Titanium Man

Titanium Man, born Boris Bullski, is a Soviet commissar and villain who created a large titanium combat suit intended to best the American hero Iron Man and achieve a massive propaganda victory for the Soviet Union.

Bullski was highly ambitious, and in 1965 looked to prove himself within the Soviet power structure by defeating Iron Man, victor over many prior Soviet agents. Bullski enlisted a number of imprisoned scientists to make a suit made of titanium that would allow him to defeat Iron Man, promising them release if they complied. This promise was a lie of course, as he simply had them transferred to another prison once they were done—one without a laboratory to ensure they didn't make another, similar weapon for anyone else. The scientists were skilled, but in no way comparable to Tony Stark, and so couldn't make a suit as small and streamlined as his. Instead, the new Titanium Man suit was large and imposing, like Bullski himself. Bullski sent a letter to Tony Stark, along with a copy to the major American newspapers, challenging him to a battle. Iron Man soon accepted, and the fight was arranged for the neutral European country of Alberia. The battle was to be broadcast on worldwide television, with a large live audience besides. Iron Man and Titanium Man met in the middle of an old World War II battlefield, backed up by officers from the U.S. and U.S.S.R., respectively. The two began to fight for their rapt audience, and Iron Man was quickly taken off guard when he walked into a minefield that Titanium Man had had installed.

One of his boots was damaged in the explosion, hindering his agility advantage. Though he held his own, Iron Man was quickly losing ground to Titanium Man. The first 15-minute round ended, and after a 10-minute rest period, the two resumed fighting. Titanium Man used a number of unfair tricks and traps to keep Iron Man off his guard. Happy Hogan, a friend of Iron Man, arrived on the battlefield to deliver a small transistor, but he was caught by a molecule-scrambler ray blast from Titanium Man, knocking him unconscious. Iron Man retrieved the device, thinking Happy was dead. The transistor and his renewed sense of purpose gave Iron Man a huge edge in the fight. He trounced Titanium Man convincingly, resulting in Bullski's surrender. Iron Man pulled off his opponent's helmet, allowing the worldwide audience to see his face, and causing him a great humiliation. Bullski returned behind the Iron Curtain amid a great deal of shame.