It's been forever since I reviewed an issue of Captain Marvel, and this new story arc seemed as good a place as any to check out the title once again. The good news is that it's quite accessible and still boasts that snappy Peter David dialogue that's always so much fun. The bad news is that the book boasts a couple of plot developments that just don't make any sense. Lopresti's artwork is pretty good, telling the story clearly, but the real strength in the visual component of this book stems from Christ Sotomayor's vibrant, energy-filled colors.
Captain Marvel's malevolent, madness-driven rampage across the cosmos has come to an end, and he's set up a headquarters on a Saturnian moon from where he hopes to launch a new mission of philanthropy. He wants to make people happy, and first, he turns his attention to Rick Jones, with whom he is forever molecularly bonded. He aims to reunite Rick with his onetime wife, Marlo, and it seems to work, since she shows up at Marv's new digs. The problem is that it's not quite the Marlo they know.
Lopresti's artwork certainly captures the exotic and alien qualities of the story. The title character is a majestic figure, and I love the alien look of Marv's new home. But what really grabs the eye here are the colors. The vision of the glowing, orange visage of Rick communicating with Marv or vice versa is striking, and the colors bring texture and an enticing, rich glow to the art in general. I'm also struck by the Tony Harris and Toim Feister's cover art. Their computer-enhanced art is well suited to the cosmic quality of the story and the title character.
The dialogue here playful and thoroughly entertaining. If Aaron Sorkin was writing science-fiction, this is the sort of thing one might expect (though the Osama bin Laden gag falls flat). The script is also thoroughly accessible. Phyla is a new character to me, yet I had no trouble picking up on her role in the story, her background and her powers.
Where the book goes astray is in the plotting. Marlo's longing for Rick and consideration of another change to her sexual orientation just doesn't work for me. Sure, I liked Chasing Amy, but to me, it belittles the importance of an individual discovering one's sexual identity, especially one that places that person in the minority. Furthermore, the arrival of another Marlo -- inexplicably embittered and empowered -- just left me scratching my head.
