Tony Stark had it all: a genius mind, fame, and even a multinational corporation. But, during a routine weapons test in the Middle East, power-hungry militants led a violent ambush against Tony and claimed him as their prisoner. Armed with Stark Industries weaponry, Tony’s new foes demanded he construct a new ultimate weapon for them. Tony built his own ultimate weapon, a powerful suit of armor that served as the key to his heroic escape. His near-death experience drastically altered his outlook on life, and he decided to cease production of all Stark Industries weapons, despite the protests of longtime family friend and mentor Obadiah Stane. Aided by his charming assistant, Pepper Potts, and equipped with a new suit even more advanced than the one used in his escape, Tony took it upon himself to destroy all Stark weapons in enemy hands, personally. He became more than a man. He became Iron Man™.