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