Warning: contains spoilers for Aero #10!
Iron Man may have just unknowingly put Aero's reputation on the line as the resident hero of Shanghai. Aero #10 features Tony Stark and Lei Ling meeting briefly before they each set off to fight Madame Huang's mysterious tower monsters. While Aero has handled attacks from Madame Huang's monsters on her own just fine in previous issues, Stark's arrival in Shanghai seems to have completely thrown off her ability to control the wind.
Aero's sudden loss of her powers places her stellar reputation in Shanghai at major risk. While she is already a beloved figure for the twenty-six million people who live in the city, the opportunity to fight alongside someone like Iron Man could only boost her emerging status as Shanghai's protector. But in losing her powers, Aero could lose the faith of the people she has sworn to protect, especially if a major hero comes to their rescue instead.
After Iron Man takes off from the roof, Lei Ling goes to follow him, excited at the thought of fighting alongside an Avenger. But she is barely able to get anywhere near the attack before suddenly losing her powers of flight, plummeting towards the ground in the final . It seems like with Iron Man may be the cause - especially with the variety of advanced technology Tony always has on his person - but this type of threat also fits in perfectly with Madame Huang's knowledge of Aero's weaknesses. As the only person that knows of Lei Ling's powers and secret identity, Madame Huang undoubtedly has the upper hand in this scenario. A spontaneous loss of Aero's powers, plus a visit from an esteemed Avenger like Iron Man to save the day, would be a perfect way to sabotage Lei Ling's life as both a hero and a citizen. Madame Huang even posed a similar situation in Aero #7, saying, "The citizens know their Aero will save them every time. If you ignore this threat, what will happen? ... People will no longer trust you. Your reputation will be ruined, and everyone will know your secret. That you're just a scared little girl."
As for Stark, while he's in Shanghai on business, it seems he also hoped to meet Aero, hinting at a Iron Man's presence in Shanghai hints at a possible future collaboration with Aero, but can the two heroes still work together if one is accidentally depowering the other?
Aero #10 (written by Zhou Liefen, art by Keng, adapted by Amy Chu) is available now!
