Review: Captain Marvel #45 (Lgy #179)

The most consistent Marvel book of 2022 returns for 2023, mid-story and therefore mid-problem. What would you expect from the creative mid of Kelly Thompson.

Carol and the Binary Rescue Gang. are enjoying a soiree with flirting and drinks. Everyone is looking good, having fun, if it wasn’t for that pesky little mind-worm that hints at something forgotten. Thankfully, fake champagne and a ninja telepath don’t mix and before you can say “my psychic knife, the focussed totality of my telepathic abilities”, Psylocke is able to free Gambit, who manages to free himself, then Carol and then the gang to take the battle to the Brood!

Since this run began, Kelly Thompson has filled Carol’s story with many a cast of characters, some are used to ground Carol, others are there to remind us how powerful Carol is. Here, its a bit of both worlds, with Carol usual crew being joined by some X-Ladies and X-Man. Thompson walks this particular line well with each interaction. Thompson also takes time to focus on a very personal aspect to Carol, which, like Jessica, I found absolutely lovely. The action. is team centric, though again Carol has made a difficult decision based on trust ot those involved, showing development from the first few issues. I am a little confused though; the “previously on..” page states that Carol became Binary after experiments by the Brood. Yet, I am not sure the revelation of Carol’s half Kree side (see Life of Captain Marvel) giving her her power fits the previous origin. Time to revisit that series then! Back to the action, Thompson keeps things pacy with the usual snappy dialogue and the action pieces adding both humour and fearful dread!

Sergio Dávila provides the art. Last issue I mentioned that there was an Alan Davies feel to the party. This time there feels like the Kuberts’ have been involved, especially with Gambit and Psylocke. Maybe harshly, I would like the real Dávila please stand up. Anyways, intimation aside, Dávila provides some strong storytelling aspects, always a challenge with “team” books where everyone has to have some panel time. Dávila sticks to the remit, panel layouts help move the reader through the book. Body frames work well with Wolverine (Laura) getting the best of the X-Team. Sean Parson’s inks add a heaviness to the the kine work which helps sell the idea that the team are are in mortal danger, always a difficulty when you consider that, normally, everyone gets out alive. The threat level is exacerbated by the dark color scheme of Arif Prianto and Yen Nitro. Finally, VC’s Clayton Cowles supplies his usual high standard of lettering, though not high enough to get a cover credit!

By using team aspects to Captain Marvel’s, Kelly Thompson is showing readers not just her ability to deliver high quality storytelling, demonstrating a fantastic understanding of the character. She has also established herself as the type of writer that I would love to see take on the Avengers; how many time have the Avengers been in Carol’s book and vice verse? I am not sure the book could commercially be re-packaged as “Consistent Captain Marvel”, though it is fully descriptive and accurate. Another great issue!

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Kelly Thompson
Art by; Sergio Dávila
Inks by; Sean Parsons
Colors by; Arif Prinato & Yen Nitro
Letters by; VC’s Clayton Cowles
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network