In space, no one can hear you… meow? Your Major Spoilers review of Captain Marvel #7 awaits!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #7
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist: Marcia Takara
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Sana Amanat
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Previously in Captain Marvel: “When an alien refugee named Tic came to Earth requesting help from the Avengers to prevent an interplanetary turf war, Captain Marvel got involved and promised to not only bring the young girl home, but also to bring peace to her planet. Now, the crisis is averted, but Tic has refused to leave Captain Marvel’s side. She stowed away aboard Carol’s ship and has only made things more complicated now that Earth’s mightiest hero need to rendezvous with the Guardians of the Galaxy, with whom she entrusted her ship and pet cat, Chewie…”
AN APPROACHABLE HERO
As this issue opened, I felt certain that I had missed a chapter, with Captain Marvel in action against the alien Builders with Spider-Woman, War Machine and most of her supporting cast in tow. As she fails in her mission, and everyone she loves dies, Carol Danvers…
…suddenly sits bolt upright in bed, disoriented and angry at having the same nightmare over and over. It’s a nice storytelling device, allowing us to see into our character’s head without a lot of falderal or exposition, and even makes me like our hero better. As we transitioning into the issue, we find Captain Marvel returning to her ship one a borrowed shuttle, only to find that the feckless Star-Lord has sent his lieutenant, Rocket Raccoon, to return it and her beloved cat. The continued miscues make for a nicely funny interaction between Marvel and Rocket, who is convinced that her kitty is actually a rare and dangerous alien creature known as a Flerken. The fact that he might have told alien traders of this fact leads to confrontation, leaving Captain Marvel on the wrong end of laser cannons.
There’s also the fact that he might be right.
AND ROCKET’S BACK!
It’s fun to see Rocket getting the Wolverine treatment, with his own series, and multiple crossover appearances, and the conflict between him and Carol is really funny and well-constructed. This issue ends with a moment that may or may not be a terrible mess, but will likely end up in some nice Sigourney Weaver riffing in coming issue, which I enjoy. Captain Marvel’s interactions with Tic are also quite lovely, reminding me of how successfully this creative team has been in making her into the first-tier hero that so many have wanted Captain Marvel to be. Artistically, it’s a winner as well, with great facial expressions, and a perfectly disgusting “breakfast” that keeps wriggling around in every scene. This is a build-up issue, with a little action and a lot of banter, but it’s all good banter, and by the reveal, I didn’t feel like the issue slighted the characters or the ongoing space-travel arc, but it should be noted I like a quiet story full of interpersonal stuff as well as a big smash-em-up.
THE BOTTOM LINE: UH OH
I’m a little bit surprised to say that I’m enjoying Carol’s space-travel story, as I was worried that we’d covered the star-faring superhero territory a bit too well in the past. If the secret of Captain Marvel’s kitty is what it seems to be, we may be in for a hell of a ride over the next couple of issues, but it’s a ride I’m nonetheless looking forward to. Captain Marvel #7 is an issue with a lot of charm and quiet development before the weird stuff kicks in, with a surprising turn halfway through, and some really lovely art (which is a theme in this title over the last couple of years) earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. This one comes recommended.
