Review – Captain Marvel #20 (Marvel Comics)

Captain Marvel #20: A New Force To Be Reckoned With

Woah, are we getting Captain Marvel two weeks in a row? This is the break we needed in 2020. But seriously, Captain Marvel #20 is a perfectly timed issue. Especially considering how well it ties into the more significant events of the universe.

The last three issues of Captain Marvel have tied directly into the Empyre event occurring in Marvel. That being said, you don’t need to follow that significant arc if you don’t want to (though I am enjoying it). You will get some spoilers for that event, but at least you can still enjoy your normal dose of Carol Danvers.

Honestly, this issue has already made its way into my list of favorites from Carol’s series, though for various reasons. It just goes to show that there’s still so much left to Captain Marvel’s story.

Writing

Captain Marvel #20 was written by Kelly Thompson, and it shows. There’s so much going on within these pages, yet it all seems to fit perfectly together. Even when taking the larger event into account, it still feels…right.

The inclusion of several other heroes certainly didn’t hurt (see the cover). It made me want to see this team become a more permanent fixture. Realistically, that’s not going to happen. But a girl can dream.

This issue perfectly balances the humor with reality. Given that there’s a war going on, the latter probably isn’t all that surprising. Yet, there are still plenty of moments for beloved characters to shine here.

Though it’s the smaller moments that add a lot of depth to what is happening here. Moments between the characters that could easily be overlooked if not for how carefully written (and sweet) they are.

When it’s all put together, it makes for a brilliant issue. Some feel-good moments, some butt-kicking moments (naturally), some tension, and some laughs. It’s a recipe that Thompson has mastered and put to significant effect here.

Art

The artwork within Captain Marvel #20 is bold and brave – much like the character, it’s supporting. The new team looks fantastic in their new outfit, and the design of the latest character is excellent (and commented upon, a nice touch).

Cory Smith (pencils) and Adriano Di Benedetto (inks) worked together to bring this plot to life. Carol’s looking fierce, as is her crew. Their work allowed the big moments and the little moments to shine side by side, and it is precisely what this plot needed.

Meanwhile, Tamra Bonvillain provided those fantastic colors that she’s known so well for. Everything seems to pop off the pages, with certain elements grabbing the eyes more effectively than others. Most notably, the latest power source/weapon (again, take a peek at that cover).

VC’s Clayton Cowles provided the lettering for this issue, and there are some great moments thanks to his work. Most notably, there’s an iconic scene at the end that wouldn’t have had nearly the same level of impact without such a creative delivery.

Conclusion

Captain Marvel #20 carries forward so many different elements, all of which flawlessly work together to create something grand and exciting. This is by far one of the best tie-in arcs seen in quite some time, providing lots of fun and character development all at once.

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.