CAPTAIN MARVEL: DARK PAST #1 – New Memories

Creative Team – Paul Jenkins, Lucas Werneck, Rod Fernandes, VC’s Joe Caramagna

Published by Marvel Comics

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The Story

This comic is reviewed by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn, and your truly, Megan!

Shawn – Paul Jenkins crafted an interesting and exciting first entry with issue #1. I enjoyed seeing a vulnerable side of Carol right from the start. I really like the choice of villain for this issue as well. Jenkins has been known in comic circles for taking heroes with immense power and making them feel fragile, and that happens here. He leans into some of Carol’s previous issues right out of the gate to set the tone for the narrative. I loved that we got to see the everyday interactions between Carol and other members of the Marvel Universe.

It’s nice to get a grounded story amidst one of Marvel’s most powerful cosmic heroes. Jenkins does an amazing job giving us a glimpse into Carol’s inner monologue, which has been a signature of his comic writing career. It feels like Jenkins is giving readers a new wrinkle in Carol’s backstory, and I can’t wait to pull the thread on this and see where Jenkins is going to take it.

Megan – Carol Danvers has been through more than your average superhero. When Rogue drained her of her powers and memories, that was just one of many things Carol had to learn to figure out. Now that her powers and memories are back, things still aren’t right. Carol is having visions or memories of things she can’t comprehend, like parts of her life missing, or has yet to happen. It’s all very confusing to her, and she finds herself struggling. Determined to figure out what’s going on with these visions, Carol gets to work to investigate.

Paul Jenkins gives us a new, exciting story along with an excellent look at the past and the history of Carol Danvers. With the first issue, you’re immediately hooked into the story as it starts on a more mysterious note, and that mystery looms overhead as Carol tries to put the pieces together. I am very interested to see where this goes, and if the rest of the series is anything like the first issue, we are in for a fantastic time.

The Art

Shawn – Lucas Werneck and Rod Fernandes did an amazing job with art and color in this issue. The amazing work of Werneck and Fernandes amplifies the tone shifts that occur throughout the issue. There’s a great two-page setup in this issue that does amazing work with Carol’s signature and gives us a quick glimpse into her history at this point that is beautiful, creative, and unique. I love the little subtle details that Werneck and Fernandes work into the background of some of the panels. Each panel feels unique, and Werneck does a great job of capturing the emotion on the faces of all the characters in a way that doesn’t require word bubbles to understand. In addition to the emotion on the faces, some of the backgrounds are eerie and downright depressing in a way that helps sell the emotion of those panels.

Megan – There were some downright gorgeous panels in this issue, all thanks to Lucas Werneck and Rod Fernandes. Lucas Werneck gives us some really great looks into Carol’s past that are highly detailed and emotionally charged. Rod Fernandes ensures that each page has a huge array of vibrancy that perfectly sells the tone of the story. Together, we have a vivid look into the past and future of Carol Danvers that drips in nostalgia and excitement. Joe Caramagna pushes the story forward with his excellent work in lettering, giving us fantastic dialogue and sound effects that lets the reader feel the events of the story.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9/10 This was a solid opening issue. The story already shows the potential for a significant look into Carol’s psyche as she deals with recovering her memory. This feels both bright and gritty at the same time. I can’t wait to see where this story goes. I’m hooked from the first page.

Megan – 9/10. There was a lot to love about Captain Marvel: Dark Past #1, and I am very excited to see where Paul Jenkins takes us!

Overall Grade – 9/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Captain Marvel: Dark Past #1!