Iron Man #36
April 1971 · Marvel Comics - NM- (9.2)
A gritty, early-’70s Invincible Iron Man issue that drops Tony Stark into the middle of a wider Marvel espionage web, blending street-level danger, super-science, and Cold War paranoia.
Key highlights:
Introduction of Ramrod, an alien enforcer whose brutal, no-nonsense presence gives this issue a darker, more grounded tone than typical Iron Man fare.
Guest appearance by Daredevil, tying directly into events from Daredevil #73 and reinforcing Marvel’s increasingly interconnected universe.
Script by Gerry Conway, with interior art by Don Heck and inks by Mike Esposito, delivering clean, muscular storytelling rooted in classic Marvel realism.
Supporting cast includes Nick Fury, Madame Masque, Spymaster, and members of the Zodiac, adding layers of espionage intrigue and continuity depth.
Sal Buscema cover art captures Iron Man at peak Bronze Age intensity—dynamic, aggressive, and firmly planted in the era’s tougher superhero sensibility.
Packed with vintage early-’70s Marvel ads, Bullpen Bulletins, and the “Sock It to Shell-Head” letters page for full period flavor.
Why it matters:
Iron Man #36 sits squarely in Marvel’s transition toward more complex, interconnected storytelling. It’s not just an Iron Man solo adventure—it’s a crossover-driven chapter that pulls Stark into the wider Marvel intelligence and crime landscape, foreshadowing the direction the character would take throughout the Bronze Age.
Condition notes:
Condition: NM- (9.2)
Exceptionally sharp copy with strong cover gloss, tight spine, and crisp corners. Pages are clean and supple with excellent color retention. Minor handling at most, consistent with a high-grade Bronze Age Marvel.
Iron Man #36
April 1971 · Marvel Comics - NM- (9.2)
A gritty, early-’70s Invincible Iron Man issue that drops Tony Stark into the middle of a wider Marvel espionage web, blending street-level danger, super-science, and Cold War paranoia.
Key highlights:
Introduction of Ramrod, an alien enforcer whose brutal, no-nonsense presence gives this issue a darker, more grounded tone than typical Iron Man fare.
Guest appearance by Daredevil, tying directly into events from Daredevil #73 and reinforcing Marvel’s increasingly interconnected universe.
Script by Gerry Conway, with interior art by Don Heck and inks by Mike Esposito, delivering clean, muscular storytelling rooted in classic Marvel realism.
Supporting cast includes Nick Fury, Madame Masque, Spymaster, and members of the Zodiac, adding layers of espionage intrigue and continuity depth.
Sal Buscema cover art captures Iron Man at peak Bronze Age intensity—dynamic, aggressive, and firmly planted in the era’s tougher superhero sensibility.
Packed with vintage early-’70s Marvel ads, Bullpen Bulletins, and the “Sock It to Shell-Head” letters page for full period flavor.
Why it matters:
Iron Man #36 sits squarely in Marvel’s transition toward more complex, interconnected storytelling. It’s not just an Iron Man solo adventure—it’s a crossover-driven chapter that pulls Stark into the wider Marvel intelligence and crime landscape, foreshadowing the direction the character would take throughout the Bronze Age.
Condition notes:
Condition: NM- (9.2)
Exceptionally sharp copy with strong cover gloss, tight spine, and crisp corners. Pages are clean and supple with excellent color retention. Minor handling at most, consistent with a high-grade Bronze Age Marvel.
