Tales of Suspense #46
Iron Man Faces the Crimson Dynamo!
The ruler of Russia pays a visit to one of his greatest scientists, Anton Vanko. Vanko is the world’s leading expert on electricity and has asked to see his leader to demonstrate his latest invention. Vanko puts on a suit of armor that can generate massive amounts of electricity. Calling himself the Crimson Dynamo, Vanko shows off his power by causing a robotic model of Iron Man to explode and being able to control a tank by remote control. Both impressed and frightened by Vanok’s power, the leader of Russia orders him to go to America and destroy the real Iron Man.
In the United States, Tony Stark is overseeing the launch of a new test rocket. While Happy and Pepper argue with one another, Tony excuses himself so he can secretly change into Iron Man. His hunch that the alter ego would be needed proves right as the Crimson Dynamo uses his power to secretly make the rocket fly out of control. Iron Man saves the pilots and brings the rocket back safely to the ground. This confirms to the Dynamo that Iron Man is always around to protect Stark interests.
Over the next few days, the Crimson Dynamo uses his power to begin sabotaging Stark Industries in an effort to drive out Iron Man. Eventually, the acts of sabotage raised concerns among government officials in Washington, DC. Stark Industries is at risk of losing its lucrative military contracts, a move that would ruin Tony’s company. Tony still doesn’t know who is responsible but is touched when both Happy and Pepper vow to stick by him no matter what.
Later, when the Crimson Dynamo begins attacking Tony’s office, Stark has Happy get everyone to safety. Staying behind, Tony changes into Iron Man so he can face this attacker directly. As the pair match their powers against one another, Iron Man records the Crimson Dynamo making a confession. Ultimately, Iron Man traps the Crimson Dynamo by toppling trees all around him. Unable to fly under his own power, Vanok is helpless when Iron Man threatens to drop him into a nearby lake. When the Dynamo surrenders, Iron Man then has Anton listen to transmissions he picked up from Russia. They are of Anton’s leader ordering his men to kill Vanko when he returns to his homeland. In reality, this is a fake recording created by Tony Stark to convince Vanko to defect and start working for him. The ruse works, and Iron Man brings the Crimson Dynamo back to Stark Industries and introduces Happy and Pepper to their newest co-worker.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the ruler of that country has learned of Vanko’s defection and takes out his anger on his bodyguards.
Recurring Characters
Iron Man, Crimson Dynamo, Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, Harrington Byrd
Topical References
This story contains a lot of dated Cold War references: Primarily, the leader of Russia is depicted as Nikita Khrushchev. Russia is referred to as the USSR, and Russians are referred to as “Reds”.
A lot of technical specifications in this story should be considered dated as well. Such as the Crimson Dynamo using a rheostat to regular electricity, and Iron Man’s armor being powered by transistors.
Also dated is the fact that Iron Man has a reel-to-reel recording device built into his armor.
