The Good
There seems to be an idea, or a notion, going around that in order for something to function as drama or have any kind of real emotional punch, it must be serious. Or more specifically: it must take itself terribly seriously. Kelly-Sue DeConnick at the helm of CAPTAIN MARVEL proves, issue after issue, that this needn’t be the case and that there’s room for wit, levity and even a touch of whimsy amidst real, impactful, dramatic moments. With this issue, we get a finish to the brief tale of Chewie the Flerken, complete with Tic’s future in the title and a full (hilarious) reversal of feelings by Rocket. So in a way, we ALL learnt something from this little escapade. DeConnick writes the characters with an effortless wit that never crosses over into needless hostility nor does it ever break out of what has already been established for these characters (and not just because she’s created one and been the driving force behind another for well over a year). The plot is almost inconsequential because this is a very small story that focuses on a very small cast of characters, so the fact that the characters take the focus isn’t entirely unexpected, and it allows her strengths as a writer to shine brightly through.
Marcio Takara’s linework has its ups and downs this issue, but when it is up, it is WAAAAY up. His art is is fluid and incredibly dynamic, giving us not just an illusion of motion, but often a snapshot quality that makes it feel like the characters were moving mere MOMENTS ago, sliding from one panel to the next. The panel layouts are easy to follow and the action never becomes too chaotic, but always looks beautiful and that’s in no small part also thanks to colorist Lee Loughridge. By using a straightforward palette, it imbues the title with a playful, wonder that still feels mature. It would be at home in a kid’s comic, but feels entirely in place in this as well.
The Bad
The villain of the last two issues, the massive, oily hive ship, isn’t ever really defined well in terms of its motives nor what, exactly, it is. It comes from nowhere and to nowhere it returns. Will it be back? Seems likely, but there’s very little teased out about it that would make that prospect either promising or fearful other than what’s on the surface.
I mentioned that when Takara’s art was up, it was WAY up, and I absolutely stand by that. The problem is, it’s not always up. There are more than a few panels that look almost like the characters are still in concept stages or the details are indistinct and tending toward mushy.
The Verdict
This book is setting out to define itself more and more with every issue almost as its own discrete existence in the Marvel Universe. Despite frequent guest appearances by the likes of the Guardians of the Galaxy or James Rhodes, the book still feels independent and like it’s blazing its own trail. This issue gives us the finale of a brief, but very fun, story arc and perfectly sets up the fact that the next one could be about almost ANYthing. There are even a few touching moments to make sure we stay emotionally invested in the characters’ journey.