Issue #15 is out. What'd'ja think?
PAD
Posted by Peter David at October 17, 2003 01:05 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingI thought that this was the first issue in a while where you get the feeling something big is going on. Everyone's taking Captain Marvel seriously, but are helpless to stop him. Rick Jones is no longer a bothersome irritant to the Captain's actions. And that final splash page was nice, cracking into Genis's seemingly impenetrable shell of insanity. I only recently jumped onto the Captain Marvel bandwagon, so the shock value of seeing his mother there is lost on me though. And the lack of a consistent artist is getting bothersome. The new artist is fine, except when drawing humans - they come off as rather dark and odd I thought. A good issue otherwise.
Jeffrey bin Hardy Quah
Penang, Malaysia
I was just very happy to see the Farscape shout-out.
That and, you know, I liked the issue overall, but hte new artist... a bit unsure there. Dig that cover, though.
JLK
So the big space faring powers are finally getting their acts together and not before time either. The constant attempts at oneupmanship from the Kree and the Skrull made me laugh out loud.
So Rick has been modified by Genis so that he is less objectionable about Genis' current state of mind. That being said I doubt that Rick is dead, or at least not permanently anyway.
The ending was fantastic - with the spoilers that had popped up on the net earlier I thought we would be seeing Genis' sister but as it turns out it was Elysius someone I wasn't expecting.
As for the comments about the artists that are on the book, myself I don't mind the rotating artists on the book. So long as they are changing with each story arc as opposed to halfway through.
That being said - artistically in this issue Azaceta was not the star of the show it would have to be Chris Sotomayor. Rather than looking like digitally painted pencil art this issue seemed more like it had been digitally painted using photoshop.
Another top notch issue and I am curious as to where this is heading particularly after last issue where we are led to believe that Genis is going to change sooner or later.
And in your lettercolumn you mentioned The Bogie Man in response to my fellow scot Ralph Burns' letter. Have you seen the BBC television movie adaption starring Robbie Coltrane? It came out over hear about 96 if I remember correctly.
Andy T
I didn't get it yet, PAD, I'll go to the shop tomorrow, but please answer this: I wrote a letter about #14 using the Marvel.com email link. Is it of any use to anyone if I do something like that? Do these things even get read by anyone, or just chucked into the trash-bin? I wanna start getting proactive about regularly feedbacking the "smaller" Marvel books I like, to do my bit preventing cancellation of stuff like 'Crew'. What's the best way to do that?
I liked everything about the new issue because it starts the story I've been waiting to read: How will Marvel (not Captain Marvel, only Billy Batson will ever be considered Captain Marvel by me!) and his insanity finally be dealt with, and what sort of Marvel will we be left with as a result? I’m on the edge of my seat with this issue! I’m also sceptical that Marvel is actually surprised that his mom is alive. Wouldn’t his cosmic awareness have made him aware from her from the beginning? Or at least on the ship-ride over to confront him? (What is this bit about Marvel having a sister???) What ever the answers may be, I know I’m going to enjoy this!
Hey, I had to love it. You actually printed my letter.
Seriously, though, I thought it was an excellent issue. Turns out I was right to suspect something was amiss when Rick so easily acquiessed to Marv and became an interior decorator.
Once again, it looks like Marv is trying to work for the good, but has been corrupted by his absolute power. Should be interesting seeing how this leads away from Crazy Marv to the next stage of his life.
Who's the artist? Never seen the name before, but LOVE the work! It meshes very well with the digital painting effect.
But honestly, I've been awaiting this book for the appearance of the Kree, Skrull, and the rest of the Marvel alien races, and man did it deliver. I miss the Marvel comic wars, and it feels incredibly appropriate that insane Cap should be at the hub of the next one.
As a side note, I just bought Captain Marvel vol.1 #29 (you know, the old "Most Cosmic Superhero of All!" issue) at a sale, and when I got home, I rested the issue next to this new issue of Cap. Wow, have things come a long way in 30+ years. It's great to see that the legend lives on. And that Adams cover is gorgeous, sign him up for a monthly!
