It's a Kind of Magic in Captain Marvel #28

Carol is struggling in the aftermath of her trip to the future. As she turns to magic for the answer, she must make some Strange partnerships in his tale written by Kelly Thompson, art by Jacopo Camagni, colors by Espen Grundetjern, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

Cat Purcell: It’s been a wild few arcs of not being sure where in time or space we were these past few arcs, but after a month away, I’m glad to be back writing with you, Christi!

Christina Eddleman: Cat, I’m so sorry to tell you, but…. I reviewed Captain Marvel with someone else while you were away. A fourteen-issue streak, broken. I hope you can forgive me.

CP: *Gasp* How could you!?

CE: I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you. At least our coverage of this book has been more constant than it’s art team?

Artistic Differences

CP: So, we’ve maintained Thompson’s voice on Captain Marvel for over a year now. And though we have both had our ups and downs with the direction that voice has taken, it has at least been nearly as consistent as our own writings. But the art team? Remind me how that’s been going, Christi?

CE: It’s not uncommon to have a variety of artists cycle through a title, but we’ve had six different combinations of art teams over the last ten issues. We had a few issues of Smith, Benedetto, and Bonvillain (#18-21), followed by a transition to Garbett and Bonvillain (#22), then, Garbett and Fabela (#23-26, plus Ortega for some flashbacks). Last issue we had some fabulous art from Lopez and Fabela. It had a diversity of body types that I adored and an expressiveness that really breathed life into a run I’ve been at best lukewarm about recently. We’ve got Lopez and Fabela back next issue, but for now it appears Camagni and Grudetjern doing some fill in art that seems vaguely imitative of the style we’ve seen prior to Lopez. It’s a functional vehicle for the story, but it made me put on the brakes after gearing up last issue.

CP: I don’t dislike Camagni’s art as a whole, though there are definitely some inconsistencies. While I like Carol’s magic costume as a whole (aside from those shoes obviously borrowed from Supergirl’s New 52 get up), I just didn’t feel like the explanation for why she needed a costume change was enough to warrant it, let alone yet another teaser cover that has no fruition in the comic contents.

CE: We’ve had quite a few of those covers. The pretext for Carol’s costume change is that she needs to make sure she doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb at The Bar With No Doors. Somehow going from one costume to another helps her pull this off. Where did this vaguely wizard-like outfit with a Captain Marvel logo come from? Is it just here so it could be used on yet another misleading cover? This doesn’t seem to be something encompassed by “the rule of cool.” Carol could have simply donned any sort of cloak over her outfit or worn street clothes.Thompson just seems to enjoy costuming Carol in something new for an arc just for fun.

CP: At this point I need a whole sub plot about Carol’s personal Edna Mode who designs costumes on a whim for her. As you said, her original outfit doesn’t seem any more outlandish than the glimpse of outfits in the bar. And maybe it’s because I’m struggling with this whole infatuation with Dr. Strange all of the sudden on Carol’s part, but I just don’t like the vibe that she grabs a whole new get up just because he says she needs to do it to fit in. That doesn’t read Carol Danvers to me at all.

CE: It’s not a believable choice any way you spin it. Aside from some inconsistencies in costumes from panel to panel that the cosplayer in me can’t help but notice, the artistic choices I’m not a fan of can’t only be laid at Camagni’s feet. The costume change, the wandering eye meme in the background, they’re distractions that are meant to be fun but stick out like a sore thumb.

PTSD

CE: We’ve had our fill of complaints about a lack of emotional depth to Carol throughout this run. She’s never met a problem she couldn’t punch her way out of. However we get a glimpse into how recent trauma affects Carol in this issue. She wasn’t able to save the future and brought a threat back to the past with her. Her nightmares and difficulty sleeping are classic PTSD symptoms.

CP: Yes, I’ve never even faced violent deaths of one’s I love and I get PTSD dreams. This opening felt very real to me. For a moment, I did really think we were flashing forward to the event. And I do have to give Grundetjern color credits here because those reds and greens locked in the stress for me and did not make me think of Christmas even once. The skeletal remains of Barton and the team was jarring. And the ending being framed around her got at having let Ove escape hit the nail on the head.

CE: PTSD can present in a number of ways, and the fact that it’s mentioned in the issue at all makes it pretty clear that this is what Thompson was aiming to depict. Rather than avoiding potential triggers or processing through the events, Carol seems fixated on assuaging her guilt. I am grateful for Stephen being the voice of reason here, but I’m also resentful that this is coming from him. It’s becoming more and more clear that Stephen’s presence in this arc is to fill the need of “male love interest that can do magic.” When we asked ourselves, “Why Stephen?” last issue, this was the answer. How do you feel about these choices to explore Carol’s trauma, Cat?

CP: I’m intrigued and displeased. I too often fall into the trap of wanting to ACT to avoid feelings. Like yes, I will run marathons to avoid panic attacks. Hello, I would like to sign up for ALL THE THINGS to avoid feeling like a failure. So I get it. But I’m with you, Strange being the literal MAGIC fix here is a let down. Especially when we just had such a good start to hanging out with Jess again and then she bails!? I realize no one wants to watch Carol sit in a chair and talk to a doc for 26 pages, and there is the loose strand of magic being what helped Ove get away from her. But this only feels like it will end to a bigger, more terrible setback for Carol to deal with this with. Or just be tied up too nicely at the end of the arc.

Magic Moms

CE: Magic seems to leave Carol with more questions than answers. The Bar With No Doors has no answers. Stephen has the good sense to put out the “don’t indulge Carol” call to all of the magic users. I enjoyed that page of denials, even though Carol is still inexplicably wearing that costume for some reason. It’s probably because of the cape. Cape’s are cool. I’ll give her that.

CP: Yeah, I dig it. I’d definitely wear it myself! I was struck by the page of denials of other magic users all turning her down. Carol ISN’T one to take no for an answer. When she’s determined, she has no shame or pride too big to get in her way. Which leads her right up to knocking on Enchantress’ door!? What was your reaction to that, Christi?

CE: The fact that Carol is so determined to defeat Ove herself that instead of recruiting magic users to aid her in finding and defeating Ove she convinces herself that she has to learn magic and do it alone leaves me shaking my head. Carol has been one that has always been able to turn to her friends in times of need. This is perhaps that PTSD creeping up again. The fact that she ultimately turns to the woman who will eventually birth the villain she wants to defeat? There’s a lot of layers there. This is dark for Carol.

CP: Wanda certainly called that one. And I think you’re right, it had to be the PTSD talking to her, because this just does not make sense! Amora told us herself how she was willing to stand by her son who murdered his dad and countless others because her love for him was that deep. And if Carol is willing to break up with Rhodey because of a kid he MIGHT have, what makes her think Amora would help her kill the very son she might have? It doesn’t add up and Carol is clearly in a bad place if that’s the road she’s willing to go down here.

CE: If Carol really wanted to prevent that future from happening, maybe sharing it with Amora prior to her birthing and having any attachment to this child is the way to go. Time travel in comics has always been a bit mind boggling, but I can’t imagine this interaction allowing that future to be actualized. This is definitely above Carol’s paygrade, as Strange put it.

CP: I am really hoping for one of those good old Thompson surprise turn around endings that delight me in this arc. I really worry how this is gonna go for my Captain and cant see it ending well without how much has been written about magic and powers don’t mesh well. But I am intrigued and ready to see what happens next, which I haven’t felt since the crossover event.

CE: I am at least excited to have Lopez back on art next issue of Carol Makes Bad Choices. I feel like I’ve gotten a little bitter and I’m not sure I share your optimism Cat. I need a nap. Or maybe just more strong shimbos? Probably both.