Recaps

Mark rescued Tony from Afghanistan, then helped him survive Obadiah's betrayal and his palladium poisoning. As Tony joined the Avengers, Banner reunited with Betty, but General Ross's attempt to capture him triggered another Hulk rampage.

• Mark rescued Tony and Yinsen from the Ten Rings, and Tony returned to the United States determined to end Stark Industries' weapons business.
• Tony exposed Obadiah's crimes, defeated him with Mark's help, and announced that he was Iron Man.
• Tony gave Mark an eighteen-percent stake in Stark Industries, while government officials tried to force Tony to surrender his armor.
• Mark gave Tony the design for a new element to replace palladium, and Tony signed a trust agreement naming Mark as trustee if he became incapacitated.
• Ivan Vanko attacked Tony at the Monaco race, but Tony defeated him, while Justin Hammer later arranged Ivan's escape.
• Mark stopped the National Guard from seizing Tony's armor, and Tony agreed to join the Avengers as a provisional member.
• Banner visited Betty at Culver University after Mark warned him it could be a trap, and Betty chose Banner over Leonard.
• Ross's soldiers surrounded Banner at Culver University, where Banner transformed into Hulk and fought them until Betty calmed him.