The Captain Stands Tall: Reviewing ‘Captain Marvel Vol 2: The Undone’

When presented with a cosmic foe too powerful for any one Marvel, the Marvel family rises to the occasion together.

It’s all been leading to this as Alyssa Wong, Jan Bazaldua, Ruairí Coleman, Bryan Valenza, Roberto Poggi, and Ariana Maher present the closing chapter for Carol Danvers’ latest series with Captain Marvel Vol 2: The Undone.

Captain Marvel, a hero carrying the company’s name, should feel like a grand hero. This series, much like the previous one, taps into that so well. Wong fully understands who this character is and what it should mean to have her tackling an issue. No matter the risk to herself, Carol is a hero through-and -hrough and throws herself into danger to protect others. There is a great swell of heroic power in this series that rings from page to page.

At the same time, the relationships are a key element. Those between Carol and her found Marvel family, but also her and Yuna. Despite them only knowing each other for these ten issues, their interactions and care feel so authentic and cathartic. Being connected in the way they have been — through the Nega Bands — and experiencing time trapped in the Negative Zone will forge bonds that are just as strong as Danvers herself.

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 frontline Marvel sidekick, 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.

Despite loving the whole thing, there is a feeling that the ending of the story was rushed.

Not in a way that made things feel bad or took away from the journey. It just sort of feels like Wong really wanted some more issues and had to condense things down to fit this spot. I, of course, have no idea if that is the case, but it has that sort of feeling.

Having Coleman and Bazaldua on art duties for this series was a solid move. Their styles are similar enough that even switching off issues, there isn’t that jarring feeling that can come with art shifts.

A smoother touch can be found in Coleman’s art style compared to the slightly rougher texture that naturally comes from Bazaldua. Paneling choices are solid and really help make the quiet and loud moments both land equally well. Coleman doesn’t miss with the emotional tones; character’s faces are so energetic and give away so much. Poggi’s inks blend well with Coleman’s creating a solid symbiotic situation.

There is a whimsical quality to it all, even with the overly serious nature of the story. Lives and the world are at stake, but we can still have fun as the heroes’ rally to beat down those who are doing evil things. It’s the duality that we love in a superhero comic, dire stakes but characters and moments that are fun to fill our days with.

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 — where the colors are allowed to unabashedly be their full bright powerful selves.

It gives the series that extra spark of energy.

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 smoothly 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 Vol 2: The Undone is now available from Marvel Comics.