In this episode:
Mike and Ed discuss the revelation that Tony Stark has put Iron Man in (temporary) charge of StarkCorp. Can someone with a secret identity be a corporate officer of a publicly traded corporation? (No.) Can a CEO unilaterally declare a temporary new temporary CEO without first speaking to his board of directors? (No.) Is Tony Stark doing both of those things anyway? (Yes.) Super Serious is here to explain the rules of corporate governance and why Tony Stark believes rules do not apply to him.
Behind the comic:
This may be the first three-part story told by Marvel Comics. It starts here and continues into Tales of Suspense 60 and 61. The idea of Iron Man becoming the CEO of StarkCorp because Tony is not able to remove the armor and living is a great premise that Stan Lee milks for all it is worth (and raises the stakes! Just wait until next issue!)
In This Issue:
The Black Knight’s flying horse helps free him from prison. Meanwhile, Tony Stark suffers from a medical emergency. His armour is the only thing that can save him, and so he puts it on. He then battles the Black Knight as Iron Man. After the battle, Tony is worried that he will not survive if he takes his armor off. He decides to stay in his armor and, as Iron Man, tells his two most trusted employees that “Mr. Stark” will be out of town for a while and has left “him”, Iron Man, in charge of the company.
Assumed before the next episode:
StarkCorp stock likely drops.
This episode takes place:
After Iron Man starts his sort of take over of StarkCorp.
Episode 165: Iron Man, CEO (Tales of Suspense #59) -- November 1964