When using the Enervation Intensifier device in order to heal Happy Hogan of wounds inflicted upon him by the Titanium Man, Iron Man accidentally transformed his friend and body guard into a horrible creature dubbed "The Freak" which goes on a rampage.

Iron Man has tracked the creature to a nearby power station where the savage monster attacks the Golden Avenger, and manages to best him. Escaping to Stark Industries, the Freak stumbles upon Senator Byrd pressuring Pepper Potts to get Tony Stark to appear before a Congressional hearing to reveal the secrets of the Iron Man armor for the sake of national security. The Freak easily knocks out the Senator and Pepper faints out of fright. The Freak then grabs the woman and tries to escape, but is forced to leave empty handed when security and Iron Man arrive to try and stop him.

Iron Man then chases after the Freak and tricks him into walking into a maximum power burst of the Enervation Intensifier, however before Iron Man can escape the Freak grabs hold of him exposing Iron Man's armor to the rays as well causing his armor to super heat and threatens to kill Tony Stark inside.