: In Russia, Ivan Vanko (Whiplash) builds his own arc reactor-powered electrified whips to avenge his father, Anton Vanko, who was once Howard Stark's partner before being deported for espionage.
: Tony's business rival, Justin Hammer , fakes Vanko's death to break him out of prison, hoping Vanko will build a superior line of armored suits to upstage Stark Industries. Personal Crisis and S.H.I.E.L.D. Intervention Iron Man II
: Vanko attacks Tony during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Though Tony defeats him using a portable briefcase suit, Vanko succeeds in showing the world that Iron Man is vulnerable. : In Russia, Ivan Vanko (Whiplash) builds his
Believing he is near death, Tony becomes increasingly reckless, eventually getting drunk in his armor during his birthday party. His best friend, James "Rhodey" Rhodes , intervenes by donning a prototype Mark II armor. The two fight, and Rhodey ultimately confiscates the suit for the U.S. Air Force. Intervention : Vanko attacks Tony during the Monaco
The film concludes at the Stark Expo, where Hammer unveils a fleet of military drones and a heavily weaponized Mark II suit (now War Machine) piloted by Rhodes . Vanko hacks the drones and Rhodes' suit to attack Tony, but Natasha Romanoff manages to break into Hammer Industries and restore control to Rhodes .