Review: Captain Marvel Vol 2 - Stay Fly

Having discovered that her cat Chewie is the last of an alien race, Captain Marvel must fight to protect her pet from certain annihilation at the hands of intergalactic mercenaries. Then, Lila Cheney drops in for some help wiggling out of a nuptial arrangement she made with the royal family of Aladna.

Captain Marvel Volume 2: Stay Fly collects issues 7-12 of Captain Marvel, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick and illustrated by Marcio Takara and David Lopez.

Picking up immediately after the events of the preceding volume, Stay Fly sees Captain Marvel begrudgingly accepting Tic as her partner as they fend off mercenaries hellbent on killing Chewie. Fan-favourite Rocket Raccoon guest stars in this arc, which ultimately means that DeConnick gets to write plenty of humorous dialogue. There’s this funny buddy cop vibe between our titular heroine and Rocket, which is created through a slightly antagonistic dynamic in their interactions with one another. The narrative itself is kind of strange. It’s a very random storyline that’s clearly intended to be lighthearted, but it reads and feels like filler.

DeConnick rushes through the proceeding issues, never allowing the characters to really breathe or the narrative to unfold organically. We have intergalactic rockstar (and Chris Claremont pet project) Lila Cheney teleporting onto Carol’s ship and asking for some help getting out of a sticky situation. After some uncharacteristic fangirling over Lila, we get some exposition and then our heroine is off to Aladna to find a way to free Lila from a nuptial agreement made with the Prince of Aladna. There are some really cool things about this arc – particularly the way in which everyone on Aladna speaks in rhymes and the reversal of gender norms. However, DeConnick spends all of one measly issue on this story. It’s unfortunate because the people Captain Marvel encounters here are pretty interesting and it would have been fun to get to see the events unfold a little more elaborately.

Stay Fly concludes with a two-part story wherein the villainous Grace Valentine escapes from jail and unleashes mind controlled rats on New York City in the hopes of getting Captain Marvel’s attention. Once more, we have DeConnick jamming what could easily be a four or five issue arc into two. She does the most with this limited space, particularly showcasing the really fabulous supporting cast she’s built around our titular heroine. Issue #10 did a spectacular job of highlighting the individual personalities of Spider-Woman and of Iron Patriot, which was done through an epistolary format. Sadly, the hasty pacing of issue #11 makes for a disappointing read. The final confrontation with Grace and her partner Toxie Doxie happens without proper build-up, which offers no suspense or tension. The silver lining though was in the little moments that reflected upon Carol and her relationship with Tracy Burke.

While DeConnick’s writing is inconsistent throughout and way too rushed, the art is on point. In fact, it may be this collection’s saving grace. Lopez’s art continues to improve, showing more dynamism and character with each successive issue. The work done by Takara is hands-down the highlight though. It’s absolutely stunning. It’s colourful, vibrant and full of life. I’ve been a fan of Marcio Takara for years on DeviantArt and so I’m naturally very happy to see him drawing these characters here.

Stay Fly is best described as filler. Nothing terribly important happens and it all feels very uninspired, which is largely due to none of the stories ever being given the room to grow beyond a couple of issues. I’ve been a fan of DeConnick’s take on Captain Marvel, as I think she’s a skilled dialogue writer and knows how to inject a lot of personality into the characters she writes. Sadly, I’ve been more ambivalent towards her Captain Marvel work post-The Enemy Within. It lacks the same gravitas that I’d gotten used to, so her work feels more like an Archie comic with superpowers. That’s not to say Stay Fly isn’t a fun ride, because it totally is. It’s punchy, colourful and funny, with moments of genuine emotion. But if you're looking for groundbreaking, epic adventures, you may want to look elsewhere.

RATING: B-

Review: Captain Marvel Volume 1 - Higher, Further, Faster, More

When a young alien crash lands on Earth, Captain Marvel volunteers to take her back home. She soon discovers that the girl comes from a planet whose people are dying of an unknown sickness. Never one to turn away from those in need, Captain Marvel sets about uncovering a political conspiracy that is at the root of the planet’s diseased population.

