Issue(s): Iron Man #146, Iron Man #147
Published Date: May-Jun 81
Title: "Blacklash ...and the burning!" / "Holocaust at high noon!"
Credits:
David Michelinie & Bob Layton - Plot
David Michelinie - Script
John Romita, Jr. - Penciler
Bob Layton - Inker

Review/plot:
Whiplash must think he has a branding problem, because he tries to get people to call him Backlash Blacklash (Whoops. Why Blacklash? His costume is blue and purple (ok, i guess the middle section is actually black and not just covered in shadow).

When i thought it was Backlash, i figured that made sense, although i don't know why he'd change it from Whiplash. Blacklash, i don't even really understand) during this arc, and he has a new costume as well. Apparently. Without going back and comparing, the costume looks just about the same to me with a different color scheme. The nun-chucks, on the other hand, are definitely new.

Beyond that, I don't know why he feels the need to re-name himself. This is a guy that goes up against one of the Marvel Universe's most powerful, heavily armored super-heroes with nothing more than a tricked-out whip...

...and generally has a good showing. This arc, he pretty much destroys Stark Enterprises main compound. That's not bad!

I suppose we can look to Blacklash's home life for reasons for his lack of self-confidence.

Yvette Avril, from Stark's French office, is made vice president of SE.

Bethany Cabe is heading out for Germany as a result of her visit to the West German Embassy last issue, and she's not telling Tony about it.

Michelinie and Layton do a great job using the staff of Stark Enterprises to deliver layered plots and good character moments.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• Stark tires to have some photographs made that prove that Roxxon was behind the 'anthrax' deaths shown in Iron Man #142-144, but they don't come out very well.
  
• Bethany visited the German embassy in Iron Man #143.
  
• Whiplash was actually after Vic Martinelli because of some trouble he's had with organized crime in the past. He briefly worked at Williams Innovation before it was taken over by the Maggia in Marvel Premiere #55.

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: N/A