The second issue of Captain Marvel is a pretty dramatic shift from the previous issue. This is a straight up time travel story that throws Carol into a World War II setting. That might seem a bit strange, but Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy make it work. This issue doesn't quite have the same heart and heft that the series started out with, but it's still a great comic book with a tight script and some gorgeous artwork. Captain Marvel is quickly becoming the Marvel title to watch. Or read, I guess. You know what I mean.
The use of time travel is an interesting choice, and once you get about half way through the issue you realize why it works for this story. Carol says it herself, when she notes why time travel is taking her out of her comfort zone, "You can't blast it, punch it, outrun it or throw it into space." This is not business as usual for Carol Danvers. This is a story that looks to grow the character and make her a different kind of hero. The dialogue is great, but the inner monologue is even better. The time we get to spend in Carol's head is worth the cover price alone.
The change in setting really suits Dexter Soy's art. Every page in this issue looks good, but it looks even better once we shift back in time. Once a group of female commandos burst on to the scene, you'll be sold. It looks absolutely awesome and it's the kind of thing that is really enhanced by Soy's dark, washy art style. If you didn't think he was a good fit for Captain America fighting Absorbing Man, then you might want to give his work a second chance here. It looks stunning.
This is a dark book, not in tone, but rather in style. Soy's art is heavy on shadows here. Blackness seeps into every page, covering the world and characters. It's a credit to the artist that after only two issues, it's hard to imagine anyone else drawing this series. I'll admit, I had originally been expecting a light and bright comic with Captain Marvel, but what we get is better. It looks better with Soy at the helm and all you naysayers need to suck it up and give this comic a look. I'm calling it; Dexter Soy is going to be a superstar.
If Captain Marvel continues on this path, DeConnick and Soy will have created one awesome new title for Marvel. It's engaging, fun, beautiful and different. This is not your typical superhero book, and that's exactly what makes it so great. It's nice to see a different kind of monthly title from Marvel. I have never been a Carol Danvers fan, but as long as Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy are handling her adventures, I'll be picking up every issue. Marvel needs to take more chances like this, because -- in the case of Captain Marvel, at least -- it has totally paid off.
Benjamin is a writer and storyteller. He owns many leather-bound books and his office smells of rich mahogany. Follow Benjamin on Twitter, or find him on IGN.
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