Captain Marvel Volume 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More collects issues #1-6 of Kelly Sue DeConnick’s second Captain Marvel series, with art by David Lopez.

Much like the preceding DeConnick-penned Captain Marvel series, this trade proves itself to be an enjoyable and accessible read that showcases its titular heroine as capable, funny and multidimensional. As far as Avengers go, Captain Marvel is one of the more likeable in large part due to DeConnick’s efforts here. She continues to explore Carol’s desire for independence and her need to find an identity through adventuring.

Higher, Further, Faster, More is funny. Really funny. This is perhaps the book’s greatest strength, since the storyline itself is fairly straightforward and lacks gravitas. These light-hearted moments punctuate the otherwise paint-by-numbers storyline of ‘hero helps a doomed planet,’ creating many standout scenes. A particularly zany exchange occurs when special guest star Rocket Raccoon insists on killing Captain Marvel’s cat due to mistaking it for an insidious alien species.

Besides the humour, DeConnick is able to craft relationships between her characters that help readers to invest in the narrative and ups the stakes. Her dialogue continues to impress, particularly due to her level of wit and cleverness, but also because she’s not afraid to point out the hypocrisies of her characters either.

David Lopez’s art is also to be praised. Generally speaking, I’m not the biggest fan of his work. I find his characters often all look the same and his women tend to seem very stocky. Here, however, it seems like he’s put more effort into distinguishing his characters and the colours help to add more dimension as well. Beyond that, I’m most impressed by the expressiveness of his art in this collection. The way the characters react, particularly Captain Marvel herself, has an anime-like quality that really works with the overall tone of the book.

Higher, Further, Faster, More is cute and it’s fun. It’s a breezy kind of read that showcases DeConnick’s punchy dialogue and impeccable character work, as well as Lopez’s ability to illustrate within a campier style. This collection doesn’t have the same kind of sense of importance or as high of stakes as DeConnick’s previous series, but it’s free of the baggage Captain Marvel has carried with her and serves as a prime example of just how cool and funny she is.

RATING: B+

Review: Avengers - The Enemy Within

When an enemy from Captain Marvel's past re-surfaces, she must deal with the ghosts of her past and take down the threat before he destroys the Earth. There's just one little problem -- there is a lesion growing inside of Captain Marvel's head and if she uses her powers it will grow so large that it will rob her of her memories.

Avengers: The Enemy Within collects this five-part crossover between Captain Marvel and Avengers Assemble written by Kelly Sue DeConnick.

Originally debuting as Ms. Marvel in 1977, Carol Danvers was touted as Marvel's first feminist heroine. Despite enjoying two successful solo series, Marvel never dared to focus a crossover on the character. Nearly 40 years later, DeConnick bravely takes that plunge with The Enemy Within. Believe me, this crossover was worth the wait.

DeConnick has a very clear grasp on the character and makes her one of the most likeable heroines in the Marvel Universe. She is brave, loyal, headstrong, and one-hundred percent badass. Carol's interactions with the other characters in this collection are commendable. Her friendship with Spider-Woman is especially noteworthy. Every exchange between these two gal pals is a total riot, with DeConnick playing Spider-Woman's sassy wit against Captain Marvel's seriousness perfectly.

Beyond the strong character work, it is quite clear that DeConnick not only knows the history of the character that she's writing but that she also knows how to write a thrilling adventure. The Enemy Within is a beautiful culmination of what she'd been building towards from issue one of Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel is faced with the ghosts of her past and the plot created by her enemy is nothing short of epic. There's a lot of thought put into the crafting of this narrative and DeConnick is to be celebrated for this. After all, most writers come onto a comic trying to force their own spin onto a character. Instead, DeConnick embraces Carol's past and uses it to forge one hell of a thrill ride.

This is another must-read collection from Marvel's Marvel NOW! initiative. It's punchy, exciting, and character-driven. It also happens to be incredibly accessible, as it only requires the knowledge of the preceding Captain Marvel trade paperbacks written by DeConnick. Avengers: The Enemy Within is a wonderful superhero tale that is equally as classic as it is contemporary. DeConnick's writing is impeccable and the art, though inconsistent, is incredibly dynamic. For anyone looking for strong female characters who kick butt, you need look no further than this collection.

