Carol and the Future Crew proceed into what will certainly be a trap as Ove comes a-calling in Captain Marvel #23 written by Kelly Thompson, art by Lee Garbett and Belén Ortega, colors by Antonio Fabela, with letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles.
Cat Purcell: As we left off in the previous issue, we’re back in the future that we saw in The End, many of our beloved Avengers and X-Men have not made it through. . . whatever this is, in walks Luke Cage under the influence of whoever Ove is, and we are mostly just confused and disappointed. I was very excited by this cover initially, but I hope you aren’t as disappointed by how it unfolds, dear readers.
Christina Eddleman: A misleading cover?!? In comics?!!? I’m aghast. How could this have happened?! IT’S… it’s…. It’s a pretty cool cover. I’m not going to be bitter about it too long. But if we’re back to chasing the ghost of a good thing this week, I’m glad it’s with you, Cat! Let’s dive in.
Team Up
CP: So Luke saunters in and let’s it be known that Ove would like to see Captain Marvel. We meet the sort of new team in this bunker and discuss who this trap is set for. And we also meet Brigid, Thor’s daughter, who I immediately am enamored by with giant heart eyes and that big ol’ Bugs Bunny Heart popping outside my chest. What was your take on this post-apocalyptic group, Christi?
CE: I distinctly remember questioning Dani’s whereabouts last issue, so it was nice to get our panel with handy dandy name tags. I am mildly resentful that Thompson has so squarely gotten our number with big, strong ladies. It feels targeted specifically at us and I will accept no other explanation. That being said, Brigid feels incredibly similar to our gal Lauri-Ell, minus the fish out of water trope. Were there any other members of this team up that stood out to you, Cat?
CP: You’re right to make that comparison, Christi, but of all the things I could complain about, this one ain’t it. I am glad to see Emma again. I think I’ve discussed before how I’m not usually drawn to her, but I do really enjoy how Thompson write Emma and Carol together. I’m also a fan of any wolf girl, whether it’s Ginger from Ginger Snaps or Sheila from GLOW, so I do hope to get to see more of Sora. Otherwise, I gotta admit, I’m not really interested in the others and wish I felt guiltier about it.
CE: I think the largest fault is in the size of this supporting cast. Thompson has really nailed some quintessential Carol and friends relationships and this issue is completely devoid of those relationships in favor of a big cast that doesn’t have much time to develop compelling backstories aside from their connections to characters we currently enjoy. I agree that Emma is the most interesting of the bunch; I am intrigued by what exactly is going on with her. Emma as a guardian of the younger generation is a perfect spot for her to be, and her diamond form is incredibly purposeful. It’s perhaps the biggest hook of this issue for me, and that includes our Atlantean beefcake.
CP: Ha! I cannot disagree. I must say I do disagree with Emma’s knock on Carol’s “Speech” however. I found the whole line about hero being a loaded word and just needing to be people who make a difference. That line stuck out to me, particularly as we write this on election day and it’s something I think I’m going to remind myself of a lot whenever I get discouraged going forward.
CE: Sincerity is an incredibly underrated tool of persuasion and felt very authentic coming from Carol. You touch on some parallels I really felt within this issue. The reference to “the sickness” was a bit much for me at the moment. We get a more detailed history of the events that led up to this grim future. I tend to prefer vague explanations in the case of dark futures. Filling in the backstory tends to become a lot of tell, don’t show and slows our forward momentum. I feel as though a lot of what we got in this issue will be essential going forward or completely contradicted.
CP: That checks out. And I feel similarly about backstories. I think we could have done with a shorter sum up but I suppose what else do you do when traveling a long way through a barren land?
Roll Out
CE: A barren wasteland is the perfect time for some campfire bonding! Let’s bust out some s’mores and an acoustic guitar (Gerry looks like he knows Wonderwall) and tell scary stories! Like the story of an apocalyptic nightmare aided by a mysterious sickness. Fun! We’ve mentioned our thoughts on backstories already, but this one is particularly grim.
CP: Yeah, seeing two epic planetary wars that lead to the deaths of Thor, Kate, and more and then ending in the Big Button getting smashed is not campfire tales for the weak. The tie in with what we saw happen in The End, but from the survivor’s perspective was interesting though. Gosh, how would you react to be told about how your future self sacrificed your life for these folks by flying into the sun?
