REVIEW: Captain Marvel #1

With the new Captain Marvel book I was very apprehensive, horrible cover art, the "All new character, all new costume!" kind of gimmick that it felt like and of course the writer that I have never heard of. Luckily I was majorly surprised! The tale of an old character, becoming a new character with a dead character's name and a shiny new haircut was great!

Kelly Sue DeConnick gives us an abundance of action and humour, but what I really felt rise to the top in this first issue was emotion. In between taking on heavy hitters with Captain America, Carol Danvers spends her free time talking with a sick friend and self-reflecting while floating above the earth. DeConnick's dialogue feels authentic too; she has obviously done her research on USAF pilots, and the history of the character. She proficiently provides a distinct voice for each character in this issue, adding in humanizing details like subtle, everyday uses of power while touching on how these powers can also serve to dehumanize a person by taking the risks out of life.
All these factors come together to create a vision of a woman who is ready to take the next step in her life. Captain America tells her, "Quit being an adjunct... Take the mantle." And when the former Avengers leader finally says she's "taking the damn name," you really feel like you are right there, helping guide her decision.

Dexter Soy handles the art, and in this issue it is absolutely striking. Like I said earlier; I was put off by Ed McGuiness'cover, why Marvel chose to give the cover to McGuiness I have no idea. Soy and he could not be further apart in art style. McGuiness has a light touch; his art is bright with a cartoony sort of atmosphere. While Soy's art is dark, heavy on blacks and everything feel's so fluid and watery. It's startling art to be sure, but it may throw you once you open the book.
It's also worth saying that the newly designed outfit looks incredible. Ms. Marvel's old look was fine, but I could never take her seriously as the leader of Marvel's big team. Now as Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers looks like a genuine hero.

It is clear that Kelly Sue DeConnick's intends to write a character-driven story. More often than not these days, superhero comics are driven by events, with the characters coming off as little more than action figures plugged into whatever the plot requires. It is refreshing to read a comic that puts the character front and centre and I will definitely be picking up next month's issue.

-Nic Shaw