Japanese robotics expert Yoshida Asano plans VENGEANCE on Tony Stark (who doesn't, really?) because Stark's pop was involved in the United States' development of the first atomic bombs (the Manhattan Project). Asano's parents died as a result of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan that ended World War II, and Yoshida himself is quite deformed as a result of radiation mutations. He sets a "trap" for Tony Stark by placing the low bid on SE-needed robotics components, and as Tony and Jim Rhodes jet over to Japan to seal the deal, Asano will strike -- as his alter-ego Samurai Steel!!

A standard battle follows between Shellhead and Steel with predictable final results. Asano sacrifices himself by flying a damaged nuclear reactor core into space where it can explode safely. (Asano damaged the core himself while trying to "off" Iron Man.) One of the lamer IM bad-guys and why not -- he was a hastily put-together baddie for a filler issue.

First IM Appearance: Iron Man #257.