Mike Aronson
Stony Brook, NY
Gorgeous work from Adams on the cover.
Good set up issue to begin moving things toward some kind of ultimate conclusion, even if it felt that the last page appearance was a bit too telegraphed. I like that you're getting Lilandra's attitude right, too.
It's amazing to think that, had the book kept to its original numbering, this is issue 50. I still keep thinking of CM as a new book, so that says something about the freshness you've been able to maintain around the storylines at work here.
I have quite a few old issues of the Mar-vell Captain Marvel's various series and I never got the impression that his cosmic awarness was precognitive in nature. It always seemed like it was clairvoyance (the ability to know what is happening currently anywhere in the universe not what is going to happen). One possible explanation of this may be that Genis's cosmic awareness is bleeding over into alternate universes (as shows in the first issue of Genis's last series by Peter) and some of them might have time flowing at a different rate as has been established in Marvel's "Exiles" book. Stopping this "bleed over" to other realities and limiting Marv's cosmic awareness to the present of the "regular" Marvel Universe might go a long way towards restoring his sanity.
And I still think that the Magus had something to do with Marv going nuts. If I remember correctly, he's got a chunk of Marv's soul, he's from an alternate future, and he was laughing pretty hard when we last saw him.
Fantastic.
It's taken me four years to finally start buying Captain Marvel but I'm glad I did. I've been a big fan of yours after what you did with the Incredible Hulk. I never thought that comic could be well written; Hulk Smash gets old after 1 issue, but you kept it interesting issue after issue, the same as you have done with Captain Marvel.
I must say that I did sample issues 10-12 of CM due to the Maximum Securtiy cross-over, but I was sort of lost, so I didn't continue. However, due to a couple of great deals on E-Bay, I'm hooked and have now read all 50 issues in the last month.
I'm not sure I understand all the complaints about the insane CM. To me, change is what makes your stories interesting. Nothing is ever status quo in your univers.
Keep up the good work
Greg Fischer
In case you missed it, here is an article form Cinescpae about Captain Marvel, posted at Space.com, which trying to branch out in strange ways:
I have to admit that I was BLOWN AWAY by this storyline. The tongue in cheek way that Genis tells the Shiar/Krell/Skrull assembly that he murdered all the Badoon and had to kill the Kree because their yelling was giving him a headache--had me laughing out loud. I loved the ending...although I wish the Rick Jones' element had more exposure in this issue.
But PAD I have to say I read the letters page and was elated to see that my letter was posted. I cant wait to see the Marlo twist that you hinted at.
Keep up the great work.
Regards:
Warren S. Jones III
re: Letters page #15
I can officially report that in response to Glasgow being named the Scots City of "Go Nuts", Edinburgh has retaliated by raising the price of the national drink that is Irn-Bru. Such mockery of such a fine beverage can surely only escalate matters.
Oh, and issue #15 was good as well!
-Ralph Burns,
Glasgow,
Scotland
I was very impressed with the issue. I seems like you are going to resolve the insanity thing. I also think that Marv was faking when he saw his mother as he has stated over and over again that he knows everything. I really think that his mother showing up isn't going to faze him in the least and he has some sort of "lesson" for all of them to learn. Until Captain Marvel(the Shazam one) fights Captian Marvel ( the best one) Make mine Marvel.
Jason Wingert
P.O. Box 239
Edenwold, Saskatchewan
S0G 1K0
Dear Go-Nuts...
With this issue and the last (#14, probably my favorite issue of the post U-Decide Cap to date), it seems the "insanity" storyline is finally picking up some steam. This is welcome to me, as I haven't really enjoyed the new direction since the reboot. The last page with Marv's mom was a revelation, and I can't wait to see how it pans out.
