1in14000605's Profile

I had this series on my pull list at the local brick and mortar and have to admit I was not overly impressed during the first reading. However, last night I had some free time and decided to give all five issues a second read through. To say my opinion has changed would be an understatement. Preliminarily, I find Carol Danvers to be one of Marvel's more compelling characters. She isn't your typical heroine in that her humanity not only comes through more than most but also her humanity isn't always likeable. Having said this, Stohl's "Life of Captain Marvel" does a lot to rehabilitate Carol's character but not by changing who she is but by exposing us to the events - and relationships - that made her who she is today. I can see how "The Life of Captain Marvel" would not appeal to those who prefer more traditional superhero tropes, but I personally loved the character exposition in this series. Well done, Ms. Stohl. As for the art, it was great. Its seems nowadays that unless you are one of the "Big Hitters" over at Marvel you get second-rate art. Whether Captain Marvel is considered a "big hitter" I don't know but the art for this series leads me to believe Marvel thinks highly of Ms. Danvers. Very enjoyable.

I don't mind Marvel's new emphasis on strong female characters (for example, I am loving the most recent Captain Marvel, Black Cat, Valkyrie, Jessica Jones and Star runs) but it just has not worked in this Cap run. It hasn't been nuanced, it is forced, and it has all the subtly of a Dan Brown novel. Also, as opposed to the female-led series mentioned above, Coates has attempted to strengthen his female characters in part by weakening Cap. Its a neat trick but unnecessary especially when dealing with a character as morally, ethically and internally strong as Cap/Steven Rogers.

Terrible conclusion to a pedestrian story (Scourge) with below average art. I first got involved in comics during Brubaker's Cap run so maybe I've been spoiled but Ta-Nehisi's run has been very very disappointing (though somewhat expected).

Hoping not to jinx, but this series is the best Cap since Brubaker. At minimum it is miles - if not light years - better than Ta-Nehisi Coates' run. Coates' almost made me give up on Cap ... almost. Also, I love that Kelly and Lanzing are using Bucky's and Steve's relationship so well while developing each character, individually. During Cap's last run Buck was so one-dimensional.