– – –
Meet Carol Danvers. She used to be a pilot, but after the explosion of a Kree device gifted her with alien powers, now she’s an Avenger who lives in the top of the Statue of Liberty and makes out with Iron Patriot on the side. She’s the kind of gal who takes her cat into space. She loves Star Wars and punching people. We have only just met, but I love her.
Even before I really got into the story, I was already sucked into this world. DeConnick’s dialogue immediately clues you in to who these characters are, and David Lopez’s pencils are pitch perfect. Just the right amount of curves and lightness mixed with utter badassdom. He also does this cool thing with differentiating between Carol as Carol and Carol as Captain Marvel in war-mode. Her costume has a helmet that she pulls her hair through like a mohawk and IT IS SO COOL. Her face is so expressive, like a real person’s. The colors in this are gorgeous as well. Every panel is a feast for the eyes. It was a little bit like seeing Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time. Just that riot of alien life in technicolor coming at you, hard and fast and with a sense of humor. Fitting, since the Guardians make a memorable appearance in this book.
More cat action:
She just really likes her cat, okay:
The basic arc of the story is that after an alien girl shows up in a life pod asking for help, Iron Man asks Captain Marvel to be the first emissary from the Avengers into space, job description: “Hanging with the Guardians of the Galaxy, bring intel back, and tag out with the next guy.” But bringing the alien girl home soon turns into a diplomatic nightmare, with Emperor J’Son of Spartax being a dick and stuff, and there’s this whole thing with a poison planet and Carol has to sass her way into everyone’s hearts. It’s beautiful.
My only complaint is that the ending was a bit predictable. We’ve all seen that trick-the-bad-guy-into-being-a-douche-while-everyone-can-secretly-hear-him exactly one million times before. But it was only a slight letdown after the fun of the ride getting there.
Also, can I just have at least two of these covers framed and mounted on my wall please? Sooooo pretty. Volume two, due in April, was pre-ordered immediately after finishing this.
[4.5 stars]
