REVIEW: ‘Marvel Action: Captain Marvel,’ Issue #2

Marvel Action: Captain Marvel #2 is written by Sam Maggs with inks by Isabel Escalante, colors by Heather Breckel, and layouts by Mario del Pennino. The comic is published by IDW Publishing. Captain Marvel and Ghost Spider were about to get lunch on Carol’s day off when The Mad Thinker and his Awesome Android struck. Now the two have some business to take care of after all

This volume of Marvel Action: Captain Marvel lands right in the middle of the recent online generation wars between older Millennials/Gen-Xers versus Gen Zers. In the previous issue, we saw some great banter between the teenage Gwen Stacy and the not-teenaged Carol Danvers over what it means to be a superhero and whether social media has a role to play in that. In this issue, we see the logical but still satisfying conclusion of that conversation.

In a fun twist on The Made Thinker and Awesome Android, they are on a quest to control humanity through the power of viral dances on their universe’s equivalent of Tik Tok. It’s a tad on the nose, yet it fits perfectly. The jokes and references all land without cringe and the fight between the heroes and villains within this premise. I enjoy how uncomfortable Captain Marvel seems with it all, though I wish there were more chances to see Ghost Spider fit in more naturally at the same time.

I only wish that Gwen and Carol got to spend more time together in this book. Their relationship dynamic wasn’t as emphasized and clear as in the first issue, where I thought it was really strong. You can tell there’s a mentorship relationship here, but previously you got a lot more friendship vibes too. The last page of this issue reinforces that really well, but throughout the rest, I was left wanting a bit more. I also wish this issue has provided a bit of a mirror opportunity from the first issue; where there is shown some of Gwen’s friends and their dynamics, I wish this issue showed some of Carol’s peers and their dynamics. The juxtaposition would have been a nice addition to the story’s moral. Alas, the book is entirely good just the way it is.

The art direction feels lively and like a good match for a younger target audience. There’s a bit of a bubbliness to the style that between the designs and most vibrant colors helps make the story feel more welcoming for newcomers to these characters. Yet, it doesn’t feel juvenile either. Readers from both ends of this generation war can enjoy the story alike. The lettering equally contributes to the balance and adds nice flair with its colorful SFX.

Marvel Action: Captain Marvel #2 may have come to an obvious conclusion, but it was an enjoyable journey as well as a lesson well-learned. I would enjoy continuing to see these iterations of the characters and look forward to what lessons Captain Marvel may learn in the next story.

Marvel Action: Captain Marvel #2 is available wherever comics are sold.