REVIEW: ‘Captain Marvel,’ Issue #34

Captain Marvel #34 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Sergio Davila, inks by Sean Parsons, colors by Jesus Aburtov, and letters by Clayton Cowles. With Vox Supreme having taken War Machine, Spider-Woman, and Hazmat prisoner, Carol finds herself floating through space, locked in a veritable coffin. Can she free herself in time to stop Vox’s scheme and save her friends?

Not spoiling this issue isn’t going to be easy, but here goes.

The hits start early in this story. Carol’s immediate predicament forces her to expand her already formidable portfolio of abilities in a way I never would’ve seen coming. Thompson delivers another moment of growth for Carol in a way that allows the writer to expand on the character’s power set while tying the moment of growth back to what this run of Captain Marvel has rotated around so prominently: the central role Carol’s friends play in her life. Even locked in an impervious coffin, floating through the unending void of space and still, her friends are inspiring, pushing, and helping her become the best Marvel she can be.

While this newest evolution for Carol is the most significant talking point of Captain Marvel #34, the issue doesn’t stop delivering the hits after Carol escapes from her floating tomb. The confrontation that follows is equal parts surprising, hard-hitting, and emotional. The challenges that Thompson continues to craft for Carol to face perfectly blend the external stakes with personal ones for the iconic heroine.

While I could spend this whole review praising Thompson’s writing, Captain Marvel #34 benefits just as much from the excellent art that brings this story to life, Davila’s lines bring Carol’s struggles to life superbly. I particularly appreciate the artist’s approach to the book’s opening moments during Carol’s confinement. The visuals during this sequence do a great job of balancing the need to capture Carol’s physical confinement while also presenting the reader with a representation of the internal expansion of Carol as her power set grows.

Even beyond this sequence, though, the art delivers big-time throughout this book. The visual design of Carol’s newest ability is striking and how the art delivers this issue’s action is awesome. The hits are brought to the reader with all the earth-shattering force one can ask for. With so much going on in this story, the art could’ve easily been forgiven if it fell short in one area or another. But instead, it manages to keep up with the shifting narrative and energy of the book skillfully.

While Davila’s lines create the foundation for the wonderful visual manifestation of Captain Marvel #34‘s story, praise has to be given to Parsons and Aburtov as well. What Davila begins, the inker and colorist enhance and grow magnificently.

Rounding out the book presentation is Cowles’s work on letters. The dialogue is delivered cleanly, and Cowles delivers some magnificent sound designs throughout this book. One of the more impressive superhero landings I’ve seen in a while is in this issue, with no small amount of the moment’s impact coming from Cowles sound design.

When all is said and done, Captain Marvel #34 continues to build on the momentum that this story arc had already been riding high on. With the final pages teasing a huge showdown for the next issue, I cannot wait to see what this creative team gifts us with!

Captain Marvel #34 is available now wherever comics are sold.