Rating: A-

Review: Captain Marvel - Down

It isn't easy being a superhero. They have to juggle meetings, doctor's appointments and having a social life in between saving the day. Welcome to a day in the life of Carol Danvers. In Captain Marvel: Down, Kelly Sue DeConnick and Christopher Sebela deal with the realities of being a superhero with surprising realism and much-needed humour.

Much like its preceding trade paperback, Captain Marvel: Down is a brilliant portrait of the woman known as Carol Danvers. She is ambitious and hard working as well as compassionate and intelligent. DeConnick and Sebela's familiarity with the character is to be commended. It's obvious they've done their research. Together they weave characters and narratives from Carol's past together with newly created ones. It's refreshing to see writers acknowledging the past while working towards the future. The first two issues in this collection feature Carol teaming up with former Captain Marvel Monica Rambeau. The dynamic between the two women is fiery and portrays them as pseudo-rivals. Monica's no-nonsense attitude contrasts nicely against Carol's more laissez-faire demeanour. The dialogue is strong and the action that surrounds it is even better as the pair come together in order to battle a giant robot. It's pretty epic. The issues that follow are more grounded. We get a fast-paced glimpse into Carol's life and the struggles she faces every day in order to maintain a semblance of normalcy. Highlights of these issues include some cute moments involving Carol's cat Chewie and some pretty hilarious interactions between Carol and her best friend Jessica Drew (AKA Spider-Woman). DeConnick and Sebela raise the stakes for Carol as her doctor reveals some devastating news just before she must contend with the seeming re-appearance of an old foe. The art in this collection is spectacular. Dexter Soy handles the first two issues while Filipe Andrade pencils the rest. Their art is atypical for a superhero title and, as such, it adds incredible interest to the title. Each page appears as if it has been hand-painted, giving off a soft yet expressive feel to the images. Carol looks beautiful and the action is impressive.

Once again, DeConnick delivers the goods. Captain Marvel: Down is a fantastic read with well-written characters and pulse-pounding action. Carol continues to impress as Captain Marvel. She's easy to relate to and comes across as a flesh-and-blood hero who is attainable in her characterization. Pick up this collection while you can!

Grade: A-

Top 5: Graphic Novels Women Will Love

Comic books have long thought to have been a boys-only hobby. Testosterone-laden bad boys and damsels in distress fostered a largely male audience but times are changing. More and more women are flocking to comics, as evidenced by the growing numbers of female cosplayers at conventions. Still, it’s often a daunting challenge to get into comics so here’s a list of five amazing graphic novels that are perfect for starting off your comic book collection.

5. Captain Marvel: In Pursuit of Flight, Kelly Sue Deconnick

If there’s one superheroine who gives Wonder Woman a run for her tiara, it’d be Captain Marvel. Originally created as Marvel’s first feminist heroine, Carol Danvers saved the world on a monthly basis as the cosmically-gifted Ms. Marvel. Decades later, Carol received a spiffy makeover and name change that announced her presence as a truly modern superhero. Kelly Sue Deconnick’s first collection of these new adventures, available in the trade paperback Captain Marvel: In Pursuit of Flight, features a sassy and witty Carol Danvers in an array of truly unique narratives. For anyone looking to get into superhero comics, this is the perfect in.

4. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi

An atypical memoir, Persepolis details author Marjane Satrapi’s life growing up during the war between Iraq and Iran. This monochromatic graphic novel presents an intimate portrait of both Satrapi and the culture that surrounded her. It has been well-received across the world and has even been adapted into an Academy Award-nominated animated film. Persepolis is a delightful and engaging read that shouldn’t be missed.

3. Skim, Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki

With its stunning artwork, Skim is a masterful graphic novel that is accessible in its relatable narrative. Written by Canadian author and artist Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by her cousin Jillian Tamaki, Skim is a beautiful portrait of the life of Kimberly Keiko Cameron, otherwise known as “Skim.” Skim has to navigate through her adolescence and learn how to survive life as a high school student. This graphic novel earns extra points for being so distinctively Canadian (Swiss Chalet gets a shout-out!).

