Synopsis / Summary / Plot
Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin #5 Synopsis by
Rob Johnson
Iron Man heads to China strapped to a missile, as Mandarin deploys his stolen Western (ie American) technology. But it is Tony Stark who appears at Mandarin's gate, to be thrown in a dungeon. He is relieved of the briefcase he clutches, but Mandarin's people can't get it open, nor scan what's inside it.
Mandarin goes to talk with Stark. He can't understand why Stark has walked unarmed into the lion's den. They exchange philosophies. Stark says that stealing weapons, including hijacking the orbital platform last issue, shows Mandarin doesn't respect international law. Mandarin repostes that the weapons he took were from the CIA arming Asian rebels, suggesting that America is cavalier in that respect also. Stark accuses Mandarin of being a despot. Mandarin replies that so-called democracy just leads to rule by other kinds of power.
Mandarin sees that Stark is stuck in his beliefs. So he orders his execution, and leaves to supervise deployment of the orbital station. But as the executioner brings his axe down on Stark's head, Tony kicks him where it hurts. And the misaimed blade severs his chains. After dealing with the executioner, Tony sneaks through the castle towards where he presumably can detect his briefcase. A burst from his chest-beam takes care of the guards, and Stark opens the case to retrieve the rest of his armour.
Mandarin expects Iron Man to come to rescue his boss, so he dons his battle armour just before Shellhead does indeed burst into his throne room. The stage is set for a rematch from #1-2 (and Tales of Suspense #50). But now Iron Man has the new armour he built last issue (and in between ToS#53 and #54).
Despite getting some licks in, Iron Man loses the initial rounds, including the use of some of Mandarin's ring effects like impact, fire, ice and darkness. There are also weapons built into the surroundings, and the Golden Avenger is eventually bound in metal tape.