REVIEW: ‘Captain Marvel,’ Issue #5

Captain Marvel #5 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Carmen Carnero, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles. This issue sees the conclusion to the opening story arc for Captain Marvel. Following up on Carol’s allowing Rogue to absorb her powers and personality, permitting Captain Marvel to free Rogue from the Nuclear Man’s mind control and joining the fight on the side of Carol and company.

This book launched with all the hype of the, then, upcoming Captain Marvel movie, and serve as a jumping-on point for new readers. With the conclusion to its opening arc now available I must say it has succeeded in this purpose. It serves as a great entry point for new readers, with very little of Captain Marvel’s myriad history coming to the foreground, and also played upon the themes of female empowerment that were so strongly focused on in the recent movie.

Thompson fulfilled her writing duties flawlessly here, creating both a compelling narrative, and filling it with characters that feel three dimensional and real. The ongoing internal monologue of Captain Marvel’s allows us to keep up with what transpires within herself allowing the reader to both see her as the world sees her, while also getting that all important glimpse behind the curtain which renders the hero in a much more human light.

Nuclear Man’s character is an impressive work of writing. On the one hand he is a classic style super villain with an over the top time manipulation plot to imprison an entire island and rule it, or more accurately run it into the ground, while also serving as a representation of the misogynistic attitudes held by many, without allowing the over the top super villainy to lessen the impact of the characters attitude or how destructive such attitudes are even when separated from super powers.

My favorite part of this story has to be the inclusion of Rogue. As one of the most influential character’s in Captain Marvel’s past it was great to see them in the book, working through their history, while working over Nuclear Man. Thompson’s experience writing Rogue shows as she is also given a great depth and natural feel. I sincerely hope she is given a chance to return during Thompson’s time on the book.

The art team of Carnero and Bonvillain continue to produce art that captures the story superbly. Clearly portraying the emotions of the characters, and keeping the focus on them, is an easy task to fail when a book is giving the exciting climax to a multi part story that has built up over the preceding issues. I felt this was particularly evident with the use of color in the issue, as the color and shades kept the feeling of the book a bit more grounded and personal.

The book leaves off with portents of things to come and I look forward to their arrival. I’m happy that Captain Marvel #5 did not fail to live up to all it promised both as an exciting super hero story, and as a superb and approachable look at the character of Captain Marvel.