CAPTAIN MARVEL vol.4 #1
"Shards"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: ChrisCross
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
I'm am not a fan of the attitude that's been put on Marvel's "U-Decide" event, through which readers are meant to vote on which one of three new series -- Marville, Ultimate Adventures and Captain Marvel -- will have a life beyond the first six issues. But if I had to choose among them, David, ChrisCross and Sotomayor's efforts would win out. The energy in the art is matched only by David's wit and the philosophical and psychological themes he explores in a way that only the super-hero genre will allow.
Captain Marvel is dwelling on his cosmic awareness powers and how they can help him to make the most of his other powers, saving lives and putting an end to evil. Rick Jones, who switches places with the alien hero and watches him from the "safety" of the Microverse, is worried, though. Marvel isn't himself these days, and Rick fears that his cosmic awareness is pushing his unusual friend over the edge.
I'm not entirely certain, but judging from the art and the credits, it seems to me that for this title, Marvel's trying out its "digital inking" process, the same one used (to poor effect) on Salvador Larroca's art on X-Treme X-Men. Fortunately, the method works much better here. ChrisCross's tight pencils and dynamic style continues to capture the comedy and the sense of the cosmic that's at the heart of this title, and Sotomayor's vibrant colors and diverse palette brings out that energy and imagination even more. The coloring effects really drive home the weird nature of the title character's powers and how it affects his perceptions.
The core concept fuelling this story is a lofty one, and David wisely, and not surprisingly, balances it with some clever turns of phrase and delightful jokes. He balances the more intellectual tone with a more collaquial tone. A spiritual and ethical wisdom is tempered with Rick Jones's everyday wisdom and attitude.
Though I'm not a fan of the comics-showdown marketing approach of "U-Decide," I am pleased that David and ChrisCross's efforts are reaching a wider audience as a result. Those checking out this new #1 will discover that they aren't just offering dynamic, action-packed super-heroics, but some brainy storytelling that gives the reader cause to think about something bigger than a super-hero comic itself.
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