Tony fakes his death after several attempts on his life, which seemed connected to a larger plan involving the abduction of four industrialists by the Mandarin. Tony returns in a more powerful suit of armor and has to team up with a double crossed Mandarin to stop Fin Fang Foom from taking over the world.

The Mandarin has reclaimed all ten rings and plans to turn Earth back into a pre-technology society using an anti-technology field, with him in charge. He demonstrates the power of the field by disabling New York City and Iron Man himself. Unable to defeat him alone, Tony brings the Force Works team back together.

The Mandarin has captured Iron Man and learns his true identity. The rest of Force Works arrive at the Mandarin's citadel in a rescue attempt, but are captured. The Mandarin is now ready to complete his plan, using their energies to power the Heart of Darkness. But Tony manages to escape to Jim and Su-Yin, who helps build an armor immune to the anti-technology field. Iron Man and War Machine are now ready for the final battle.