The Friends We Made Along The Way: Reviewing ‘Captain Marvel’ #7

Family as a concept is not defined by blood. It’s centered on those who love and care about one another. Be it friends, allies, siblings, or more.

It’s family, blood and found, which holds the key to saving Carol Danvers and Yuna Yang in Captain Marvel #7. A jam-packed, fist-flying, emotionally-charged issue from Alyssa Wong, Jan Bazaldua, Bryan Valenza, and Ariana Maher.

Gosh, this just gets better and better with each issue.

Crafting a story that stretches across more than a handful of issues is a tall order. Monthly installments can often leave readers feeling behind or disconnected. Especially if the revelations and developments feel stretched out or delayed just to reach a certain number of issues. A well-crafted long-form story flows smoothly and feels like no time is passing at all. That’s what we have with this series.

Artistically, we’re really cooking with the work that Bazaldua and Ruairí Coleman have done in switching off. It’s all back on Bazaldua for this issue, with an art style that rides the fine line between smooth and rough. Letting characters have details, depth, and actual firm presence on the page. While also creating developed backdrops that feel like actual tangible places. A whimsical fantasy fun energy runs through the whole thing, with enough sharp edges on the characters and space to fit the harder tone of parts of this story.

Valenza’s color choices play into all of this, bringing plenty of big vibrant superhero popping colors but plenty of more neutral or washed-out grounded shades. Overall, it’s pulled back in a way, not letting the vibrant colors feel over-the-top or unrealistic. Allowing everything to feel like it could be happening in the world outside our window, except of course it would not be. That being said, there are plenty of spaces, like the Negative Zone space, where the colors are allowed to unabashedly be their full bright powerful selves.

Giving the series that extra spark of energy.

So much happens here because Wong knows how to pace perfectly. Allowing us to learn more about what Undone wants, bring in Rick Jones, have a couple of brutal fist fights, sprinkle in tons of character development, deal with Yuna’s predicament, and bring all the players to date onto the board. Reading that sentence it probably seems like there would be too much happening, but Wong makes sure every moment has room to breathe. They are an expert at pulling the right strings to leave emotions raw and a craving for the next issue to hurry up and arrive.

Just getting to spend time with the Marvel family is a delight. So many of them are often forgotten in character limbo. Hell, Rick Jones went from a key front line Marvel sidekick character to hero in his own right to occasional sporadic guest star or cameo. I’d pick up a book about the whole Marvel clan, preferably written by Wong, any time.

Give me more of their organized yet chaotic family energy.

A lot of revelations happen here; therefore, a lot of words need to be used to catch up the audience. If we’re getting anyone to make sure lettering is spot on, Maher is always a perfect choice. One of the best letterers working, no arguments allowed. Able to organize any bit of lettering in the most logical friendly way that flows through the page smooth as butter. While also finding all the ways to make character’s voices unique in a visual way, pulling out all the tricks from different bubble styles to fonts to colors and other modifiers.

Not to mention, it’s just got a lot of poppy fun energy. Every emotional beat is sold by the character visuals but extra sold thanks to the voices Maher effortlessly creates.

Captain Marvel #7 is now available from Marvel Comics.