CE: Even for heroes, hearing about your death has definitely got to be an unsettling experience. Carol really seems to take it in stride though. All in a day’s after all. Her only sentiment seems to be regret that she wasn’t there to help sooner.
CP: Yeah, and again she’s confronted (or confronted for the first time) with if it would have mattered if she were there earlier? I did appreciate Garbett’s artistry in capturing Carol’s expression as she learns the history of her current place in time and her own future. And right as we’re taking in those warm campfire glows, something attacks in the night!
CE: There have been some very strange beasts in the future. But this one looks like the Little Shop of Horrors stage crew got a little out of hand with Audrey II. “Feed me, Carol!” Are these the same plant tentacles we saw last issue that got Carol stuck in this mess to begin with? Because they sure seem like it.
CP: They definitely seem connected somehow and Carol and Emma raise good points that it could be sent from Ove to test them on their way or it could just be the result of whatever nuclear blast happened in the past. It’ll be interesting to find out.
CE: They’re a totally different threat than the demonic sort we saw in the future last issue, making it all the more suspicious. Regardless, Carol’s finger gun maneuver gave me major Dazzler vibes and I’m here for it. She hasn’t met a foe in this future she couldn’t handle, but what about a friend?
Punch Through
CP: That’s a good question! She’s handled most physical fights with ease so far, but as they walk in the dark they find not only a sparkling, colorful society that stands out in the grey tones of the wasteland, but also is that Namor as Ove!?
CE: It sure appears that way, but this seems to be Ove’s first meeting with Carol. I wonder if this is simply his progeny, as many of our other characters seem to be second generation heroes. It’s Namor with a blond streak, and beard braids that I enjoy in a way that makes me uncomfortable. Also, Ove seems friendly. Strangely so. Surely nothing fishy happening here, right, Cat?
CP: Fishy is the pun of the day and understatement of the issue! I think you would be right about Ove being Namor’s offspring. Otherwise, the timeline doesn’t make sense. This meeting, which again bears no resemblance to the cover and I will absolutely be bitter about it, sparks so many more questions. How are they so prosperous? If Ove is so friendly, why the hostile attacks against our group? For as much as this issue felt like filler, this last panel snagged me back in again. You got any theories, Christi?
CE: Well for one, I think we can solidly mistrust any amicability we’re reading from Ove at the moment. Luke Cage backhanding Dani makes that abundantly clear. But why the rift to begin with? What of the mysterious apocalypse and sun death? Was it aliens or something more? There’s a ton of loose ends to tie up and not much to go on except that likely nothing is as it seems. Well, hopefully Ove’s abs are real. That’d be awfully sad if they weren’t.
CP: It is a beautiful sight to see. And I would love to see how tricked out the New York Public Library is based on that last frame. So I am looking forward to seeing more of that as well as Ove in the next issue!
CE: I knew I could count on you for library enthusiasm! It seems like a truly wild civilization. If Luke Cage is still alive (albiet, mind controlled) what other characters might we encounter in New Atlantis? This feels like the beginning of a new chapter for our dark future.
CP: After feeling like these past two issues were primarily set up and backstory, I’m eager to get into the meat of this arc. The action scenes, inks, and colors have been stunning. I am glad they’ve embraced the bold colors even in the dreary apocalypse. That about sums up my thoughts though.
CE: We were thoroughly underwhelmed last issue, and I feel like I might have been after my first read of this one. However, after digging in and talking it through with you, Cat, I’m starting to get excited to see where this story may go. I’ve really enjoyed much of Thompson’s take on Captain Marvel, and I’d like to see my faith restored.
Marvelous Musings
- Definitely a fan of glowing white Captain Marvel, no matter the setting. – CP
- Is it just me, or does that look like a tentacled butthole? – It’s not just you
- We got Jeff the Landshark for one page only and I’m going to be bitter about it – CE
Cat Purcell is a Career Services Librarian, cosplayer, artist, and massive coffee consumer.
Christi Eddleman is the world’s first Captain Kate Pryde cosplayer and co-host of Chrises On Infinite Earths.
