It’s a great time to be a Captain Marvel fan.
Carol Danvers hasn’t had it easy lately. Then again, has she ever? She has had struggle and hardship since her debut in 1968. In her recent miniseries (The Life of Captain Marvel by Margaret Stohl, Carlos Pacheco, Marguerite Sauvage, and more), Carol discovered the truth about her mother, saw her brother fight for his life after a horrible accident, fought a Kree assassin, and had to deal with the unfortunate death of a family member. Carol’s life might be tough, but at least she’s back among friends in her new series and has a killer creative team guiding it.
Kelly Thompson has been delivering amazing comics at Marvel. Books like Hawkeye (with Kate Bishop), West Coast Avengers, and Mr. and Mrs. X are great examples what we have to look forward to with this comic. Her name on a book has been an instant indication that I’m going to love the comic.
We come into the story with the action already in high gear. Having read comics with Carol Danvers for decades, there was almost a nostalgic feeling seeing Carol fighting a giant creature along side Spider-Woman. The vibe of the battle raging on the streets of Manhattan made it feel like a pure Marvel story–something that has sort of been missing lately in other titles. With each turn of the page, I found myself climbing deeper and deeper into the story.
Thompson excels at writing character moments and interactions. She makes the characters feel alive. Some writers struggle with balancing the banter between character and the action in the story without it feeling too forced or like it’s coming out of nowhere. Thompson makes you want to get to know these characters beyond the panels full of superhero action.
Besides Jessica Drew, there are some other familiar faces that pop up. Carol can easily carry her own book, but it’s a joy to see others have small roles in the story to further encapsulate the Marvel Universe feel we’ve come to expect.
The art and color by Carmen Carnero and Tamra Bonvillain is a perfect fit here. A simple scene where Carol and Tony Stark have a conversation in an office was one of my favorite moments. As comic book readers, we expect and enjoy flashy panels and big punches. This scene is full of personality and emotion. You can see and feel the awkward but civil exchange between the two heroes who fought each other without holding back not too long ago. At the same time, you get the sense that they have both grown and matured since then–well, at least Carol has.
Carol Danvers is rising to the top in the Marvel Universe, especially with her solo movie out soon. This book is exactly what new and old fans will want and need. The character is so rich in history, and it’s perfectly evident that Thompson will be utilizing and respecting every bit of it.
Captain Marvel #1 by Kelly Thompson, Carmen Carnero, Tamra Bonvillain, and Clayton Cowles is now on sale. It’s an oversized first issue, and you’ll still find yourself wanting more. Basically, if you love cool comics full of action, humor, and suspense along with great art and color, you’ll want to pick up this book.
What the Heck is going on?!? 
Amazing review)