The Marvel Universe is littered with super-powered exoskeletons. In addition to countless versions of the Iron Man armor, there’s the Guardian, Mandroid, the Crimson Dynamo, the Beetle, and so on. Very few of these high-tech suits are piloted by women. Writer Dana Schwartz rectifies this a bit in the first issue of Rescue 2020. Tony Stark is missing. His disappearance has caused all kinds of problems, and it’s up to Pepper Potts to suit-up and save the day. The first issue is drawn by Jacen Burrows. It’s a very clean and dynamic execution of a basic action concept that opens-up on quite a few possibilities for a new iteration of Iron Man.

Tony Stark isn’t the most stable guy in the world. He’s suffered from all kinds of psychological issues over the years. His latest meltdown came with the revelation that he’s actually dead and replaced by an A.I. construct. Now his adoptive brother is taking over the business in a way that involves the kind of danger only Potts can fix. Danger and adventure await someone who might have preferred a more quiet period of reflection. 

Potts would theoretically make an easy character to switch into a lead role. She’s been a minor supporting character for decades. It wouldn’t take much to shift her to the center of the panel and let the story roll from there. Schwartz reaches further than simply placing Potts in the center of the panel. She gives the supporting character depth and fluid sense of heroism that strikes a very unique angle as a businesswoman who is also juggling so much else. Her emergence as the main character here shows a great deal of promise.

Burrows is handed the challenge of making Potts’ look like a distinct Iron Man who is clearly delineated from others. It’s not an easy task given the character’s lengthy history. Burrows does a clever job of giving Potts her own place from a very unique mutation on the classic armor to an office/headquarters that feels designed quite specifically for her. Furthermore, the action on the page flows out of her psyche with a clever sense of characterization that fills every panel. There’s such a sense of mastery about Potts that Burrows lends to the page. It’s almost inspiring.

Schwartz and Burrows are off to a promising start with a whole new angle on the Iron Man concept in an issue that exhibits a very together heroine who exhibits all of the strength, power, and poise of an Avenger. The art pulls together a fascinating script with dynamic action and nuanced portrayal of drama. The story itself may be cast in a mold that goes back to the dawn of the original Iron Man character, but Schwartz and company make it feel fresh.

Grade: B+