2. Ghost World, Daniel Clowes

This much-loved cult classic follows two social misfits – Enid Coleslaw and Rebbecca Doppelmeyer – as they attempt to find themselves in a faceless American town. Ghost World speaks to every teenager who has ever felt like an outsider and does its job of accurately depicting female characters as realistically as possible. It was even adapted into a critically-acclaimed feature film starring indie darling Thora Birch and a pre-Avengers Scarlett Johansson.

1.Batwoman: Elegy, Greg Rucka & J.H. Williams III

Gorgeous artwork and captivating storytelling are what elevate Batwoman: Elegy above all other superhero graphic novels. Written by former Wonder Woman scribe Greg Rucka, Elegy is an origin story that details Kate Kane’s life from disgraced soldier to proud lesbian vigilante. J.H. Williams III’s art is haunting and devastatingly beautiful, while Rucka’s treatment of Kate makes her one of the most well-written queer characters in comic books at the moment. This one is a must-read – regardless of whether you’re male or female.

Review: Captain Marvel - In Pursuit of Flight

                When Marvel announced that Ms. Marvel would be changing her name officially to Captain Marvel and would be wearing a brand-new outfit, the comic book community held its collective breath. Though this transformation was apparently an aesthetic one, many were skeptical and there are still quite a few who are uncomfortable calling Carol Danvers by her new moniker.  However, with the release of the first trade paperback collecting the first six issues of Carol Danvers’ new adventures as Captain Marvel it is clear that this change is a positive one and is one of the most interesting directions she’s been taken in in years.

                It must first be said that Kelly Sue DeConnick knows Carol Danvers really well. In Pursuit of Flight is well-written and DeConnick’s understanding of the character is evident to such an extent that Captain Marvel is captivating and interesting from the get-go. Carol is sassy, witty and independent but has tremendous heart. The interactions Carol has throughout these six issues with other characters take on a playful edge and it serves to illustrate Carol’s sharpness as well as her comfort around others. Her banter with Captain America and friend Tracy Burke are stand-outs as both laugh-out-loud and heartfelt moments. DeConnick should also be commended for including Spider-Woman (in her civilian identity of Jessica Drew) in one issue as it highlights Carol’s long-standing friendship with Jessica. The narrative itself outside of the witty dialogue is thrilling and keeps the reader in suspense. Carol accidentally travels back in time and must maneuver her way back to the past all while coming to terms with her new identity and legacy. There are explosions galore and a little espionage thrown in for good measure. To layer the story, DeConnick gives purpose to the time travel. It isn’t merely a device but has meaning as the reader eventually understands the events that led to Carol becoming the hero she is today.

                Dexter Soy takes care of the art chores for the first four issues. At times, it can be muddy and unappealing but its lack of polish helps it in standing out against more traditional comic book art. Soy’s ability to draw female faces should be commended though. When panels focus on Carol’s face, she looks stunning. Emma Rios takes over for the final two issues collected here. Her art has tremendous character to it and there is incredible expressiveness to the way she illustrates not only the characters but also how she constructs the panels. Much like Soy, her art is unconventional for a superhero comic but is nonetheless quite interesting. It should also be mentioned that the covers are done by Ed McGuinness and later Terry Dodson. They’re totally gorgeous and there’s a definite desire for said art to continue into the issues themselves.

                Captain Marvel: In Pursuit of Flight is a must-read for any comic book fan. It is action-packed and has lots of heart. Captain Marvel is a modern heroine who serves as a relatable role model. This would perhaps not be possible without her new costume and name change. She’s been moved into the 21^st century and acts as the kind of hero we should expect from our supposed "post-feminist" society. This collection is also accessible. For those using the excuse of comics being hard to get into, Carol’s adventures here stand on their own without the necessity for research and it even has a comprehensive biography of the character in the back, giving the reader all the information they’d ever want to know about Carol Danvers in one convenient place. Though Marvel’s continuity may be a mess as of late and it may continue to lead its company with eye-roll worthy events, Captain Marvel is that shining beacon in their universe indicating that perhaps all hopes may not be lost for the comic book giant.

Grade: A