However, I have to say something about the art. I hope Paul Azaceta was just pitching in to help you guys out of a tight deadline, because I found the faces and forms to be murky and muddy. That's a shame in a book where subtle nuances like facial expressions and body language are so important. Imagine being drawn to this issue on the newsstand by the crisp linework of Neal Adams, and opening up the issue to find such muddy figures and unclear storytelling. I'd imagine you'd be pretty disappointed. Also, I think that Sotomayor's colors work a lot better when the linework is open and easier to follow.
Harsh words aside (sorry, Paul), it's no secret that, artwise, this book has been kinda foundering since Chriscross left. I enjoyed Kyle Hotz, Michael Ryan and Paco Medina's turns on the book, but they all have work lined up elsewhere, I think. Too bad. Please try to find a regular artist to anchor to the book, and soon.
That having been said, I await Marlo's return, a regular artist, and the wrap-up to this storyline. Hopefully, Rick and Genis will come out wiser for it.
Happy 50th issue, CM, and thanks for listening, Peter.
Justin Harman
11202 2nd Lane SW Apt.M201
Seattle, WA 98146
I must confess, it's been very difficult for me to keep up with the recent issues of CAPTAIN MARVEL. The character of Genis is SUCH an insufferable bully, I keep hoping - PRAYING - that Odin, or Thanos, or even The frickin' Watcher will show up and give this smirking creep a cosmic-sized spanking. Don't get me wrong here. It's a daring move on the writer's part that's been bearing some truly wonderful creative fruit, but HOW LONG before SOMEONE gets REALLY tired of this guy's attitude problem?
Well, with Genis's mother putting in an appearence, maybe we're not far off from that 'cosmic-sized spanking' I mentioned...
Haven't read the issue yet, but Newsarama just posted some CM news on a new artist, Aaron Lopresti
An awesome issue, Peter; I always love cosmic tales, and seeing the space races of the Marvel U. get together and bicker is always fun. And it's good to see Lilandra treated as perhaps the most politically important figure in the universe.
I was wondering who the final ball-dropper was going to be when it came to bringing Marv back from the edge (should that even happen.) There's a long list of plot and character points from the previous series that could easily have come into play (and might yet, before we're done.) Besides Elysius (and I'm very glad, by the way, that her appearance last series wasn't forgotten), we still have Marlo and Heather, Steck'ee (who seemed to know it was going to happen), whatever the hell The Magus was up to, and the events of "Time Flies." (I have my suspicions that Rick Jones and his confrontation with his alternate selves is somehow connected to all of this.) Hell, there's even Cosmic Girl from way back in the beginning, depowered but faced with a super-sibling nobody else knows about.
And if we want to go way back, there's one other important element to remember: as of right now, "Avengers Forever" has already taken place from Rick's point of view, but for Marv it *hasn't happened yet* (note that Marv was "hauling the corpse of Eon" out of the galaxy when he was summoned, and he was already an Avenger at that point.) AF made it abundantly clear that the Rick and Marv of the story were from different time periods, and *something* weird happened when the time-transferrence took place between Drunk Marv and Cosmic Marv at the very end. Something as yet unexplained.
And, oh yes, one more important thing, one more person whose influence has not yet been felt ... Back in AF, Captain Marvel was in love with Songbird ...
"And, oh yes, one more important thing, one more person whose influence has not yet been felt ... Back in AF, Captain Marvel was in love with Songbird ... " - PFPP
Yep, didn't PAD touch on this during his "first" CM run? Genis shifting through time and what not?
OK, I'm gonna post this here but maybe I'll send it to the email address in the book just to make sure....
First off, let me say that the art team in this book was fantastic. I know it appears that is not a popular position but I really enjoyed the artwork and colors in this issue alot.
I also want to say that I enjoyed reading the political goings on between the Skrulls,Kree and Shiar. I don't know who the other races were but it makes me believe there should be more of this kind of thing in Marvel, considering they have such a rich cosmic-universe to play with.
To the issue plot specifically I love that Marv is getting some stuff thrown at him that he may be able to shrug off but at least he has to pay some attention to it. And I like that the person who showed up was at least enough to make him take notice.
