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The Invincible Iron Man Omnibus
Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 1
Iron Man's first few years of activity took him through three sets of armor and his first several showdowns with such archenemies as the Mandarin and the Titanium Man - plus confrontations with major menaces like the Chameleon, Count Nefaria, and the Mad Thinker! Dictatorships across the world, beneath the sea, under the earth, and through time itself fall before the Armored Avenger's awesome array of apparatus! Guest-starring Captain America, the X-Men's Angel and more! Featuring the introductions of Iron Man's most infamous foes-turned-friends, the Black Widow and Hawkeye! Collects Tales of Suspense #39-83 and Tales to Astonish #82
720 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
15 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Don Heck
774 books11 followersDonald L. Heck was an American comics artist best known for co-creating the Marvel Comics characters Iron Man, the Wasp, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Wonder Man and for his long run penciling the Marvel superhero-team series The Avengers during the 1960s Silver Age of comic books.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 26, 2017
The Marvel Omnibus series is a good way to read the early stories - not as good as the DVD-ROM series they released, but they only made a few of them. And although Iron Man was one they released, it wasn't one I collected when it was available.
The earliest Iron Man stories were in Tales of Suspense and this collection reprints issues 39 through to 83 (about 4 years) as well as Tales to Astonish #82, which was the final pat of the three-issue crossover story with the Sub-Mariner. This was, I believe, the first time Marvel had done a story that crossed over between magazines, although they had previously done plenty of guest appearances. Like most of Marvel's early 1960s superhero stories, Iron Man was written, or at least plotted, by Stan Lee (and possibly Jack Kirby, although he isn't credited). Unlike many of their other titles, the artists on the book were less stable, although after around a dozen issues they settled on Don Heck who did most of the next couple of years before being replaced by Gene Colan.
Iron Man is the most international of Marvel's early stable, which becomes somewhat of a problem, as it highlights just how racist the comics were. Most of the villains in the other comics were either white or non-human, but Iron Man had many stories in which the villains were Asian (mostly Chinese). This is not to say that Marvel was being any more racist than the rest of American culture at the time.
If you're interested in the history of Iron Man and want to read his earliest stories and see his first confrontations with some of his classic foes, this is certainly worth reading, and a much cheaper way of getting the stories than tracking down back issues of the comics.
The earliest Iron Man stories were in Tales of Suspense and this collection reprints issues 39 through to 83 (about 4 years) as well as Tales to Astonish #82, which was the final pat of the three-issue crossover story with the Sub-Mariner. This was, I believe, the first time Marvel had done a story that crossed over between magazines, although they had previously done plenty of guest appearances. Like most of Marvel's early 1960s superhero stories, Iron Man was written, or at least plotted, by Stan Lee (and possibly Jack Kirby, although he isn't credited). Unlike many of their other titles, the artists on the book were less stable, although after around a dozen issues they settled on Don Heck who did most of the next couple of years before being replaced by Gene Colan.
Iron Man is the most international of Marvel's early stable, which becomes somewhat of a problem, as it highlights just how racist the comics were. Most of the villains in the other comics were either white or non-human, but Iron Man had many stories in which the villains were Asian (mostly Chinese). This is not to say that Marvel was being any more racist than the rest of American culture at the time.
If you're interested in the history of Iron Man and want to read his earliest stories and see his first confrontations with some of his classic foes, this is certainly worth reading, and a much cheaper way of getting the stories than tracking down back issues of the comics.
January 15, 2014
Seemed to be Marvels answer to the red scare. Very predictable stories, and if I never hear about fucking transistors again, I'll die happy.
That said, it is pretty fun on the whole, and it was neat that Iron Man kept changing, constantly (if convienantly) getting new gadgets. Art was fantastic too.
That said, it is pretty fun on the whole, and it was neat that Iron Man kept changing, constantly (if convienantly) getting new gadgets. Art was fantastic too.
August 14, 2025
It was a fun read and way to get into the Iron Man comics. It was really a dialogue heavy comic, but it was full of info about necessary details about the characters and plot.
I think I'll head on the newer version and get back to the 2nd volume of this classic omnibus later.
I think I'll head on the newer version and get back to the 2nd volume of this classic omnibus later.
March 19, 2025
Compelling early character-work, with great art by Don Heck and even better art from Gene Colan. It's a bummer that so much of this era of Iron Man is devoted to racist anti-communist propaganda.
August 2, 2025
these stories start off strong and remain pretty strong thru the entire run. but especially once gene colan starts doing the artwork, it REALLY takes off
November 27, 2016
When Marvel introduced the Omnibus series of reprint collections, I had my fingers crossed that they'd eventually get to Iron Man. Fortunately the success of the Iron Man movie made the Armored Avenger a hot property, so I got my wish. These phone book-sized collections of classic Silver Age comics are perfect for those of us who want to read the original material but can't afford the vintage back issues. Volume 1 of the Iron Man Omnibus series collects the initial issues of Iron Man's Tales of Suspense run, collecting (the Iron Man halves of) issues 39-83 plus the Iron Man/Sub-Mariner crossover story from Tales to Astonish #82. The Omnibus also includes the original covers, letters pages (a real treat) and some bonus material, all in gloriously restored color and on high quality paper stock.
The stories collected here were written by Stan Lee, and include the introduction and origin of Iron Man, his armor's evolution from grey to gold to the iconic red and yellow armor that's still (more or less) intact today. In this run we get appearances by the X-Men and Captain America, a terrific Sub-Mariner crossover, new villains like the Titanium Man and the Mandarin, and popular supporting characters Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts. All of which are presented in Stan Lee's unforgettable storytelling style. Dated and a little silly at times, but pure magic.
The artwork is just as legendary. Jack Kirby, Don Heck and Gene Colan all provide artwork for these early Iron Man tales, and all did amazing jobs. Kirby and Heck developed the character, and Colan solidified the Iron Man look and style. This is just tremendous stuff to look at, especially with such brilliant re-coloring and on such high-quality paper.
Kudos to Marvel for a well put-together collection of vintage Iron Man issues. The Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 2 just came out, and it is just as spectacular. I only hope they continue this series on through the 70's and 80's material, as there are so many great stories there that would be great in this format.
The stories collected here were written by Stan Lee, and include the introduction and origin of Iron Man, his armor's evolution from grey to gold to the iconic red and yellow armor that's still (more or less) intact today. In this run we get appearances by the X-Men and Captain America, a terrific Sub-Mariner crossover, new villains like the Titanium Man and the Mandarin, and popular supporting characters Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts. All of which are presented in Stan Lee's unforgettable storytelling style. Dated and a little silly at times, but pure magic.
The artwork is just as legendary. Jack Kirby, Don Heck and Gene Colan all provide artwork for these early Iron Man tales, and all did amazing jobs. Kirby and Heck developed the character, and Colan solidified the Iron Man look and style. This is just tremendous stuff to look at, especially with such brilliant re-coloring and on such high-quality paper.
Kudos to Marvel for a well put-together collection of vintage Iron Man issues. The Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 2 just came out, and it is just as spectacular. I only hope they continue this series on through the 70's and 80's material, as there are so many great stories there that would be great in this format.
July 6, 2009
I blame my pop for my ridiculous love of Iron Man comics and this, for me, was a must have. It was about $100 and has the first 46-48 issues (I forget off the top of my head) in which Tony Stark makes his debut. This is another book in which i just pick up on a whim and don't feel the need to hurry through. Loving the adventures!
January 25, 2017
Early Marvel is not always the best written stuff, but man isn't it a hoot.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews