Synopsis / Summary / Plot
In New York doctors try to save Iron Man from the heart attack caused by Living Laser last issue. But Tony Stark knows their efforts will only kill him, so he has to use minimal force to stop them. And then limps away.
At Stark Resilient Bethany Cabe tests a new use of repulsor technology to provide an armoured vest.
In Mandarin City Blizzard and Living Laser discuss the bombs Mandarin had Ezekiel Stane put inside them to ensure their loyalty. Laser worries that Mandarin will just kill them when they're no longer useful. He mentions that there are about a dozen upgraded villains here in the same situation, and suggests that they should plan a pre-emptive strike. Blizzard doesn't think they would stand a chance, especially as Mandarin can probably switch off their upgraded powers.
Meanwhile Stane is working on some Dreadnought robots. They're not as ready as he wants, but Mandarin wants them deployed now in China (for unstated reasons). Stane is worried about the escalation, but Mandarin says he's declaring war on the world. Stane protests some more, but Mandarin uses a ring to affect his mind and make him obedient. (But Stane's mind doesn't seem completely changed.)
The Dreadnoughts are launched.
Justine and Sasha Hammer are attending the empty-coffin funeral of Doug Johnson, the first to use their Detroit Steel armour. (They don't know that he resurfaced alive in Paris last issue.) They know about the Dreadnoughts, and send the Detroit Steel Corps to the scene. They also know the army is sending War Machine. (A continuity gaffe, as the army doesn't know there's anywhere to send him yet.)
Meanwhile Tony meets Henry Hellrung in a New York cafe. A cop interrupts them because there is an APB out for Stark. The authorities are concerned about Iron Man's recent actions. But Tony hears about the attack in China and jets off as Iron Man.
In Washington Gen'l Babbage is officially querying Stark's fitness to be Iron Man. He quotes the suspicion that Stark has been drunk in charge of the suit, fuelled by his refusal to hand over the suit's biometric data log. James Rhodes interrupts to pass on info from Stark about the problem in China, which only shows up on the army's intel a bit later. Babbage sends Rhodey to China as War Machine, to help but then to bring Stark back for questioning.
The Dreadnoughts are attacking the Three Gorges Dam, the biggest hydroelectric dam in the world.