I only jumped on at the new # 1 but 15 issues in, it's spectacular!
Oh and let's have some more Neal Adams covers!
Michael Norton
1218 Eastman
Pasadena Tx. 77506
Great issue, especially the breakdown of cocky-crazy-Marv at the end. And I'm not buying for a second that Rick Jones is being controlled by Marv, the leap from the window notwithstanding. Also, that Marlo is returning is a heap of good news, but "not in the way I expect?" Hmm. My first guess: she will end up molecularly bonded to Phyla, and switch places with her. So much to like in this issue, but my absolute favorite thing was the art, unlike many of my co-posters here, I see. I thought that the people really looked like people, and not like comic book drawings (good as those can be, such as the wonderful cover). PAD's on a roll.
REALLY good issue, PAD. My favorite part was: The Farscape reference! 'Get the Frell out of here'indeed! Thanks PAD! Its so great to have Farscape referenced.
And of course some very interesting developments in this issue. I hope Rick isn't dead...
Btw, did anybody catch the PAD reference in Hulk: Grey #1! It started with Bruce mentioning that he was grey when he first became the Hulk and then after that it went something like " I heard some theories....." and " ..But I digress...."
:)
What a week, PAD. What a week. :)
DF2506
" Btw, Hulk: Grey #1, imo, was really good. IF think Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale have another great book on their hands! "
Great episode...talk about a HUGE reveal. Awesome work as always...btw am re-reading the Psi-Man series...we need Chuck in the Marvel Universe !!
Possible spoilers:
I thought it was a great issue - I am enjoying the series a lot. I'm surprised Genis didn't see it coming, and I'm wondering what's up with Rick...
I was actually sort of expecting our former Captain Marvel to kill and replace the current insane one during the Introspection Issue (still a great issue too, btw).
Good series, Peter... I'm enjoying it a lot!
Really good issue. Captain Marvel is keeping me more than interested. Nice work as always, Mr. D.
And I loved the cover! At first I thought it was Brent Anderson or Tom Mandrake. Imagine my shock-- whoever this "Adams" guy is - he's got a bright future if he can develop his OWN style instead of emulating these guys.
Hey Peter,
How about if you put this in GO NUTS I'll send you MY autograph on a copy of Captain Marvel?
Well, issue #15 looked great and was a fun read. Seeing Rick take a leap out the window actually made me do a double take. It isn't very often that a writer is able to suprise me when it comes to comics but you seem to do it almost every month!
James Tichy
102 Spruce St.
Apt 1
Fountain, Mn
55935
_"And I loved the cover! At first I thought it was Brent Anderson or Tom Mandrake. Imagine my shock-- whoever this "Adams" guy is - he's got a bright future if he can develop his OWN style instead of emulating these guys._
_Posted by David Levin"_
I hope your kidding David!! Neal Adams is a VERY famous comic book legend that most artists in the field look up to or at least appreciate what he's accomplished in this and other creative fields.
Richard ;-)~
Dear Go Nuts,
Mr. David, you continue to impress me. The unexpected twists and turns makes me froth at the mouth from month to month. When DC's Hush was the rave and on everyone's "Must Read first" list, it was on mine as well, but it couldn't hold up to Captain Marvel and I still read CM first and foremost. Some thing s I absolutely loved about issue 15 was the conflict betwen the Kree and Skrulls. I had wondered when someone would point the finger at the Kree for Marvel's behavior and then you wrote it. Heh. I even loved the mere mention of Mar-Vell ( though truth be told I wish it was in a flashback and a splash page dedicated to Mar-Vell) and the Badoon mention was wicked. They never get enough exposure, then you killed em. Whoa! Finally the universal community is giving respect to Marvel, even if it is out of fear. Another thing I loved and was so shocked as well was that Marvel had been altering Rick's mind over time. That blew my mind. I didn't see that coming. Whoa #2 indeed. Another incident that tickled me pink was the Deja Vu moment. I picked up on it before he said it and then I thought it was so kewl that you tied it in from pervious issues. Yeah I'm a continuity freak, so sue me.
