Just EPIC and totally underappreciated series...

There are some amazing two page splashes of the robo dragon that look stunning.

The highlights of this ish however is the conversations between the Mandarin and Tony. Plus all of this insanity and the creation of the monster turns out to all be a test he Madarin made for Tony Stark. For what ends we don;t really know but can only guess at.

Anyway Tony is tied up and the Mandarin and him have a heart-to-heart, mono e mono, and these moments produce beautiful dark dialogue between them. You see the ish references how Iron Man defeated Mandarin in Iron Man Vol. 1 #312, and the Mandarin (Mandy for short) reincarnated as a janitor who worked in Stark Towers. This new life from this perspectvie gave Mandy a new evil plan. No longer did he want to destroy all the worlds technology to bring us back to feudalism and make China the world conquerors.

Dont take my word for it here is Mandy and Tony:

Mandy says, "My mind clouded -- my true memories only surfacing in dreams -- I endured unspeakable humiliation for one such as I. But I must thank you -- and the heart -- for such a valuable lesson." Tony confused, "A lesson --?

Mandy goes on, " I'd thought to destroy technology -- to erase two thousand years of progress and restore feudalism. But I discovered -- That feudalism was not dead, merely transformed as I. Coolies, masters, magistrates, mandarins -- the manual labor of peasants generated power, which flowed ever upward -- growing greater at each level, until it rested in the hands of the truly deserving -- the noble classes. And nothing was changed -- My coolie labor enriched those above me, and above them -- until it reached yu. Anthony Stark. Feudal Lord of a modern age." TOny disgusted, "Not lord..."

Mandy continues, "How foolish to reject what I should have sought to understand. And more foolish still, to rage at the idea of Iron Man, a vassal, as my greatest foe -- rther than see beyond him, to my true enemy."

Tony also finds out here that the Mandarin wasn't behind everything, just the death squad in the beginning, so there still remains many unanswered questions as to who else is after Ton. We are then shown something about Madame Masque in her secret HQ getting murdered by an unknown killer. Not sure I remember what that has to do wit anything.

While this is going on the Guardians and the Avengers are trying every trick in the book to take out the giant Dragon ship with no success.

The epic conversation continues:

Mandy "But ahh -- then my dreaming ind awakened -- and I returned to myself! It is a thrill few people in the world can share, I know -- But surely Anthony, you are among them! To know you are superior --- in mind, in body, in spirit. EVERYTHING! To know that power is your birthright -- to know that untold thousands exist on thisworld for no reason but to serve you-- To channel their power through your empire, be it of land or of business -- channeling it upward to fuel you, to fuel your glory!"

Iron Man repulsed goes back at Mandy with "It doesn't -- power doesn't work that way Mandy. Or it shouldn't... The people who worked for me -- wrked at Stark Enterpises -- Werent slaves! They didn;t work because they were property -- They worked there by choice, to better their lives, provide for their families! Employees not vassals -- Give their employers their best because they hope and trust that employers will do the same. And they'll be rewarded in kind, paidfairly for their efforts. Too often employees are disappointed -- Disappointed by people like you, who see loyalty as a one way street -- who think they have a right to power. Instead of earning it by winning their employees loyalty fairly!

Mandy saddened by this explanation, "You disappoint me, Anthony -- mouthing such populist cant, as if you've been brainwashed by the world's ignorant rabble. BUT by all means, go on -- And convince me if you can -- How there can possibly be any sort of parity between those who sweat and toil in the fields -- and men such as ourselves..."

We never really here a verbal counter argument by Tony because as they were conversing he was figuring out ow to slowly regain control of his suit and break free from Mandy's hold. Iron Man flies around to find the very core of the roo beast and with all the taunting and talk of Mandy Tony stayed focus and aimed at the core. Mandy was overjoyed that Tony ignored the all the emotional obstacles and mental games andproved to Mandy that Tony is the one and only TRUE ENEMY.

As the beast is falling apart Iron Man attempts to save Mandy but Mandy throws himself itno the fire.

This was epic beyond words, as good as any movie you can watch...Great end to this little arc! more