The Mandarin returns and he is demanding Tony help him get the eighth ring. When Tony initially refuses, the Mandarin uses a new power to get what he wants.
In one of many attempts to recreate the supersoldier serum that made Captain America, SHIELD created a serum called Extremis. A recently fired agent Mallen takes the serum and it gives him some very different biology.
Someone is leaving behind a trail of odd energy signatures in the city. They seem to be some sort of magnetic residue. Iron Man investigates and Tony meets the new girl in school.
Doctor Doom captures the Mandrian and Howard Stark after finding and getting the 9th ring. The Mandrian escapes and goes to Iron Man for help. Peper and Rodey battle alien forces.
A blackmailer threatens Justin Hammer, forcing the already unstable industrialist into insanity and the development of a chemical to turn people into zombies.
When an alien invasion starts, old rivalries and battles must be forgotten in the face of this new threat. All of Tony's allies will have to come together to save the world.
As the Makluan invasion intensifies, Gene Khan, Howard Stark, and an impromptu team of heroes may be the last thing standing between the world and annihilation.