—The MandarinIn this one I sense the presence of my oldest enemy.
Appearing in "Dragon Seed (Part I)"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Mandarin
- Dragon Lords of Kakarantharnia (First appearance)
- Chen Hsu (The Captain)
- First Mate
- Fin Fang Foom
Other Characters:
- Su Yin
- Comrade Chin
- Din-Din the dog
- Black Widow
- United Nations
- Deputy Soviet ambassador
- Chinese premier
Races:
Realities:
Locations:
Items:
- Mandarin's Rings
- Iron Man Armor MK VIII
- Iron Man Armor MK VII (Cameo)
- Iron Man Armor Prototypes and Experimental Models
- Stark Satellite/Orbital Facility
- Encephalo Link
Vehicles:
- Makluan Starship (flashback)
- Stark Booster Rocket
Synopsis for "Dragon Seed (Part I)"
Chen Hsu telepathically speaks to Fin Fang Foom, identifying himself as Foom's captain, and stopping him from killing Iron Man. In Beijing Dr. Su Yin tests Stark again; as they go over the results Stark asks her out on a date. She agrees, but only because her superiors have ordered her to do whatever it takes to keep Stark in China until the Mandarin has been dealt with. Leaving Tony, she returns home to her husband. Black Widow meets with the deputy Soviet ambassador to the United Nations who tells her that once "Oktober" had been activated, there's no way to stop it. She refuses to believe World War III is unavoidable and storms out. Stark returns to his hotel to find the Chinese Premier and President waiting, and the Premier angrily shows him aerial photos depicting Iron Man's defeat. Thinking quickly, Stark says he'll get one of his other Iron Men on it. The Premier covers his shock at this revelation of other Iron Men and demands Tony send for one. Insisting on privacy, Tony uses a miniature encepalo-link to remotely call a spare suit of armor to attack Fin Fang Foom.
Notes
- This story is Part One of the Dragon Seed saga which will conclude in Iron Man #275.
- This story is reprinted in the trade paperback The Dragon Seed Saga.