In Invincible Iron Man Issue 1, we meet a woman engaged in industrial espionage. At least, that's what she appears to be doing, as a man hands her a suitcase. In doing so, he's betraying his employer, A.I.M. (or Advanced Idea Mechanics), in the hopes of substantially supplementing his income. But we never see what's in the suitcase, or why the woman wants it.
As it turns out, this mysterious woman is acquiring several things. We can only assume they are technological inventions she plans to put to some important use. The second item she collects is from a business division Tony Stark owns in Osaka, Japan.
In this panel, she's just leapt out the plate glass window of a skyscraper, and is pursued by several of Tony Stark's employees. Presumably, after she shoots them, she has a way of landing.
She's not just snatching inventions from A.I.M. and Stark Enterprises. Later, she emerges from Doctor Doom's castle in Latveria. She shoots off with her rocket pack, another briefcase clutched to her chest.
Penciler Dave Marquez does some fine work, capturing the female form, the technology, the frantic action, and the intricate mask that covers her face. But the way the contents of the suitcase glow, the way her mask blends in with her skin, the flare of her burning rockets, the way the artificial day of the high-rise contrasts with the natural darkness of night in the second picture, and the way the castle and surrounding landscape fade into the distance in the early morning are all due to Justin's coloring.
I look forward to reading more issues of Invincible Iron Man, and seeing where Brian Michael Bendis takes the series. I'm also interested in learning about Whitney Frost, also known as Madame Masque. I gather she's a classic foil for Tony Stark, having appeared in stories shortly after Stan Lee created Iron Man. One thing's for sure. As Whitney Frost collects the items she needs, and assembles and uses them for her intended purposes, I know she'll look terrific doing so, thanks to the penciling efforts of Dave Marquez, and the coloring of Justin Ponsor.
Dragon Dave
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