I've been suckered into reading a new 'Captain Marvel' comic, despite my resolve to cut down on consuming Marvel and DC comics, as well as their other media (I've finally come to the full realisation that everyone, geek or no, is bad at boycotting; I don't recommend it). It's the many cool art covers, I suppose - they're too good.
But 'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: The Omen' turns out to be fresh, nice, entertaining, and action-packed, even funny in some spots. This new storyline for Carol Danvers takes a darker, more supernatural direction than was seen before by me.Basically, it has the bands-that-make-Carol-swap-places-with-another-girl-when-she-uses-her-powers plot device from the MCU 'The Marvels' movie. Except it's with a new character, not Ms. Marvel or Monica Rambeau. And the Negative Zone is involved.
Meet Yuna Yang, a young cat burglar. She's a really cool and interesting addition to the Marvel canon, with a seriously interesting family and home dynamic, plus she has a crush on fellow Empire State University student Leonore. She has purple in her dark hair, and wears purple facial recognition camouflage - what more could you want from a clever rebel and thief?
The comic's focus is on Carol and Yuna. The unlikely pair end up making a good, supportive, bantering team. Then there are the villains, who fortunately are just as strong and engaging a presence: the dark and mysterious harpy Omen, a brainwashed and corrupted Genis-Vell, and the nega-cosmic, eldritch horror of inevitability and existentialism, the Undone.
There are many twists and turns, and it is far from finished, but I enjoyed the ride greatly.
Other superheroes who end up fighting alongside Carol and Yuna are Doctor Strange and Clea Strange. Black Cat is also in this. But not really. Uh, spoilers. Let's move on.
Family, working together, and protecting loved ones being a mutual goal are the predominant themes of 'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: The Omen'. The artwork is fantastic. It is colourful, heart-pounding and fist-pounding, doing justice to the new, exciting, and darker chapter in the life of Captain Marvel - leader of the Avengers, and universe saviour. The artists can't take all the credit; writer Alyssa Wong clearly cares about the Captain.
There's no mention of the terrible retcon from that 'Life of Captain Marvel', which is another huge starburst to the comic.
However, on that note, I wish we were shown any of Carol's--uh, for lack of a better term, normal, civilian life. Where are her civilian friends now? The Marvels, the Avengers, the Kree and the Skrulls can't be her only family now, surely? The only family theme that applies to her? She still appears and sounds lonely...
I haven't read a recent 'Captain Marvel' comic in a while, but I like 'The Omen', and wasn't too confused or frustrated whilst reading. Carol Danvers is her awesome, butt-kicking self, and an adult woman, and that's all that matters to me.
No love interest for her here, and Yuna's love interest is a girl, so win-win! And w/w!
It might be the last 'Captain Marvel' comic I'll read in a long time, though...
For my past 'Captain Marvel' reviews, which mainly consist of my fangirling the heck out of her, feel free to click on these links:
'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More'
'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight'
'Captain Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Hero, Vol. 1'
'Avengers: The Enemy Within'
'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight'
'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Re-Entry'
'Star: Birth of a Dragon'
'Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Cosmic Cat-Tastrophe'
'Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster'
'Captain Marvel Little Golden Book (Marvel)'
'Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: The Omen' Final Score: 3.5/5
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