Synopsis / Summary / Plot
Tony Stark donned a new suit of specialised space-armour last issue, and headed off into space. Now we find Iron Man defending an ancient artificial planet called the Voldi Tear against mechanoid pirates:- 1 page and a double-page spread of space battle.
Then we cut to the more serious pursuit of romancing a Voldi woman named Veritina. (But still in armour.) During the proceedings a floating intelligent tray offers Tony a drink, as it's his birthday. His onboard AI PEPPER had informed the bar AI. Stark turns the drink down (ostensibly because he can't drink through his helmet, not because he's an alcoholic).
Iron Man notices a 30ft robot staring at him. Veritina says it's Death's Head the bounty hunter. Tony takes this as a cue for them to leave the bar, and head to her place (or her palace as it turns out).
The Voldi are an ancient race that have evolved past barbarian fighting. They all have everything they want, so effectively they're all princes and princesses, and they all live in palaces. They have often dealt with cosmic powers, but something called the Heart of the Voldi (at least I assume it's a capitalised thing) protects them from such beings. However it's not much use against simpler physical threats like the pirates.
Significantly one of the cosmic beings who has visited them often is called the Void Falcon.
The Voldi have learned much from these cosmic powers. And they have passed knowledge on to younger species, in return for peace treaties and protection, presumably from people like the pirates. (Which didn't seem to work here.) Their influence can be seen everywhere. For instance the Shi'ar fashion for having their head-feathers in a triangular shape is very similar to the Voldi.
Tony's encounter with the alien princess is progressing to it's desired conclusion. But when he opens his helmet, Veritina recoils from the sight of his moustache and beard. She throws him out, despite his offer to shave.
Outside, PEPPER informs him he's about to be attacked by some robots. After he's trashed them, he discovers they were the local police, mechanohoplites, out to arrest him for deicide. Law-abiding soul that he is, Tony gives himself up.
When he faces the Supreme Justicar, without his armour, he learns that he is accused of killing the Void Falcon. Otherwise known as the Phoenix.