Yellow Claw has been alive for many years, his exact date of birth unknown. His past is shrouded in mystery, including his rise to power, creation of his criminal empire, and his reason for his attempts to destroy America and control the world. His first known appearances after WWII reveal the time when his grandneice, Suwan, fell in love with the Claw's arch-enemy, FBI agent Jimmy Woo. Suwan and Woo (possibly with help from other 1950's heroes) defeated Claw's schemes and he fled his base in America to return to China, but not before placing Suwan in suspended animation as punishment.

In relative recent years, Claw was seen transferring the spirit of ancient Egyptian Princess Fanle-tamen into Suwan, fusing their personalities in an attempt to create a suitable heir to his criminal empire. Then, when clashing with SHIELD, Suwan shot the Claw in revenge for her time in suspended animation. Claw destroyed Suwan, but gave up his success against SHIELD when forced to flee.

Claw got involved with Iron Man during the "War of the Super-Villains" (started circa IM #69). After Shellhead battled the Mandarin, Mandy went to retake his castle from the Claw (IM #70). Claw seemingly killed Mandy with an explosive robot, and then battled Iron Man inside said castle. In one of IM's best "battle" issues ever, Claw sicced mutated monstronsities and mini-robots at the Golden Avenger....but IM still came out on top! Regrettably, however, Yellow Claw escaped! (But, he didn't win the "Golden Globe" from the Black Lama. Bummer.)

First IM Appearance: Iron Man #69.

(Some info and pic provided by the online Unofficial Handbook
to the Marvel Universe.)