While testing out a new helmet for the Iron Man armor, Tony Stark receives a summons to the Pentagon. A new line of Stark's observer missiles has failed completely, and suspicions fall on Tony. Tony investigates the situation, only to discover the fault is not with the technology, but with the Mandarin, who has been quietly manipulating the missiles into error. He has no choice but to face the Mandarin once again.

However, Mandarin is too powerful for Iron Man, and manages to defeat him. Iron Man is left wondering how he will escape, with no idea what will happen.

Also includes: "Skrang Strikes Tonight!" (Lee, Lieber, Ayers, Simek); "Tales of the Watcher: Hands Off!" (Lee, Lieber, Stone, Simek)