Who Will Wield the Hammer? No, Not That One. The Space One. It's Captain Marvel #21!

Captain Marvel and her friends and family reunite after their cosmic adventures, but can they stop the Cotati invasion at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in this tale written Kelly Thompson, Cory Smith, Adriano di Benedetto, Tamra Bonvillain, and Clayton Cowles?

Cat Purcell: I’m very nervous to see where this arc ends up based on the state we left Lauri-Ell in and based on the cover. I’m hoping this team can pull it together and not only solve the crime and save the sister all in one go.

Christina Eddleman: Not gonna lie, it’s my second recent coffin cover, and I’m starting to think comics covers may not always be indicative of the content of the book. Astonishing as it is disappointing every time. I’ve been awaiting the wrap-up of this Empyre story arc not really too impatiently given how quickly we’ve gotten these last few issues, but after the main title wrap-up last week I am ready for this content.

“You Need to Calm Down”

CP: Jessica telling the plants to calm down made my night. Once again, Thompson showed how well she writes team ups. The Carol Corps in green delegated tasks, saved the civilians, and made for a fantastic fight scene that really had purpose. And Kudos to Smith, Di Benedetto, and Bonvillain again for those short shots. The six of just Lauri-Ell taking on the plants and then the nine of the group could all be whole pages on their own so much skill and action are depicted in each small frame.

CE: I certainly agree that the art team continues to do a phenomenal job delivering us some beautiful action. Thompson’s dialogue is so fun, it makes for a perfect fight sequence. Cowles lettering and sound effects are spot on. This whole sequence is delightful: punches and quips – what more could I ask for?

CP: That is an excellent point! Cowles sound effects flow so flawlessly with the action! Here again we see Carol questioning herself on her attachment to Lauri-Ell. Do you think she’s overthinking this, Christi, or a prime example of why Captain Marvel is the perfect Accuser?

CE: I first have to remark on how I love this internal monologue overlaying this fight. Of course Carol would be fixated on the authenticness of her feelings towards her sister during a beautiful fight scene. We’ve said it before, Carol is defined by her relationships. This new (and big) relationship has the potential to define Carol in even newer and bigger ways. Carol, like many heroes, has an incredible found family, and now she’s joined by actual family. It’s a lot to process. I am an expert in overthinking things, and I don’t think this is it.

CP: Well said! Especially as she’s got a lot on her personal and professional plate at the the moment.

“Better Than Revenge”

CE: Of all of the outcomes for that hammer that I considered, I feel incredibly foolish for not anticipating it to fall to Lauri-Ell. While I must agree with Jess that the new duds cover up Lauri’s incredible arms, it’s the perfect place and role for our beloved shimbo. I had my apprehensions about her taking up the hammer, but it does seem to suit her.

CP: I wholeheartedly agree. I’m a sucker for swol gals and I am not disappointed. That suit DOES look good on her and after Lauri-Ell’s decision to hand the hammer back to Carol to finish her job as the Accuser, I feel like it’s the perfect fit for Lauri-Ell afterwards. I must admit, I was terrified that first shot of the duplicated hammers reacting on the others though. I’m so thankful it didn’t backfire worse than it did!

CE: I appreciated the nod to the cost of magic with Jess’s comment that the hammers disintegrating was a painful experience for them. I also feared a “Golum and the Ring” moment when Lauri took up the hammer, but those fears are put to rest with her willingness to relinquish it. It also gave us the opportunity for a fabulous rainbow of colorful final attacks that made me remark aloud “oooooo.” (I’m a simple gal, who likes simple things.)

CP: It was really pretty! I can see clearly how blowing up that sun room with all those color would be a beautiful destructive act all wrapped up nicely. And getting to see the team in their original colors finish out that battle was a delight.

CE: This issue was primarily one long fight scene, but it was a fight scene done really well. When all was said and done and Carol laid one on Rhodey, I had maybe forgotten that they had been an item. I think maybe all that arm content got me distracted.

“this is me trying”

CP: This scene gave me a taste of what I wanted after introducing Lauri-Ell, the chance to see more of her and I hope further issues follow through with this perfect lead in to do more. Seeing that Carol’s secret sister was pure after all and still wants a relationship with her is so good to see. Carol getting the chance to share memories of their mom is just precious, as much as I hate how it’s now clear the coffin cover was a cruel trick.

CE: Given Thompson’s tendency to keep Carol surrounded by a supporting cast full of friends, I’m also delighted that we’ve got a sister in the mix. The ability for the two to share happiness and grief at the loss of a mother is truly a beautiful moment. Giving Carol an outlet for that is an excellent narrative choice.

CP: Absolutely, and letting them share that grief with a funny back and forth about whether donuts should be dinner was just a great sum up of Carol’s character. She doesn’t cover up with hard feelings with humor, she uses it to work through them. Lauri-Ell loves flowers, reality TV, and food and I still hope we get to see her share more of that with Carol going forward. Even if just for a frame. This relationship was a beautiful thing. And the chance to see a pure sister relationship in comics is rare. I’m on cloud nine.

CE: This was such a fun tie-in arc. My expectations for tie-in issues are incredibly low, so it doesn’t take much to impress me. That being said, the creative team really pulled off an enjoyable three issue arc that a reader could pick up without committing to every issue of the event. While I’m not thrilled by Molina’s cover on this issue, to me it’s a minor irritant in a large pool of misleading covers. I’m excited for Carol’s next chapter.

CP: Can it be that this is my first issue of Thompson’s run I’m going to gripe about? Yes, yes it is. I am annoyed by “death teasers” primarily because everyone knows no one stays dead in comics. But I especially hate it when it turns out the coffin on the cover represents an already established dead parent and not the title character. I’m also disappointed that with all of the cool costuming upgrades and emphasis on the power of the hammer and the title of the Accuser, we didn’t get to see Carol actually do the accusing?

That being said, the title and suit REALLY fit Lauri-Elll and I hope that this shift gives her the chance to continue popping into Carol’s life. They work well together, they compliment each other, and I love the way Thompson writes their dialogue just bouncing back and forth.

Overall though I really enjoyed this arc. It served as a nice side story to go with the Empyre event. There were humorous moments and some really serious ones that brought up some good questions on trusting people and groups and the various motives that drive them.

Marvelous Musings

Gonna have to make that shot of Carol slurping her coffee my next twitter avatar. – CP
I need the “My Best Friend Is The Boss of Space And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt” shirt – CE
“Just the idea of it fills me with sorrow and rage” damn, that could be the follow up to just about any headline this year, huh?
Kit is just the cutest, and I want only good things for her always -CE