How should power be wielded? An ethical question at best… but in a practical
sense, what really is power? How is it defined?
Is it the ability to pulverize? The ability to influence? The ability to purchase?
Is it defined by one’s ability not to respond and shrug it off?
All valid questions, particularly when one decides to look behind the curtain of
Stark Industries.
In a few short years Stark Industries has gone from a boutique technology shop to
the U.S. Military’s number one government contractor. Stark Industries now
supplies the Pentagon with a full 2/3 of all basic, intermediate and advanced
weapons systems, as well as much of the logistical support for military deployments
around the world. How did Tony Stark, a man who spends as much time wooing
women as he does politicians, pull off what could only be referred to as a mind-
numbing coup of the U.S. military-industrial complex?
sense, what really is power? How is it defined?
Is it the ability to pulverize? The ability to influence? The ability to purchase?
Is it defined by one’s ability not to respond and shrug it off?
All valid questions, particularly when one decides to look behind the curtain of
Stark Industries.
In a few short years Stark Industries has gone from a boutique technology shop to
the U.S. Military’s number one government contractor. Stark Industries now
supplies the Pentagon with a full 2/3 of all basic, intermediate and advanced
weapons systems, as well as much of the logistical support for military deployments
around the world. How did Tony Stark, a man who spends as much time wooing
women as he does politicians, pull off what could only be referred to as a mind-
numbing coup of the U.S. military-industrial complex?
More recently, we’ve seen what happens to anyone who thinks that military spending ought to be curtailed or cut-back in favor of
domestic or social programs. Not even Presidents are safe when this shadowy power feels threatened.
Marvel Confidential contacted Stark Industries, as well as Mr. Stark’s personal assistant Ms. Pepper Potts, for an interview (or some
sort of quote or co-operation) for this article. All requests were respectfully declined.
domestic or social programs. Not even Presidents are safe when this shadowy power feels threatened.
Marvel Confidential contacted Stark Industries, as well as Mr. Stark’s personal assistant Ms. Pepper Potts, for an interview (or some
sort of quote or co-operation) for this article. All requests were respectfully declined.
| Tony Stark meeting with then President Kennedy at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. |
When the layers are peeled back on Stark Industries, the first question one
encounters is one of motivation.
Secrets are often whispered in the halls of power. Unnamed sources close to the
Johnson Administration have indicated that, following the horrible events in Dallas
several years ago, an amazing reversal of policy occurred from one Administration to
another. Rumors indicate that a top secret government memorandum named NSAM
273 reversed President Kennedy’s intended plans of removing American forces from
Vietnam. The problem with the reversal is that the general public is mostly unaware of
Kennedy’s original order, let alone Johnson’s changes to it.
Now, for the first time, Marvel Confidential can reveal the contents of Kennedy’s
original order, NSAM 263, which we have obtained from confidential sources within the
Pentagon.
encounters is one of motivation.
Secrets are often whispered in the halls of power. Unnamed sources close to the
Johnson Administration have indicated that, following the horrible events in Dallas
several years ago, an amazing reversal of policy occurred from one Administration to
another. Rumors indicate that a top secret government memorandum named NSAM
273 reversed President Kennedy’s intended plans of removing American forces from
Vietnam. The problem with the reversal is that the general public is mostly unaware of
Kennedy’s original order, let alone Johnson’s changes to it.
Now, for the first time, Marvel Confidential can reveal the contents of Kennedy’s
original order, NSAM 263, which we have obtained from confidential sources within the
Pentagon.
| National Security Action Memorandum #263, a long-secret document issued by President Kennedy a little more than a month before his assassination. |
It is no secret that there was no love lost between Tony
Stark and President Kennedy, nor between President
Kennedy and then Vice-President Johnson. Stark
contributed generously to Kennedy’s campaign, mainly
due to his family’s life-long relationship with Lyndon
Johnson. Johnson had persuaded Stark to support the
Democratic ticket early on and he was an active
participant in the 1960 campaign.
Once Kennedy was in the White House, Stark, as most
others in his position do, expected to receive payback
for his financial backing of the ticket. Sources say that
Kennedy did what he could to steer government
contracts to Stark Industriess, but Kennedy’s clout within
his own military establishment was seriously wanting.
