Captain Marvel # 7 Review

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Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Monsters and Gods: Part 1 of 2

Written by: Peter David
Penciled by: Kyle Hotz
Inked by: Chris Sotomayor
Colored by: Chris Sotomayor
Lettered by: Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Peter David has done an admirable job in attempting to bring CAPTAIN MARVEL to a wider audience. The U-Decide event really was no contest, and PAD has been nothing short of spectacular in blowing the lackluster competition out of the water. Bill Jemas didn’t belong on the same playing field, and Ron Zimmerman’s Ultimate Adventures didn’t stand a chance because of the extremely late delivery of issues after #1. Yet, is CAPTAIN MARVEL better off?

The first six issues of the new, new, new CAPTAIN MARVEL series followed the title character’s fall from grace after being driven mad by his cosmic powered ability to see and know all. After the rousing finale in issue 6, the series continues in the vein of Cap as an anti-hero. Appalled by the Norse Gods increased role in governing mortal matters, Captain Marvel storms Asgard and demands of Thor to be treated not just as an equal, but a superior.

PAD’s writing is humorous, as always, including some memorable quips to Thor and other denizens of Asgard, as to why he should be a god, and they not. I think the course the book’s taking is its essential failing. CAPTAIN MARVEL should not be a super villain title, and that’s what it feels like. I miss the structure of the last series, and the great cast of characters, especially Marlo, Rick’s sometimes-estranged wife. Much of the previous material was jettisoned to get a fresh start and attract new readers. The new start spiked sales, but they’re now moving down to the level previous to U-Decide.

ChrisCross, who had been the regular penciler on the last Captain Marvel series, as well as the current series, is now gone. To say the art in the current issue is an utter, complete, and total disappointment would be an understatement. The computerized coloring technique used by Chris Sotomayor has run its course. Kyle Hotz art was always dependable in my opinion, but the merger with Sotomayor’s coloring does not work. The characters come off as bad Disney art, and several of the pages appear grainy. One improvement though is Rick Jones. Kyle Hotz has brought back a more classic look to the prototypical sidekick, which was severely lacking in the ChrisCross version.

Unfortunately, the new grim and darkly amusing CAPTAIN MARVEL is not as good as the zany title that preceded it. Cancellation is rumored once again, and the re-launch appears to be a failure. I would have preferred PAD’s CAPTAIN MARVEL to go out with a bang, rather than have it merely survive another 10 issues or so! It’s not that I don’t like the current series, it’s not bad, but the previous series was top-notch.