The last time an Academy Award-nominated actor followed up their nomination for an Oscar with the role of a comic book villain, we got Halle Berry in Catwoman. Thankfully, I don’t think we have that problem with Mickey Rourke as he takes on the role of Whiplash for next summer’s Iron Man 2.

Director Jon Favreau tells USA Today, who also premiered the first picture of Rourke in costume at right, that Whiplash, aka Ivan Vanko, has built his own power suit similar to Iron Man’s, though his comes with a pair of powered whips. Favreau states, “The technologies are definitely related, and that’s part of the core theme of the film.” As to whether Vanko works for Tony Stark’s business rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), Favreau remained tightlipped.

There are few additional story details except for that the fact that the picture is from a scene where Whiplash shows up at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. With Iron Man’s suit of armor being true to the comics, will we see Rourke don the leather domination gear of the four-color version of the character? Probably not, but I don’t think that fans will complain over that. Favreau has won himself a lot of cred with fans with the first film and I doubt he’ll blow it with the follow up.

Iron Man 2 hits theaters next summer.