CAPTAIN MARVEL: ASSAULT ON EDEN #1: Save the Children and Kick Borg Butt

Anthony Oliveira delights in a fantastic one-shot, proving once again that Marvel really needs to give him a Wiccan and Hulkling on going. Or a Young Avengers v3. Or, at this point, a Captain Marvel book.

“Freshly imported from Earth! The King Consort’s favorite! A warmed bean secretion called Coffee.” Oh, Billy Kaplan, why don’t you conjure your own coffee? Comic book timelines inform us that we are one year into the alliance and King and King Consort’s wedding anniversary and what a way to spend it.

Carol Danvers is written wonderfully and very much feels like a person first. She feels like Carol and not Captain Marvel, which is an important distinction. Just on the first page, her interaction with the little Kree/Skrull girl is adorable. Her insecurities are not on display, but they are not far away. It is very subtle and well-portrayed. Where will Carol go from here? It would be amazing to see more of this journal and her relationship with her mom explored. Speaking of exploring, Carol’s relationship with Teddy especially is chuck full of story potential.

The art has some awkward moments in terms of shaping of the characters but overall, it does a great job of showcasing the gravity of the situation. The colors play a good role, not just in powers, but in differentiating the locations and providing a different tone depending on the setting.

In terms of Billy and Teddy, we are once again reminded that Billy is far more powerful than he seems, especially when his loved ones are in danger, and that, ultimately, Teddy is his person. Suppose if anyone’s a little co-dependent here, it’s definitely Billy. But we love him anyway. Regardless each character gets a chance to shine and kick butt, while keeping the story focused on Carol without sidelining Wiccan and Hulkling. Also, someone, please let Teddy pick a new code name.

Oliveira once again shows he does his homework when it comes to understanding Billy and Teddy as individuals, as a couple, and as superheroes while giving us some nice reminders of their past.

Is the supreme intelligence functioning a little like the Borg? Is it just the Borg now? It looks very Borg-like and terrifying.  And although it’s not an exact Borg equivalent, it’s not that far off.

Sidenote: The alliance looks like an amazing and thriving place that really needs to be explored without it constantly getting invaded and attacked.

The Monica side story by Maria Frohlich was a sweet moment in the life of Monica Rambeau. It was about the feeling of home and how sometimes you need that comfort in an otherwise stressful life. It is well well-written and well-drawn mini story it is one of those moments where we catch a character at the end of the heroics, giving us a reminder that underneath the spandex is Monica, who is amazing and kind in her own right.