Appearing in "Mandarin and the Unicorn: Double-Death!"
Iron Man #58
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Unicorn (Main story and flashback)
- Gene Khan (Mandarin) (Main story and flashback)
- Nick (Rabble-Rouser)
Other Characters:
- Stark Industries
- Two unnamed guards
- Dr. Guy Lillian (First appearance)
- Red Ghost (Ivan Kraggoff) (Mentioned)
- Numerous unnamed protesters
- Mark Spitz (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)
- NYPD
- Two unnamed police officers
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earthspace (Main story and flashback)
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- North America
- United States of America
- New York
- New York City
- Long Island
- Manhattan
- Mandarin's Office Building
- New York City
- Connecticut
- New York
- United States of America
- Asia (Main story and flashback)
- North America
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- Heaven (Invoked)
Items:
- Iron Man Armor MK IV
- Unicorn's Power Horn
- Mandarin's Rings
- Yin Headband of Power
Synopsis for "Mandarin and the Unicorn: Double-Death!"
Iron Man #58
The Unicorn and Mandarin attack Iron Man, damaging his chestplate and forcing him to flee. At his office, Iron Man collapses in front of Pepper and she struggles to recharge the armor. Elsewhere, Marianne raves to Dr. Guy Lillian about how her life has been plagued by demons since Tony abandoned her. Back in New York, Pepper is unable to restart the armor, but Iron Man revives anyway. Retreating to Stark's office, Iron Man realizes that the pacemaker is inoperable, which can only mean that his heart has healed. Outside the plant, Nick incites the protesters to riot against Stark and they raid the building. Tony confronts the mob and tells them that their leader Gene Kahn is the Mandarin, but they doubt him. Iron Man heads to Gene Kahn's office and resumes his battle with the Unicorn and Mandarin. In the course of their battle, the two villains each fire at Iron Man and miss, striking each other instead, causing their minds to switch bodies. The Mandarin (in Unicorn) escapes with the Unicorn (in Mandarin). When Iron Man returns to Stark Industries he discovers that the protesters are returning to work, realizing they were duped.
Appearing in "A Madness in Motown!"
Iron Man #59
Featured Characters:
- Iron Man (Tony Stark) (Main story and flashback)
Supporting Characters:
- Marianne Rodgers (Only in flashback)
- Stark Industries (Main story and flashback)
- Happy Hogan
- Roxanne Gilbert (Main story and flashback) (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Firebrand (Gary Gilbert) (Main story and flashback)
Other Characters:
- Mandarin (Referenced)
- Unicorn (Referenced)
- Milford Sanitarium Doctor (Unnamed)
- Simon Gilbert (Only in flashback)
- DPD
- Taxi Driver (Unnamed)
- Zeus (Referenced)
- Lord (Referenced)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earthspace (Main story and flashback)
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- United States Of America (Main story and flashback)
- New York
- Connecticut
- Michigan (Main story and flashback)
- Detroit
- Bay City (Only in flashback)
- Stark Industries Munitions Plant (Only in flashback)
- United States Of America (Main story and flashback)
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- Heaven (Invoked)
Items:
- Iron Man Armor MK IV (Main story and flashback)
- Firebrand Battlesuit (Main story and flashback)
Synopsis for "A Madness in Motown!"
Iron Man #59
Tony receives a call from Milford Sanitarium, informing him of Marianne's mental status. Tony is dejected and blames himself. Happy visits Pepper at the office and they argue over her going to work for Tony again, but Pepper is determined. Tony and Pepper go to Detroit on business, but when they visit Roxanne Gilbert about the stocks she inherited from her father, Firebrand attacks their taxicab. Firebrand takes the cab driver and Pepper hostage and instructs Tony to bring Iron Man to Simon Gilbert's grave. Iron Man arrives for the fight, but during the clash Roxanne tries to stop her brother and steps in front of his blasts. Firebrand is startled and Iron Man knocks him down then quickly takes Roxanne away to a hospital.
Appearing in "Out of Hell -- A Hero!"
Hero for Hire #1
Featured Characters:
- Lucas "Luke" Cage (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Dr. Noah Burstein (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Rivals (First appearance)
- Diamondback (Willis Stryker) (First appearance)
- Shades (First appearance)
- Commache (First appearance)
- Tank (First appearance)
- The Diablos (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Quirt (First appearance)
- Rackham (First appearance)
- Warden Stuart (First appearance)
- Reva Connors (First appearance; dies)
- Frankenstein (Mentioned)
- Stark Industries (Mentioned)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- New York
- Georgia
- Seagate Prison (First appearance)
- United States of America
- North America
Items:
Synopsis for "Out of Hell -- A Hero!"
Hero for Hire #1
At Seagate Prison, Lucas is a prisoner who has been abused by those who warden over him. However, when he explains to prison physician Noah Burstein that while he wasn't the most law-abiding citizen, he was framed for cocaine possession by his friend Willis Stryker, who then moved in on their criminal racket, and his girl, which eventually led to Reva's death. Burstein offers Lucas an early chance at parole if he helps with a scientific experiment.
However, when racist prison guard Billy Bob Rackham tampers with the machine, an unexpected effect: Lucas is granted enhanced strength and bulletproof skin. Once realizing this, Lucas uses his powers to escape Seagate, leaving the staff there to assume that he died trying to flee in the water.
Lucas eventually finds his way to New York City, where he decides to put his powers to use, earning himself some income as a "Hero for Hire". Buying a costume and taking on the name Luke Cage, Lucas begins his career as "Hero for Hire." Luke's activities make him popular among the people of Harlem, but also bring the attention of the local syndicate's leader: Diamondback, a costumed criminal with trick switchblades, who as it turns out, is Luke's old friend Stryker.