Monica Rambeau: Photon #1: Monica Might Shine Bright? But Does the Comic?

Being a superhero isn’t easy. And getting into comics isn’t either. So if you’re looking to pick up a #1 and dive right into an incredible adventure with this hero, Photon, then I’m sorry to say, keep looking.

The first issue finds Monica in many places, and it could be argued Monica herself is a little lost, and the writing is also a little lost as a result. It seems like Monica is a selfless hero out to help others and rarely takes care of herself. Monica describes herself as a battery and seems like she needs a recharge. What that recharge looks like remains to be seen. What led to this moment of burnout is primarily left to the imagination, but one thing is for sure: this is still Monica Rambeau, even if she needs a scenery change.

I think the highlight of this comic is when Monica is just allowed to be herself, and she interacts with the average human who knows her: the guy who gives her a breakfast sandwich or the old lady who only knows her as Captain Marvel. But the pacing in this issue is off. It wants to simultaneously establish Photon/Captain Marvel, Monica’s family, and three other things in one issue. Sadly, that leaves the reader feeling exhausted and without any emotional weight to understand, care about, or know what to grab onto. Will any of the interactions and elements set up in this issue carry over into the next? Her need for a recharge? Absolutely. But the rest of it? I’m not quite sure yet.

At times it felt a little like I was reading two different comics, one is about Photon, and one is about Monica. The only alleged antagonists and their message is rather lackluster. Been there, done that. We have seen this same thing play out a thousand times already. But it’s been done, and I hope to see Eve Ewing take it somewhere new. But that’s not to say the comic is without potential. It sets up several avenues Monica can take. Or it’s possible that Monica’s adventure will have nothing to do with the elements laid out as she tries to recharge and find a renewed sense of belonging and passion.