Issue(s): Iron Man #146, Iron Man #147
Cover 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...

...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.

(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.)

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 Industries' 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 Industries to deliver layered plots and good character moments.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• Stark tries 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 as shown in Marvel Premiere #55.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

It's kinda cute that there are super-villain "molls" like Marlene here. Makes sense in the MU. And we learn that the Melter was a better date than Blacklash.

The new costume is definitely an upgrade for Blacklash. Not sure why the name change was done - but he certainly looks a lot better.

I agree that any villain willing to go up against Iron Man with a "whip" and more than holding his own, is sign of a good character. Unfortunately, outside the hands of Michelenie/Layton, writers did not treat him well.

Blacklash's accidental killing of Vic Martinelli's cute little dog provoked some angry responses on the letters page a few issues later.