Sunday, May 5, 2019

Captain Marvel #1

Captain Marvel (2019-) #1

Captain Marvel #1 is the beginning of a new series by Kelly Thompson. I've been reading her recent Nancy Drew stuff, among others, and it's fair to say she might be an auto- buy author for me at this point? And she clearly gets the Marvel universe, which is not something you can say about everyone playing in Marvel's sandbox these days. This was an outstanding first issue, and especially so because I am not up on the latest Marvel happenings, so to come in on a long- established character like this, and feel right at home- that's an accomplishment for Thompson! 

Carol Danvers, of course, has been around forever, and this series deals with the history well. It starts off with a nice little montage of all the roles Carol has played through the years- as a solo hero, an Avenger, even an intergalactic warrior. And then the story brings everything full circle at the end, when something happens and we get to see a new facet emerge, a new role for Carol, dovetailing with the montage flashbacks we saw earlier.  

It's a very effective way to reintroduce Carol, paying homage to her past while setting things up very well for her present. And can I say the art is pretty fantastic? Not every panel, but the big moments- like the huge fight with a kraken that opens the story- look amazing. And this thing is chock full of guest stars as well, and yet they don't overwhelm the story, or take the spotlight off Carol. We get an appearance from Jessica Drew (aka Spider-Woman), and as versed in Carol's history as I am, I didn't know they were friends. Their banter throughout the kraken fight was hilarious. 

Oh, and just as a tangent- why would anyone in the Marvel universe live in Manhattan? I mean you're just going about your business and a kraken eats you. And your dog. Thank goodness Carol and Jessica were around. 


Captain Marvel (2019-) #1

Okay moving on. So the kraken was very cool and I loved the scene where Carol tries to lift it so they can get it out of Manhattan- she's strong enough to lift it, but it's so unwieldy, as one can imagine with a many- tentacled monster. It's little things like this that shine. Or Carol's repartee with Tony Stark. Yes, he is here, too. 

Later in the story Stark shows up as Iron Man, along with Captain America and Thor, to help Carol out when she's attacked by a guy called Nuclear Man. Yes, really. Also known as Mahkizmo (a little on the nose since his whole shtick is arrogant misogyny), I'm not really sure where that's going, but it all dovetails with the aforementioned thing that happens at the end. 

Some other things I liked. Apparently Carol was in a relationship with Rhodey (aka War Machine), and that looks to maybe be re- igniting? Also Hazmat makes an appearance- she's a kid with radiation powers that are sorta out of control, and Tony's been trying to help her, but he thinks Carol can relate to her more. Carol as a mentor? Yes please!  

Also a little nod to history, back when Carol was Ms. Marvel, not Captain Marvel- a reporter from Ms. Magazine comes along to interview Carol, at Stark's request. Nice touch, since Carol used to work at Ms. Magazine during her earlier comic appearances. Thompson clearly knows her Marvel history. All of this is to say- I loved this and can't wait to read more of Carol's adventures. 

Last thing. I've noted before that my favorite thing about the Captain Marvel movie was that Carol never gives up. So imagine my delight when Thompson addresses this. "Always get up" is the theme that Thompson goes with here- yes Carol makes plenty of mistakes, as everyone does, but the thing is- she always get up. Thompson gets it.

21 comments:

  1. Ohhhh just in time for all of the Avengers Endgame material as well. Although I've never read the comics, I did enjoy the movie of Captain Marvel a lot :)! I'm glad that Thompson is a huge fan and knows how to write to her audience.

    Elle @ Keep on Reading

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  2. I would be curous to read it and I need to see the movie!

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  3. This looks like such fun. I've not seen the movie yet but will as soon as it starts streaming.

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  4. I haven't read the book but did see the movie. It was really good! I was going to see Endgame with my two sons and DIL but I had to work :( They really liked it.

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    1. I liked the movie too! And yeah I waited a while to see Endgame, and honestly- I'm glad I did, with the crowds and whatnot.

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  5. Wow! I didn’t realize this was an actual book?

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    1. Yeah there's a ton of Capt. Marvel comics!

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  6. Glad she gets it and is doing the world justice! I love those illustrations!

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  7. This looks fun and I like that there's such a nod to this history of the character. I always love when you can tell whoever is handling a story or character with a past really just gets it!

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  8. Why would anyone live in Manhattan in the Marvel universe? Good point. This one looks like a lot of fun. :)

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  9. This looks really cool. I love the artwork!

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  10. It sounds like this story was well done. I can see why Kelly Thompson has become an auto-buy author for you. “Always get up,” is a great theme and I’m glad you get to see it in the story as well as in the movie. Great Review Greg!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  11. Yay for finding an auto buy author! It seems intimidating and tough to write about an already established characters, so that's great this author does it so well. He goes by Mahkizmo? Really? How... creative... lol.

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  12. Another title for my list of recs from you! Got Comixology and got three of the titles you recced. Working my way through them before I try more -- or rather I planned to but I might just add this to the list anyway. lol

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  13. This DOES sound like something I would enjoy, and I might as well pick it up because they cancelled her WCA. There was an author's note at the end of #10. They finished their current arc, and then...poof. It's so frustrating! I was really enjoying WCA, there were new characters being added, and the stuff with Kate's parents, also the weird relationship with Q and Gwenpool. The baby landshark! So many things!

    I like the idea of montage flashbacks for this one, because I'm not super familiar with her history and haven't seen the new movie. Thanks for the review of this one! Loved it!

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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  14. I have never been a marvel fan. Ever. I don't know why. I think it's so overdone that I just can't get into it.

    Mary

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