After Professor Vanko's defection to America, the Soviet leader decides to send the Black Widow and Boris to the United States to eliminate Tony Stark, Iron Man and the traitor. Passing for a Ukrainian scientist, Boris is allowed to take a tour of Stark Industries where he tries to convince Vanko to help sabotage the plant. The professor refuses so he takes him prisoner. Then he goes back to the plant and puts on the Crimson Dynamo's armor to start sabotaging Stark's equipment. Iron Man arrives, and taking advantage that he does not recognize him, he takes him by surprise, knocks him out and takes him prisoner to their secret sub. But Iron Man and Vanko come back shortly after and the two armored men engage in battle. While the gladiators are fighting, Vanko tries to destroy the Crimson Dynamo but both he and Boris are killed in the attempt.