Synopsis / Summary / Plot
SHIELD has been keeping a serious spy eye on Riri Williams. A briefing to Executive Director Sharon Carter gives us a rundown on the life of teen genius Riri and her current options of returning to MIT, having free rein in Tony Stark's personal lab, and joining the Champions. 1 of SHIELD's major concerns is the Tony Stark AI that advises her, and what it might do if it went rogue.
As she suits up as Ironheart for a morning patrol Riri herself is wondering just how much of an independent person the AI is. The AI is evasive and changes the subject to her choices. Riri avoids that by engaging a villain in battle - Will O' The Wisp who has smashed his way into a Roxxon facility.
The AI tells Ironheart about the enemy's ability to control his own density. But Riri is more interested in Tony's opinion on which choice she should make rather than concentrating on the fight. And super-dense Will O' The Wisp knocks her out. The AI has to take over the armour to take her to safety.
Riri wakes up in the New York Stark lab with Amanda Armstrong (Tony's mother and CEO of Stark Industries while he's in a coma), Mary Jane Watson (Tony's PA when he wasn't in the coma) and Friday (the AI who really runs the company). AI Tony joins them and says the Avengers have dealt with the situation - but only to the extent of holding Will O' The Wisp off while Roxxon safely hid what the foe was trying to steal (whatever that was).
Amanda tries to bolster Riri's confidence. And AI Tony tells her he admires her. And that human Tony saw her as a daughter he was unlikely to have in his Iron Man life. Friday brings things down to earth by suggesting Riri learn from the armour's recording of her mistakes. And AI Tony adds that next time it might not just be a minor foe like Will O' The Wisp.
Meanwhile Sharon Carter is at a gala benefit at the Smithsonian Museum when she is approached by Geraldo Lucky (from last issue). Carter isn't interested in what an international arms/drugs dealer has to say, unless he wants to give himself up for arrest. But her interest rises dramatically when he mentions he's just helped Lucia von Bardas regain control of Latveria (again last issue).
Lucky tells her Von Bardas wants them all dead, and then collapses on the floor. Sharon fires her gun in the air to get the crowd's attention and tell them to evacuate the building. And then Mr Lucky explodes violently.
Back in her garage workshop Riri is as usual scanning multiple news channels while she works. When she hears about the bomb she suits up and flies off immediately.