Iron Man#163

Iron Man #163

Oct 1982 · Marvel

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★ 1st appearance — Obadiah Stane

About this Issue

Iron Man #163 is the opening move in one of the most psychologically ambitious villain introductions of the Bronze Age: Obadiah Stane, who would eventually become the Iron Monger, makes his first appearance here — deliberately kept in shadow to emphasize his role as a hidden, chess-obsessed manipulator pulling strings behind the scenes. The issue simultaneously debuts the Chessmen, Stane's chess-themed enforcers, and Indries Moomji, a love interest who is later revealed to be part of Stane's scheme to destroy Tony Stark from the inside out. Denny O'Neil's long-game storytelling — a multi-year arc threading corporate sabotage, alcoholism, and identity collapse — begins in earnest with this issue, making it the narrative seed for everything from Stark's loss of the Iron Man mantle to Jim Rhodes's extended stint as the armored hero. The character of Stane proved durable enough to anchor the 2008 Iron Man film, bringing the events seeded here to a global audience.

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (Fine) $4

CGC 9.8 $85

CGC 9.6 $31*

CGC 9.4 $20

CGC 9.2 $20*

CGC 9.0 $20*

CGC 8.5 $20*

Show all 22 grades ▾

CGC 8.0 $20*

CGC 7.5 $20*

CGC 7.0 $20*

CGC 6.5 $20*

CGC 6.0 $20*

CGC 5.5 $20*

CGC 5.0 $20*

CGC 4.5 $20*

CGC 4.0 $20*

CGC 3.5 $20*

CGC 3.0 $20*

CGC 2.5 $20*

CGC 2.0 $20*

CGC 1.5 $20*

CGC 1.0 $20*

CGC 0.5 $20*

* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

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History

Denny O'Neil took over Iron Man as regular scripter beginning with issue #158 in 1982, bringing his signature interest in psychological realism and addiction — themes he had explored at DC with Green Arrow and Green Lantern — to Marvel's armored avenger. Issue #163, titled 'Knight's Errand!', was produced with interior art by penciler Luke McDonnell and inker Steve Mitchell, while the cover was supplied by Jim Starlin (signing his cover work with the initials 'JPS'). Mark Gruenwald served as editor under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, with Mike Carlin credited as assistant editor; the on-sale date recorded by contemporary trade sources was July 13, 1982, for an October 1982 cover date.

Trivia · 8 facts

First cameo appearance of Obadiah Stane (seen only in shadow / partially, identified only as 'the master'); his first full appearance comes in Iron Man #166.
First team appearance of the Chessmen — Stane's chess-themed agents — including the Knight, Bishop, Rook, and Pawn, each debuting as named individual characters.
First appearance of Indries Moomji, introduced as a love interest for Tony Stark; later revealed to be a Stane operative working to destabilize Stark emotionally.
Written by Denny O'Neil; interior pencils by Luke McDonnell, inks by Steve Mitchell, letters by Rick Parker; cover art by Jim Starlin (signed as 'JPS').
Edited by Mark Gruenwald under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter; Mike Carlin served as assistant editor.
Story title: 'Knight's Errand!' — on-sale July 13, 1982, with an October 1982 cover date.
The main story was reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man Vol. 16 (2022); the cover also contains a short backup feature — 'The Challenge of the Chessmen!' — with pencils and inks also by Jim Starlin.
Obadiah Stane, fully introduced across this story arc, was adapted as the primary antagonist of the 2008 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man, portrayed by Jeff Bridges.