Not sure how much everyone out there knows about Ironman 2, but it has been confirmed that Tony Stark’s nemesis in the sequel will be none other than Whiplash. Whiplash is one of Ironman’s original foes and keeping with the theme of this weekly post, here is some info you might find interesting concerning Mickey Rourke’s latest character. So here’s Whiplash in the latest edition of Get To Know Your Superhero:
Whiplash first appeared in Marvel comics in 1968 and was created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan.
His real name is Mark Scarlotti.
Scarlotti, like Tony Stark, is a genius level weapon developer.
Scarlotti worked for the crime organization named Maggia.
While working for Maggia, Scarlotti took an assignment to go undercover and work for Stark Industries to steal intelligence and eventually take down Tony Stark.
During his time as a weapons developer, Scarlotti developed duo cybernetically controlled titanium whips that he uses to deflect bullets, smash his opponents and vault his body over obstacles.
Once the whips were developed, Scarlotti became Whiplash and attacked Tony Stark.
Whiplash is defeated at the hands of Ironman and his body is returned to Maggia.
Whiplash, embarrassed, is kicked out of Maggia and changes his name to Backlash.
Backlash blames Tony Stark and Ironman for his demise and vowed revenge.
After a short time of trying to live a normal life, Scarlotti is contacted by Maggia again with a job to assassinate another scientist.
Backlash agrees, but is stopped by Rhodey and Spiderman and thrown in prison.
When he is released, Scarlotti is contacted by crime lord Justin Hammer to become a freelance thug.
Backlash is also contacted by The Architect to compete against other villains for a large cash prize. Craving a normal life, Scarlotti agrees to go to NYC.
Backlash is then defeated by Bullet and brought to the hospital where he calls his wife to come clean.
Scarlotti’s wife agrees to go to NYC and bring his costume – but she is brutally murdered by an assassin named Shatter-Head.
Backlash eventually find Shatter-Head and snaps his neck.
Around this time Ironman (Tony Stark) returned from another dimension and Backlash changed his name back to Whiplash.
Whiplash goes on a hunt for Tony Stark when he is met by the Ironman costume (at this point the costume can control itself letting Stark and Ironman coexist).
The Ironman costume beats Whiplash to death and drops his body into a river.
So there you have it. Whiplash is a very torn character who basically represents the opposite of Tony Stark. He is resentful, not heroic and can be bought. Now that you have some back story on Whiplash, you can go into the theater next Summer and impress your friends with your knowledge of Tony Stark’s latest villain.
