Comics:Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin Vol 1 1

From Marvel Database

November, 2007

"Enter the Mandarin"
Writers Joe Casey Pencilers Eric Canete Inkers Eric Canete Colourists Dave Stewart Letterers Comicraft Editors Stephen Wacker

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Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin #2

The Mandarin, I presume? Your hospitality leaves a lot to be desired.

-- Iron Man

Appearing in "Enter the Mandarin"

Featured Characters:

Iron Man

Supporting Characters:

Villains:

Mandarin (Also in flashback)

Other Characters:

Kakarantharaians (Appears in flashback and main story)
S.H.I.E.L.D.

Anonymous S.H.I.E.L.D. agent
Director Rick Stoner (Behind the scenes)

Locations:

New York City

China

Items:

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "Enter the Mandarin"

1954
A man who will one day come to be known as the Mandarin scales the peaks in the Valley of Spirits. He discovers the ruins of a derelict space craft and recovers ten ornate rings - all of which enable him to wield great power. Feeling as if it is his destiny to wield such tools, the Mandarin begins establishing his power base in Communist China.

Decades later
Stark Industries CEO Tony Stark is called into a special S.H.I.E.L.D. conference. They want his "bodyguard" Iron Man to perform a deep cover reconnaissance mission in China. When he asks why, they tell him that a Chinese warlord has been exerting undue influence over the political climate and they want Iron Man to assess the threat level.

At his castle, the Mandarin has a meeting with a group of Chinese nationals. They want him to use his power and influence for the benefit of the state, but the Mandarin feels that he is beyond such pedestrian matters. They attempt to force him to comply, but the Mandarin responds by destroying them with the power of his rings.

Later, a S.H.I.E.L.D. dropship deposits Iron Man over mainland China. He flies to the Mandarin's castle and navigates through a gauntlet of security devices. The Mandarin secretly monitors the display from his private chambers and decides that this Iron Man represents the antithesis of everything that he stands against. Donning his ceremonial cloak and helmet, the Mandarin readies himself for battle. Upon meeting for the first time, the two combatants charge at one another.

Notes

Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin re-imagines Iron Man's first fight against his arch-nemesis the Mandarin. The Mandarin first appeared in Tales of Suspense #50. This series adapts the original Stan Lee and Jack Kirby tales from Tales of Suspense #50-55.

Information provided in issue #2 establishes that the events of this series take place in the month of April.

In this issue, Tony's company is called Stark Industries, but an email Pepper Potts in issue #2 identifies it as Stark International.

Rick Stoner was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. during this time era and the predecessor to Nick Fury.

Trivia

This issue establishes that the Mandarin first discovered his Makluan power rings in 1954.

Links and References