A lesion on Captain Marvel’s brain makes it impossible for her to fly, so she is forced to zip around on Captain America’s old flying cycle, which she finds difficult to operate.  This complicates her aerial battle with a fake Deathbird.  Meanwhile, her doctor Farzana Nayar brings in a second opinion, Dr. Ryland, who treated someone else with a similar condition– someone close to Carol.  Speaking of those close to Carol, one of her other acquaintances may be in danger as a villain from her past, who was supposed to be dead, resurfaces.

I really love the artwork on t his book, although I know there are surely some that can’t appreciate it.  It’s extremely stylized and unique, but I love the energy in the movement and the fluidity of it all, not to mention the excellent detail work.  Some panels are very simple and sparse, while others are packed with lines.  I know it won’t appeal to everyone, especially more vanilla readers, but I really dig it.

With this issue, all of a sudden every issue leading up to here ties together.  Subplots that didn’t seem connected are.  Characters that appeared in what felt like throw away scenes, are now important.  Bravo, Kelly Sue DeConnick and Christopher Sebela!

The writing on this book is consistently good, especially the dialogue, but the real treat is how dense Carol’s back story is shaping up and how rich her supporting cast has become, incorporating new characters like Helen Cobb, who effortlessly slip into Marvel’s past history, along with pre-existing characters like Dakota North and Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew.  Think about the best super heroes, like Spider-Man and immediately you think of Aunt May, Mary-Jane Watson, Gwen Stacey, J. Jonah Jameson, Robbie Robertson, etc.  That’s often something that’s missing when it comes to less successful heroes (e.g. Wonder Woman, whom every writer seems to think needs a new supporting cast as soon as they start writing her book).  Marvel is trying to position Captain Marvel as their leading female hero and this book services her well to that end.

 

CAPTAIN MARVEL #12
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Christopher Sebela
Art by Filipe Andrade
Cover by Joe Quinones