Stark made no qualms about publicly insinuating that
politicians are only good during an election and forget
you once they’re in office.
Stark and President Kennedy, nor between President
Kennedy and then Vice-President Johnson. Stark
contributed generously to Kennedy’s campaign, mainly
due to his family’s life-long relationship with Lyndon
Johnson. Johnson had persuaded Stark to support the
Democratic ticket early on and he was an active
participant in the 1960 campaign.
Once Kennedy was in the White House, Stark, as most
others in his position do, expected to receive payback
for his financial backing of the ticket. Sources say that
Kennedy did what he could to steer government
contracts to Stark Industriess, but Kennedy’s clout within
his own military establishment was seriously wanting.
Stark made no qualms about publicly insinuating that
politicians are only good during an election and forget
you once they’re in office.
Confidantes of Kennedy have been quoted anonymously
in numerous publications indicating Kennedy’s fury at
Stark’s disrespect for the Office of The President.
in numerous publications indicating Kennedy’s fury at
Stark’s disrespect for the Office of The President.
So it was not surprising that many tongues were wagging in early November 1963 when Tony Stark was asked by Kennedy to travel to
Vietnam to meet with military commanders regarding weapons needs and specifications. As a well known American businessman,
reports at the time suggested that Kennedy was using Stark to impress upon the government of South Vietnam that America was
committed to the fight against Communism. What most didn’t know, and what secret leaked documents now tell us, was that Kennedy
had no intentions of supporting the war effort. He was using Stark to give a false impression while his administration was quietly
planning the removal of all advisors and combat troops by 1965.
What happened next has been hotly debated for several years now. Reports began to make their way back to American media outlets
that something had happened to Stark on his mission. First reports were that he had been kidnapped, followed by reports of his death.
For several days no one was really sure what had happened and Kennedy’s Administration remained mum, invoking national security
when questioned about the situation. It was soon revealed that all hell had broken loose in South Vietnam and Stark had been caught
in the middle of a military coup – a coup which would ultimately take the lives of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his
brother and advisor, Ngo Dinh Nhu. When the dust had settled, Stark was back in the States and in an undisclosed location undergoing
medical treatment for a serious and life-threatening injury. It was following this event that Stark, seriously concerned about his
personal security, began to be seen with his new armored body-guard, Iron Man.
Vietnam to meet with military commanders regarding weapons needs and specifications. As a well known American businessman,
reports at the time suggested that Kennedy was using Stark to impress upon the government of South Vietnam that America was
committed to the fight against Communism. What most didn’t know, and what secret leaked documents now tell us, was that Kennedy
had no intentions of supporting the war effort. He was using Stark to give a false impression while his administration was quietly
planning the removal of all advisors and combat troops by 1965.
What happened next has been hotly debated for several years now. Reports began to make their way back to American media outlets
that something had happened to Stark on his mission. First reports were that he had been kidnapped, followed by reports of his death.
For several days no one was really sure what had happened and Kennedy’s Administration remained mum, invoking national security
when questioned about the situation. It was soon revealed that all hell had broken loose in South Vietnam and Stark had been caught
in the middle of a military coup – a coup which would ultimately take the lives of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his
brother and advisor, Ngo Dinh Nhu. When the dust had settled, Stark was back in the States and in an undisclosed location undergoing
medical treatment for a serious and life-threatening injury. It was following this event that Stark, seriously concerned about his
personal security, began to be seen with his new armored body-guard, Iron Man.
| Iron Man, a personal bodyguard who Stark began employing following his "accident" in Vietnam, holds back a crowd in New York as Stark arrives for the U.N. General Assembly |
In the almost 5 years since Kennedy’s assassination, Stark Industries has gone from
a boutique electronics shop to the world’s largest defense contractor and arms
dealer. If people had thought Stark was close with Kennedy, they can only assume
that he is an actual “unofficial” member of the Johnson Administration! Stark is
often jetting around the world on behalf of Johnson initiatives. Even Stark’s
personal bodyguard and Avenger, Iron Man, can be seen regularly meeting with LBJ
in the West Wing. Rumors even continue to circulate that Stark, while in
Washington to attend Kennedy’s funeral, actually helped Johnson craft NSAM 273,
the document which whole-heartedly committed the United States to the War in
Vietnam, and in so doing, turned Stark into a global power-player the likes of which
the world has never known. One can’t help but wonder where Stark might be today
had Kennedy lived. That, however, is a story for another issue.