Question: Why do Titan's have the largest Ship?
I loved the return of Elysius. I have been waiting for this moment since Vol. 3. Could the sister of Genis be tied into how Elysius was returned to the living? I MUST KNOW!! Another stellar issue Mr. David. Kudos.
Scott Linting
Las Vegas, NV
e-mail:kreecapt@yahoo.com
Dear PAD,
I've been reading your work at marvel since you started on the Hulk way back when. I've tried to follow your work between the big two all these years and have really enjoyed the humor you put into your work.
With that all said...
I really enjoyed this issue. The Kree, Skrull, Shiar and other races gathered to discuss the problem of Capt Marvel. I loved the antics between the Kree & Skrulls. This story was defiantly one that I picked up a second copy after I read it to give to my friend this weekend.
I particularly loved the completion of the Skrull sentence... " his next word was going to be "rage".
I was just said the scene was not draw with is token item, sidearm.
I would really like to see some more cosmic level players in future issues. Thanos maybe?? I noticed in the issue that Marv stated "Hell, bring on Thanos if he's so inclined." and Thanos was put in bold print. Was that just four Emphasis of saying Thanos are a subtle hint.
Thanks for you time
Brian Kollig
Oakwood, Ohio
<
_Posted by David Levin"_
I hope your kidding David!! Neal Adams is a VERY famous comic book legend that most artists in the field look up to or at least appreciate what he's accomplished in this and other creative fields.
Richard ;-)~ >>
Okay, I just KNEW someone would come back with this! Lol. Where's that "tongue in cheek" icon when ya need one??
David
PAD
Overall I loved this issue. Alhough I liked the artist who did the last couple of issues alot better. Poor Rick,Hopefully he landed on a nice soft pillow of his groupies like the Rick from the past wanted too.
Richard Kirby
348 Dogwood Lane
Danville, VA 24540
PAD
Overall I loved this issue. Alhough I liked the artist who did the last couple of issues alot better. Poor Rick,Hopefully he landed on a nice soft pillow of his broupies like the Rick from the past wanted too.
Richard Kirby
348 Dogwood Lane
Danville, VA 24540
sorry about the double post but I noticed the typo too late.
Can somebody identify the races present at the council? Who were the ones that said frell? Were they from Farscape?
Dear Peter
Well I was waiting for Elysius to pop back up after she mysteriously appeared back in issue 32. Apparently Genis wasn't though. I'm wondering how this is going to affect him.
One question though, Why did the shiar delegate claim she was deceased in the begining of the issue? She seemed to have knowledge of the fact that Elysius was on her way. Or was it that she thought one of the other Titans were on their way and it just happened to be Elysius.
Great issue though, I've really been enjoying the series so far. And for all those clamoring for Genis to return to his senses... take your time and don't rush it.
You can't rush greatness. Any chance of a regular artist for the book yet? Not that I haven't enjoyed all the artists who have been by, its just nice to have a regular one. Well great issue to all involved. Keep it up. And Rick's not dead till we see a body.
Clay Olsen
Davis, California
A question popped into my head with that final image: If CM is cosmically aware, how is it possible that anything can surprise him? I guess you can know everything there is to know and still not be able to control how you feel about something. He may have known full well what was going to happen, but was unprepared to deal with it emotionally. Emotions are tricky little buggers.
PAD,
15 was another great issue!...I love seeing the space-faring races of the Marvel Universe used whenever possible. there are so many characters out there to play with....no other series is using them, and there are many who have been left "dangling" i.e. Arides. (hmm well, Thanos may start using them)...lol, would love for Rick to p.o. a room full of Strontians and then switch out for Genis to take some lumps...Was happily surprised to see Elysius, Genis' "dearly-departed" mother show up....should make things interesting....my only complaint is not enough Moondragon lately, but i read that she will be appearing in Thanos' book also?...