Iron Man #55 (published in February 1973 by Marvel Comics) is written by Jim Starlin with art by Jim Starlin and Mike Friedrich. This issue is a pivotal moment in Marvel Comics history, as it introduces Thanos, one of the most iconic villains in the Marvel Universe, along with several key cosmic characters.
Plot Summary
The issue begins with Tony Stark/Iron Man facing a strange and powerful new threat tied to cosmic forces beyond Earth. The story introduces Drax the Destroyer, a mysterious being on a mission to stop the rise of Thanos, a powerful alien from the Saturnian moon of Titan.
Thanos, an ambitious and tyrannical figure, is revealed as a manipulative and dangerous villain with plans to dominate the universe. He is accompanied by his minions, including The Blood Brothers, a pair of brutish aliens who serve as his enforcers. These two villains ambush Iron Man, leading to a fierce battle where Stark struggles to hold his own against their combined strength.
Throughout the story, the stakes are heightened as glimpses of Thanos’s grand ambitions are revealed. He seeks ultimate power and control over the universe, a theme that would define his character in future storylines. Meanwhile, Drax’s backstory and singular purpose—to destroy Thanos—are teased, setting up their intense rivalry.
Iron Man ultimately defeats The Blood Brothers with his ingenuity, narrowly escaping their trap. However, the encounter leaves him and readers with the ominous realization of Thanos’s growing threat, which would ripple through Marvel’s cosmic stories for decades to come.
Key Themes
- Cosmic Power and Ambition: The issue introduces Thanos’s obsession with power and hints at his nihilistic philosophy, which would later center around his fascination with Death.
- Good vs. Evil: The classic superhero theme of heroism is expanded into the cosmic realm, with Iron Man unwittingly drawn into a much larger conflict.
- Destiny and Rivalry: Drax and Thanos’s intertwined destinies begin here, laying the foundation for their iconic enmity.
Significance
- First Appearance of Thanos: This issue debuts the Mad Titan, one of Marvel’s greatest villains, whose influence would span countless storylines, including the Infinity Gauntlet saga and beyond.
- Introduction of Drax the Destroyer: Drax, a key cosmic character with a tragic backstory tied directly to Thanos, also makes his first appearance.
- Jim Starlin’s Vision: Starlin’s storytelling introduced a blend of cosmic mythology and personal conflict, setting the stage for Marvel’s expansive cosmic narratives.
Iron Man #55 is a historic comic that marks the beginning of Thanos’s reign as a central antagonist in Marvel’s cosmic universe. With its action-packed story and introduction of key characters, it remains a must-read for fans of Marvel’s cosmic saga and Iron Man alike.