After returning to America, Iron Man has some down time, which he spends training and testing out his new buzz-saw weapon. While this is going on, the Black Lama continues to recruit soldiers for his super villain war, starting with M.O.D.O.K. and the Mad Thinker, who are to battle each other. When the Mad Thinker escapes from prison, Firebrand escapes with him, and tells the Mad Thinker about his vendetta against Iron Man. The Mad Thinker is then inspired to use Iron Man against M.O.D.O.K., thereby avoiding the physical confrontation he couldn't possibly win. He gains control of Iron Man's armor, and sends him against M.O.D.O.K. Iron Man is informed that the Mad Thinker will allow him to fight on his own for maximum efficiency, and Iron Man plays along to some degree. Although he has no intentions of killing M.O.D.O.K. as the Mad Thinker ordered, he does recognize the need to get him captured and behind bars, so he works to that end, with every intention of coming for the Mad Thinker next. The battle drifts far enough from its original location to worry the Mad Thinker, who retakes control of the Iron Man armour. M.O.D.O.K. traces the control signal, and uses it to chase down the Mad Thinker in his hideout. The issue ends with M.O.D.O.K. crashing through the Mad Thinker's wall, with a helpless Iron Man in his hand.