Review: THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL #3

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL #3
Written by Margaret Stohl
Art by Carlos Pacheco, Marguerite Sauvage, Rafael Fonteriz, Marcio Menyz, Clayton Cowles
Edited by Sarah Brunstad, Sana Amanat
Published by Marvel Comics
Release Date: September 19, 2018

Somehow, this book keeps getting better and better every issue. We are only on number three, but due to the weight and intensity of this incredible story it feels like so much more. Carol’s family secrets continue to unfold, though we are kept on the edge of our seats with only so much being revealed at a time. Yes, it’s titled “The Life of Captain Marvel” but Cap has very little to do with the theme of this story. It’s about family, history and roots. Who is Carol Danvers? Where does she come from? How did her early years shape the woman and hero we all know and love? Slowly, we are finding out.

While the first two issues carried a darker tone, this installment is the brightest so far. That doesn’t mean to suggest that this issue doesn’t harbor its share of angst, but things have started to ease up and let us off the hook a little bit. At least, in one aspect. The suspense is at an all time high, just when we think we’re close to figuring things out – a new twist appears among Carol’s family history that we didn’t expect in the slightest. Margaret Stohl is a master at genre crossing, offering us a mystery story hidden under all that delicious drama. Pacing is a strength here as well, giving us a little more at a time before reeling us in completely. This story is absolutely addicting.

As always, the art is unmatched in its creativity, grace and ethereal beauty. Some of the best artwork on the stands can be found here, both the linework and use of color are breathtaking. It almost seems like Captain Marvel’s famous colors – blue, red and yellow – are the most prominent whenever Carol is featured on the page. I can’t imagine that’s an accident. Having Marguerite Sauvage provide the art for flashback sequences is brilliant, considering her talent for misty and supernal imagery. There are simply not enough words to express how exquisite the art in this book is, you’ll have to check it out and see for yourself. Trust me, you need to see this.

With the trailer for the Captain Marvel movie having dropped this week, Carol’s popularity will no doubt skyrocket even higher. If you’re new to her story, now is a great time to get started with her in comic book form with this title especially. If you like action, suspense, character development, witty banter and gorgeous artwork then you have come to the right place. With a major plot twist like the one we get in this issue, we’ll be pressing our faces to the glass at our local comic book shops for the rest of the foreseeable future.

The Verdict: 9.0/10

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