Synopsis / Summary / Plot
A purple mist lands in Jotunheim, land of the Frost Giants, and coalesces into Malekith, lord of the Dark Elves, who has conquered 9 of the 10 Asgardian Realms and now has his sights on the 10th, Midgard (Earth). But he has come here now to speak to Sadurang the dragon, former student of Dormammu, with a suggestion that might be mutually beneficial. He tells him of an Earth warrior clad in iron, which is fatal to Elves. He is called the Golden Avenger because of all his gold, and like all dragons Sadurang is sorely tempted by that. So he leaves his own hoard of gold and gems, 1 of which he indicates is a 2nd Eye Of Agamotto, to go vanquish this golden knight.
In Stark Unlimited HQ Tony Stark is in his sanctum The Forge showing James Rhodes his new toy the Hulkbot or Gammadroid or Mr Incredible. It has been created by some other toys, robots called Smith-1, Smith-2, etc. Tony claims that this isn't a reference to blacksmiths but to the band The Smiths - they were initially very gloomy, but the robots have been lightened up a bit since then. And yet another toy is the crown on Hulkbot's head.
Tony explains that this is a prototype of a device for Bruce Banner, who blames himself for all the damage Hulk does. It will monitor his emotional state and apply stimuli to steer him away from Hulking out. Rhodey worries that Tony actually created it to help *himself* with his alcoholism. Stark says he *didn't* invent it, the Smiths did - he just gave them an outline of the problem.
A Smith interrupts to hand them some coffees and asks them to pose for a photo. Tony explains that the robots think they are a couple. Later he'll go further and reveal that their AI is based on a dating app. Rhodes is more concerned that allowing AI's to design and build his tech is dangerous - in this case the crown could potentially lobotomise its wearer.
As if to prove his point the Hulkbot has an identity crisis and goes on a smash rampage. Stark tells a Smithsbot to bring him an Iron Man gauntlet. The bot complies but asks if his 'lovely companion' will need formal attire too. However 1 repulsor ray blast takes the Hulk out. Tony's still not convinced having tech creating tech is a bad idea. He believes it's the AI that's the problem. Having lost Friday and Motherboard (in the last few issues) he hasn't yet got a quality replacement.
Rhodey's still worried that Tony intends to use the behaviour-modifying crown on himself, since Motherboard got him to start drinking again in the eScape virtual reality. The Smiths still think they make a great couple.
In the foyer a hologram receptionist greets Sadurang in human disguise (if you ignore the walking cane with a flaming handle) demanding to see her master. She tells him Mr Stark is unavailable, and a security guard tries to throw him out. Sadurang demands to know where the gold is, to much confusion.
Meanwhile Tony is flying his car home. He calls up his girlfriend Janet van Dyne but gets her answering service. He goes for a dip in his pool while trying to justify using the crown to 'cure' his alcoholism. He likens it to medicine or a prosthetic. He says it needs testing and he can't ask anyone else to risk the consequences. He gets out of the pool to where the device sits next to a bottle of Scotch. He puts it on his head. And suffers a monster headache.
Back at SU armed guards surround Sadurang who responds by assuming his dragon form and incinerating 3 of them. Security Chief Bethany Cabe tells the other guards to stand down while they bring in bigger guns. Jim Rhodes heads off to get *his* armament, and Dr Shapiro the talking cat offers to armour up. Cabe can't send the drones in because the SU computers suddenly only understand Latin.
Rhodes now attacks Sadurang in his Manticore assault vehicle. Beth finds somebody who remembers learning Latin. The cat joins the scrap inside its own 4-legged armour/vehicle. Both it and the Manticore are smashed aside. But then Iron Man comes to the rescue and does a bit better until he too gets swatted. Latin guy gets control of the computer system and sends everything at the dragon.
Iron man gets up and Stark boasts about defeating Fin Fang Foom recently (#1). Sadurang reads his mind to confirm it and is impressed. Dr Shapiro and the Manticore are now up and running again and they're joined by Hulkbot and the Smiths. Sadurang chooses a strategic retreat but threatens to return tonight armed with appropriate spells. Iron Man and the others would chase after him but Rhodey and Bethany notice that his armour is leaking magic.