Who is Iron Man’s archenemy now

[Michael Watkins]

They weren't trying to make the new characters the Mandarin (I think a few of them even tried being superheroes). It was just a story about Tony having to deal with villainous technology in the wrong hands.

yeah, well it failed miserably. most of the run was misstep (imo).

[Michael Watkins]

i wonder if they could get away with bringing Obadiah Stane back. he was a legitimate threat to Tony while also being of his world (the world of munitions making). just imagine if they revealed that Amanda Armstrong and Tony being adopted was all a ruse orchestrated by Obadiah to throw him off his game. and it'd be a double mind**** because he'd also have let his own son believe him to be dead this entire time; simply to mold Zeke into a villain.

[MichaelC]

i wonder if they could get away with bringing Obadiah Stane back. he was a legitimate threat to Tony while also being of his world (the world of munitions making). just imagine if they revealed that Amanda Armstrong and Tony being adopted was all a ruse orchestrated by Obadiah to throw him off his game. and it'd be a double mind**** because he'd also have let his own son believe him to be dead this entire time; simply to mold Zeke into a villain.

I hope not. He was more of a plot-device than a character. I would greatly prefer he stay dead.

[tunerfreak87]

I know the Mandarin hasn't gotten the best treatment, but I enjoyed him during Matt Fractions run of Invincible Iron Man...I don't think anyone here mentioned it. It would be great to bring out a Mandarin like Fraction wrote, but rope in Riri and bring back a little Ironverse crossover event. I'd really like to see some great mysterious and cunning Mandarin writing.

[Tony Stark]

For people who don’t think The Mandarin is Tony’s arch nemesis should check out Iron Man: Enter The Mandarin by Joe Casey and Eric Canete. It really establishes why they are each other’s arch rivals.

[MichaelC]

For people who don’t think The Mandarin is Tony’s arch nemesis should check out Iron Man: Enter The Mandarin by Joe Casey and Eric Canete. It really establishes why they are each other’s arch rivals.

I actually don't think that story established that well at all. It was mostly an action story, and the dialogue was rather vague. I'd say Busiek established the core conflict way, waaayyyy better in issue #10 of his run.

[Tony Stark]

I actually don't think that story established that well at all. It was mostly an action story, and the dialogue was rather vague. I'd say Busiek established the core conflict way, waaayyyy better in issue #10 of his run.

I like Busieks issue as it was well done, but I disagree with you on Enter The Mandarin. I thought it was a great fleshing out of their first encounter and set it up for everyone that came after.

[MichaelC]

Eh, I don't think anything in that mini was remotely as defining and epic and disturbing as the speech Busiek gave The Mandarin: "To know that you are superior-- in mind, in body, in spirit. Everything! To know that power is your birthright-- to know what untold thousands exist on this world for no reason but to serve you-- to channel their powers through your empire, be it of land or of business-- channeling it upward to fuel you, to fuel your glory!"

[Tony Stark]

Eh, I don't think anything in that mini was remotely as defining and epic and disturbing as the speech Busiek gave The Mandarin: "To know that you are superior-- in mind, in body, in spirit. Everything! To know that power is your birthright-- to know what untold thousands exist on this world for no reason but to serve you-- to channel their powers through your empire, be it of land or of business-- channeling it upward to fuel you, to fuel your glory!"

That’s a great monologue, but I still would go with Enter The Mandarin for people who want to see why they are each other’s rivals.