 variant
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
Tales of Suspense (Marvel, 1959 series)
Issue
#39
Publication date
March 1963
Key date
1963-03-00
On-sale date
1962-12-10
Indicia publisher
Vista Publications Inc.
Price
$0.12
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

From the editorial file Iron Man's first appearance, March 1963, in the original bulky gray armor, drawn by Don Heck from a Lee and Lieber story. Another anthology key: the series had been running suspense shorts for four years before Tony Stark walked in.

First appearance of Tony Stark - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Iron Man - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Professor Yinsen - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Wong-Chu - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Iron Man, Tony Stark.

Death on record for: Professor Yinsen.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0Iron Man!cover1script: Stan Lee; pencils: Jack Kirby; inks: Don Heck; colors: Stan Goldberg; letters: Artie SimekIron Man First, Tony Stark First
2Iron Man Is Born!comic story13script: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber; pencils: Don Heck; inks: Don Heck; colors: Stan Goldberg; letters: Art SimekIron Man First, Tony Stark First, Wong-Chu First, Professor Yinsen First
3The Treasuretext story2letters: typesetTommy Miller; Mr. Miller; Mrs. Miller; Wish (dog)
9The Last Rocket!comic story5script: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber; pencils: Gene Colan; inks: Gene Colan; colors: Stan Goldberg; letters: Ray HollowayAdam; Eve
13Gundar!comic story5script: Stan Lee; pencils: Steve Ditko; inks: Steve Ditko; colors: Stan Goldberg; letters: Art SimekGundar

Plus 10 pages of advertisements and other matter across 13 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Britishprice 9d [0-0-9 GBP]

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Marvel Tales Annual #11964On eBay ›
Creatures on the Loose #221973On eBay ›
Son of Origins of Marvel Comics #[nn]
ISBN 0671221663		1975On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks #20
ISBN 0-87135-912-X		1992On eBay ›
Essential Iron Man #1
ISBN 0-7851-0759-2		2000On eBay ›
Marvel Milestone Edition: Tales of Suspense #39 #[nn]1993On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man #1
ISBN 0-7851-1186-7		2003On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Check spine ticks and cover gloss in the photos; silver-age Marvels chip at the edges easily.
  • Look for tanning at the page edges and transfer stains on the inside covers.
  • Confirm the cover price against the plate; higher prices can mean a later or foreign printing.

Series context

‹ #3839 of 99#40 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q65929293 (Professor Yinsen), first-appearance property (CC0)

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com