Ivan's father, Anton Vanko, had once been Howard Stark's partner. Together, they had developed the Ark Reactor—an epoch-making energy device.
However, because Anton had tried to commercialize the technology, violating the principles Howard upheld, he was ultimately reported and expelled from the country, exiled to freezing Siberia.
That history became an everlasting pain in Ivan's heart.
Having grown up amid poverty and hardship, Ivan deeply empathized with his father's suffering and directed all his resentment toward Howard Stark's son—Tony Stark.
In his eyes, the Stark family's glory had been built upon his family's pain. It was Howard's ruthlessness and greed that had led to his family's decline.
To avenge his father and prove his own worth, Ivan decided to act personally and create a weapon capable of fighting Iron Man.
Using the Ark Reactor technical data he had obtained from his father's belongings, Ivan began his plan for revenge.
He first developed a whip capable of unleashing high-intensity electric currents. Not only could it restrain enemies, but it could also inflict tremendous damage at close range.
Afterward, he set about building a low-end version of an Iron Man suit. Though its performance could not compare to genuine Power Armor, it was enough for Ivan.
He longed to use this confrontation to show the whole world his family's wisdom and strength. More importantly, he wanted Tony Stark to pay the price for his father.
Just as Ivan was intensely preparing for his final showdown with Iron Man, an unexpected event completely disrupted his plans.
It was a stormy night. Siberia's frigid wind cut to the bone like knives, and Ivan was bent over the final calibration stage of his suit.
Suddenly, a deafening boom rang out, as though something had fallen from the sky and smashed straight through the warehouse roof,