The Mandarin is back and desperately needs Tony's help to claim the eighth Makluan ring. Tony refuses his offer until the Mandarin uses one of the Makluan Rings to make Tony a slave for him. Now Tony has no choice but to join forces with the Mandarin and get the eighth Makluan ring, which is guarded by the Grim Reaper.

When S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Mallen is fired by General Nick Fury, Mallen takes the super-serum "Extremis" and mutates into a powerful maniac bent on revenge. When Iron Man tries to fight Mallen, he ends up defeated and in critical health... and his only salvation would be a dose of the selfsame Extremis.