- "It seems like a thousand years ago. I fought my way out of that cave... became Iron Man."
- ―Tony Stark[src]
The Kidnapping of Tony Stark was the abduction of Tony Stark carried out by the Ten Rings through orders by Obadiah Stane, who intended to kill Stark after he had tested the Jericho missile in Afghanistan. The Ten Rings forced Stark and Ho Yinsen to build a new missile for them, only for the two to build a armored suit instead, which allowed Stark to escape. This event was the catalyst which prompted Stark to abruptly cease operations in the weapons division of Stark Industries, and set him on a path to become Iron Man.
Background
- "You did not tell us that the target you paid us to kill was the great Tony Stark. As you can see, Obadiah Stane, your deception and lies will cost you dearly. The price to kill Tony Stark has just gone up."
- ―Ten Rings to Obadiah Stane[src]
Tony Stark demonstrates the Jericho Missile
Obadiah Stane had been selling Stark Industries weapons to the Ten Rings under the table for some time. Wanting to take over Stark Industries, Stane hired the Ten Rings to kill Tony Stark. Stark had been testing his Jericho missile for the United States Air Force in Afghanistan. After a successful test, he traveled back to Bagram Air Base in a Humvee convoy. [2]
Kidnapping
Attack
- "I'm sure they're looking for you, Stark. But they will never find you in these mountains."
- ―Ho Yinsen to Tony Stark[src]
During the trip, the Humvee in front of them was destroyed by the Ten Rings. The soldiers that were guarding Tony Stark, Jimmy, Pratt, and Ramirez, were killed as they exited the Humvee. Stark attempted to flee but was nearly killed by a missile that his company manufactured. The missile threw several pieces of shrapnel into Stark's chest, only centimeters away from his heart. The terrorists grabbed Stark and fled the area.[2] James Rhodes' Humvee arrived at the area five minutes later, but by that time, Stark was already gone.[3]
Imprisonment
Tony Stark and Ho Yinsen working on the armor
- "He says they have everything you need to build a Jericho missile. He wants you to make the list of materials. He says for you to start working immediately, and when you're done, he will set you free."
"No, he won't."
"No, he won't." - ―Ho Yinsen and Tony Stark[src]
Tony Stark was hooked up to an electromagnet powered by a car battery, which kept the shrapnel from reaching his heart. He was put into a cell with Ho Yinsen, who had also been captured by the Ten Rings. They were instructed to make a Jericho missile for the Ten Rings. Instead of making a missile, Stark and Yinsen secretly worked on an armor that would help them escape. They also made a miniature Arc Reactor so Stark could move without carrying around the car battery. Working on the armor for three months, Stark and Yinsen formed a strong bond between one another. When they finally finished the armor, the two prepared to escape.[2]
Escape
- "Wow, that doesn't look like a Jericho missile."
"That's because it is a miniaturized Arc Reactor. We got a big one powering my factory at home. It should keep the shrapnel out of my heart."
"But what could it generate?"
"If my math is right, and it always is... three gigajoules per second."
"That could run your heart for 50 lifetimes!"
"Yeah. Or something big for 15 minutes. This is our ticket out of here." - ―Ho Yinsen and Tony Stark[src]
Iron Man douses the terrorists in a jet of flame
Ho Yinsen tried to distract the terrorists so Tony Stark could charge the Arc Reactor came across a large group of the terrorists. Stark's suit reached full power and headed out of the Ten Rings Base. Killing several of the terrorists, he came upon Yinsen, who had severe injuries sustained from the large group of terrorists, who told him not to waste his life before dying. After exiting the cave and destroying all of their stolen weapons, Stark flew out of the area, but the suit's flight capabilities malfunctioned, causing him to fall.[2]
Aftermath
Iron Man in the second armor
- "I had my eyes opened. I came to realize that I had more to offer this world than just making things that blow up. And that is why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries."
- ―Tony Stark[src]
After crashing, Tony Stark wandered around in the desert of Afghanistan trying to find civilization. Eventually, he was found by soldiers of the United States Air Force, including James Rhodes. When Stark returned to United States of America, he announced that he shutting down the weapon manufacturing of the Stark Industries.[2]
