: Vanko attacks Tony during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Though Tony defeats him using a portable briefcase suit, Vanko succeeds in showing the world that Iron Man is vulnerable.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury soon reveals that Tony's new assistant, "Natalie Rushman," is actually undercover agent Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow). Fury provides Tony with Howard Stark's old research, leading Tony to discover a hidden diagram within an old Stark Expo model. Using this, Tony synthesizes a new, non-toxic element that saves his life and powers his latest armor. The Battle at Stark Expo Iron Man II
: Tony's business rival, Justin Hammer , fakes Vanko's death to break him out of prison, hoping Vanko will build a superior line of armored suits to upstage Stark Industries. Personal Crisis and S.H.I.E.L.D. Intervention : Vanko attacks Tony during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix
: In Russia, Ivan Vanko (Whiplash) builds his own arc reactor-powered electrified whips to avenge his father, Anton Vanko, who was once Howard Stark's partner before being deported for espionage. Director Nick Fury soon reveals that Tony's new
Six months after revealing his secret identity to the world, billionaire Tony Stark faces mounting pressure from the U.S. government to surrender his Iron Man technology for military use. While maintaining a confident public persona, Tony is privately dying; the palladium core in his chest's arc reactor is slowly poisoning his blood, and he cannot find a safe replacement. Rising Conflict and New Enemies
: Vanko dies after self-destructing his suit, and Justin Hammer is arrested. Tony and Rhodey are awarded medals for their heroism, and Fury informs Tony that while he is unsuitable for the "Avengers Initiative," S.H.I.E.L.D. wants to hire him as a consultant.