a boutique electronics shop to the world’s largest defense contractor and arms
dealer. If people had thought Stark was close with Kennedy, they can only assume
that he is an actual “unofficial” member of the Johnson Administration! Stark is
often jetting around the world on behalf of Johnson initiatives. Even Stark’s
personal bodyguard and Avenger, Iron Man, can be seen regularly meeting with LBJ
in the West Wing. Rumors even continue to circulate that Stark, while in
Washington to attend Kennedy’s funeral, actually helped Johnson craft NSAM 273,
the document which whole-heartedly committed the United States to the War in
Vietnam, and in so doing, turned Stark into a global power-player the likes of which
the world has never known. One can’t help but wonder where Stark might be today
had Kennedy lived. That, however, is a story for another issue.
Perhaps their demeanors would have been different had they known this would be
one of the last times they would be meet. But then again, perhaps not.
Stark, reportedly at the behest of Johnson, made a quick appearance with Kennedy
upon his arrival in Fort Worth on the morning of November 22, but
one of the last times they would be meet. But then again, perhaps not.
Stark, reportedly at the behest of Johnson, made a quick appearance with Kennedy
upon his arrival in Fort Worth on the morning of November 22, but
Stark, following his
release from the
hospital, sat for a
public appearance
and photo-op with
Kennedy, just days
before the tragedy in
Dallas. Stark and
Kennedy look clearly
uncomfortable in each
other’s presence.
release from the
hospital, sat for a
public appearance
and photo-op with
Kennedy, just days
before the tragedy in
Dallas. Stark and
Kennedy look clearly
uncomfortable in each
other’s presence.
| A Nov 63 photo-op of JFK and Stark. Tension is clearly in the air. |
reportedly flew back to New York following Kennedy’s speech. News reports placed him “in the air en route” to New York at the time of
the assassination. The whispers which followed this national tragedy we dare not repeat here in print.
the assassination. The whispers which followed this national tragedy we dare not repeat here in print.
| Nov. 22, 1963: Stark appears with Kennedy, Gov. Connally and LBJ just hours before the assassination. |
| A White House hand-out press photo of Iron Man meeting with president Johnson. |
| Copies of the 3-page National Security Memorandum #273, Johnson document reversing Kennedy's secret withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Vietnam. Rumors suggest that Tony Stark helped craft this NSAM while in Washington for JFK's funeral. |
It was nearly 10 years ago that President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us of this
specter… this unseen and hidden power behind this unelected “secret
government.” His warning was in vain because now this shadowy consortium
exerts more influence over our elected officials than the citizens who actually
enter the voting booths every four years.
specter… this unseen and hidden power behind this unelected “secret
government.” His warning was in vain because now this shadowy consortium
exerts more influence over our elected officials than the citizens who actually
enter the voting booths every four years.
Now, years after, and many tragedies later, Marvel Confidential has learned
that the Kennedy Administration was in chaos over the coup. Conflicting
reports of administration shock at the coup were buttressed against
reports that the Administration had supported the coup. Tight-lipped
whispers are now circulating that the coup was actually a cover for the
Kennedy Administration’s efforts to have Stark, who had become a thorn in
Kennedy’s side during an important election year, removed. Stark, as a big
fund-raiser and contributor to the Kennedy campaign was, according to
sources, becoming increasingly belligerent with the President regarding
government contracts which Stark Industries had been pursuing.
that the Kennedy Administration was in chaos over the coup. Conflicting
reports of administration shock at the coup were buttressed against
reports that the Administration had supported the coup. Tight-lipped
whispers are now circulating that the coup was actually a cover for the
Kennedy Administration’s efforts to have Stark, who had become a thorn in
Kennedy’s side during an important election year, removed. Stark, as a big
fund-raiser and contributor to the Kennedy campaign was, according to
sources, becoming increasingly belligerent with the President regarding
government contracts which Stark Industries had been pursuing.
| Tony Stark meeting with then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson, JFK's Vice-Presidential running mate and long-time friend of Stark's. |
