Marvel is bringing back Whiplash, a villain dating to Iron Man's 1968 debut, in its ongoing Iron Man 2026 comic series. The character has evolved considerably over decades, originally appearing as Marco Scarlotti, a disgruntled engineer at Stark Industries who turned to organised crime. The more recognisable contemporary version, Anton Vanko, emerged from the MCU's Iron Man 2 film, portrayed by Mickey Rourke as a character seeking revenge against Tony Stark over his father's death.

In the latest storyline, Anton Vanko returns equipped with cybernetic whips after being recruited by the scientific terrorist organisation A.I.M. The character is depicted mounting an assault on the Vault, a fortified prison facility, systematically incapacitating guards as he executes what appears to be a coordinated breakout operation. The narrative emphasises Anton's drive for vengeance against Stark, framing his actions as connected to long-standing family grievances and a personal hatred rooted in historical conflict.