Episode 148: Worker Safety (Tales of Suspense #57) -- September 1964

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss workplace safety issues at StarkCorp. A man was saved by Iron Man, but is that an acceptable solution? Iron Man can’t be standing on duty at every plant. Using superheroes as safety supervisors seems like negligence combined with “putting a patch on it”. Too often it seems that the world’s problems are being “patched” by superheroes. We need to solve the root causes.

Behind the comic:

This is Hawkeye’s first appearance, in which he is billed as an “archvillain”, although his only public role is limited to a heist of a jewelry store, which is not commented on in the episode. What is interesting is that he is working with (being manipulated by?) the Black Widow, with whom he is smitten. How much of their partnership in the MCU is based on this first appearance in which they are “partners”?

In this issue:

Iron Man saves a Stark Corp. worker from a workplace accident. After doing that, Tony Stark decides to take his assistant Pepper Potts on a date, which is interrupted by another malfunction which puts lives in danger, leading Tony to change into his Iron Man armour and save the day again. Meanwhile, a circus performer decides to become a costumed adventurer, and thus begins the career of (eventually legendary) Hawkeye. He intercepts a robber but is mistaken by the police as being part of the robbery. Hawkeye escapes and is picked up by the Black Widow. She convinces him to help him defeat Iron Man. Hawkeye attacks Iron Man and holds his own for a while, although ultimately Iron Man comes out on top. Hawkeye escapes, with an injured Black Widow.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering how much Iron Man gets paid to act as a workplace safety supervisor.

This episode takes place:

After Iron Man defeats Hawkeye.

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