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Tales of Suspense #43: Kala, Queen of the Netherworld! (1959)
Overview:
Tales of Suspense #43, published in July 1963, is a comic book issue written by Robert Bernstein, with artwork by Don Heck. This issue features Iron Man facing off against the villain Kala, the Queen of the Netherworld, who plots to conquer the surface world.
Plot Summary:
The story begins with Tony Stark receiving a mysterious message from deep beneath the Earth's surface. The message is a desperate plea for help from an unknown source, warning of an impending invasion from the Netherworld, a subterranean kingdom ruled by the beautiful yet malevolent Kala. Intrigued and concerned, Stark decides to investigate, donning his Iron Man armor and descending into the depths of the Earth.
Upon reaching the Netherworld, Iron Man is captured by Kala’s forces and brought before the queen herself. Kala reveals her plan to use advanced technology from her kingdom to invade the surface world and enslave humanity. She explains that her people, who have lived underground for centuries, have grown weary of their dark and oppressive environment. Kala believes that by conquering the surface, she can lead her people to a new era of prosperity and power.
Despite her initial hostility, Kala is fascinated by Stark's intelligence and the power of his Iron Man armor. She decides to offer Stark a deal: if he helps her conquer the surface world, she will make him her consort and co-ruler. Stark, however, refuses to betray his own world and instead attempts to reason with Kala, pointing out the dangers and devastation that would result from such a conflict. Kala, blinded by her ambition, dismisses Stark’s concerns and orders her scientists to find a way to neutralize his armor.
As Stark is held captive, he learns more about the history of the Netherworld and the tragic fate of its people. The kingdom was once a thriving civilization, but a cataclysmic event forced them underground, where they developed advanced technology to survive. However, over time, the harsh conditions of the subterranean world have made Kala’s people bitter and desperate for a way out.
Realizing that brute force alone won’t stop Kala, Stark devises a plan to exploit the unique conditions of the Netherworld. He convinces Kala to allow him to demonstrate the power of his armor by helping to repair one of the kingdom's key machines. In reality, Stark uses the opportunity to sabotage the machinery, causing the entire subterranean city to begin collapsing.
As the city crumbles, Kala’s once-loyal subjects turn against her, blaming her for their impending doom. With her kingdom in ruins, Kala finally realizes the folly of her ambitions. Stark, despite her earlier actions, rescues her and her people by leading them to a safer part of the underground. However, the journey to the surface must be abandoned.
In the aftermath, Kala, humbled and no longer interested in conquest, relinquishes her throne and agrees to Stark’s suggestion that the Netherworld should remain isolated from the surface. Iron Man returns to the surface, reflecting on how close the world came to a devastating war and the power of diplomacy over force. Kala, now a changed woman, vows to lead her people with wisdom and peace rather than ambition and war.
Tales of Suspense #44: The Mad Pharaoh! (1959)
Overview:
Tales of Suspense #44, published in August 1963, is a comic book issue written by Robert Bernstein, with artwork by Don Heck. This issue features Iron Man facing off against Cleopatra, who becomes a central figure in a time-traveling adventure that challenges Tony Stark in ancient Egypt.
Plot Summary:
Tony Stark, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as both an industrialist and Iron Man, decides to take a vacation to Egypt. However, his journey to unwind soon takes a strange turn when he begins to experience vivid dreams about Cleopatra, the legendary queen of ancient Egypt. Intrigued and disturbed by these visions, Stark investigates the history surrounding Cleopatra and learns of a hidden tomb that has recently been discovered.
While exploring the tomb, Stark is suddenly transported back in time to ancient Egypt. Disoriented, he finds himself in the court of Cleopatra, who initially believes him to be a god sent to aid her in her reign. Stark, however, quickly realizes that Cleopatra's intentions are not purely benevolent. She seeks to use Stark’s advanced technology, embodied in his Iron Man armor, to strengthen her rule and expand her empire beyond Egypt.
Cleopatra, fascinated by the power of Iron Man, attempts to seduce Stark and convince him to help her conquer the known world. Although Stark is captivated by Cleopatra's beauty and charm, he knows that interfering with history could have catastrophic consequences. When he refuses her advances, Cleopatra grows furious and orders her guards to imprison him until he agrees to her demands.
Stark is forced to use his Iron Man armor to escape, but Cleopatra is relentless. She enlists the help of her most trusted advisors and warriors to capture Iron Man and extract the secrets of his technology. Throughout a series of cat-and-mouse encounters, Stark uses his intelligence and the capabilities of his armor to outmaneuver Cleopatra’s forces.
As Stark attempts to return to his own time, he realizes that Cleopatra's ambitions are not solely driven by power but also by a desire to protect her people from the looming threats of neighboring empires. Stark, sympathizing with her plight but understanding the danger of altering history, decides to help her in a way that won’t disrupt the timeline. He uses his advanced knowledge to subtly strengthen Cleopatra's position without providing her with any of his futuristic technology.
In the end, Stark manages to repair the time displacement that brought him to the past, bidding Cleopatra farewell as he returns to the present day. Cleopatra, now aware of the limitations of her power, resolves to lead her people with wisdom rather than ambition. Stark, back in his own time, reflects on the strange and unexpected journey, grateful for the experience but more determined than ever to safeguard his technology and the future it represents.
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