Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Warren Ellis
Art by David Lopez
SUMMARY:
This ultra-slim 96-page paperbck reprints Marvel Comics’ Captain Marvel # 12-15 from 2015. Now firmly established as Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers’ year-long Avengers deep space patrol encounters a dire predicament, as she returns to her disabled starship. Bloodthirsty pirates (known as the Haffensye) have forcibly abducted her sidekicks: alien friend Tic and Carol’s alien orange tabby, Chewie. Simultaneously pursuing the thugs and trying to make necessary repairs, Carol’s starship must breach a cosmic phenomenon ominously known as the “Endless Envelope,” if she has any chance of intercepting them.
Carol faces heated competition to retrieve a potentially evil cosmic mirror during the Black Vortex storyline. Evidently, this mirror allows those who view it to merge with their vastly powerful cosmic counterparts. The story’s conclusion specifies where this storyline continues on elsewhere. Carol at last returns home with Chewie, only to discover that a beloved friend on Earth sadly died of cancer the week before. Guest stars include fellow Avengers: best friend Jessica “Spider-Woman” Drew and Carol’s significant other, James “War Machine” Rhodes.
REVIEW:
Though Marvel Comics inexplicably doesn’t translate its classy Latin title, it means “She Flies With Her Own Wings.” It’s an apt description. Well-anchored by Lopez’s likable artwork, writers Kelly Sue DeConnick & Warren Ellis take readers on an intergalactic hot pursuit that vividly blends Star Wars-style action and humor. The writing duo also deserve kudos for the minimal techno-babble during Carol’s starship chase. Carol and her onboard A.I. computer’s ongoing banter is entertaining and easy to follow.
However, the same doesn’t apply to the baffling Black Vortex cross-over (which is actually the saga’s eleventh installment). Despite some cool moments (i.e. the cover image), this story is hard to grasp. A quick intro helps, as readers won’t be completely lost. However, it’s still a major cheat that the storyline abruptly cuts off, as readers must then separately seek out Legendary Star-Lord # 11. At a minimum, adding some before-and-after material re: Black Vortex would have been appreciated. The one-shot wrap-up poignantly completes Carol’s journey home. It’s really this book’s best asset.
There’s no question that writers DeConnick & Ellis have smartly updated Carol Danvers. She has wonderfully morphed from her reckless ex-alcoholic phase several years ago to a surprisingly relatable intergalactic crusader. Her new association with the Guardians of the Galaxy’s goofy style of sci-fi humor makes perfect sense here, including some terrific Star Wars in-jokes. Beyond naming her cat in honor of the galaxy’s most famous Wookie, there is Chewie’s amusing mistaken identity sub-plot involving moronic alien goons deeming him the “greatest weapon in the galaxy.”
More so, Carol’s starship (courtesy of Stark Enterprises) has its own Knight Rider-like personality that she has dubbed as ‘Harrison,’ presumably in homage of Han Solo’s alter ego. As one could expect, Carol’s wildly dangerous piloting is deliberately reminiscent of a brash Corellian smuggler from a galaxy far, far away.
Finally, one must consider this book’s inexplicable skimpiness. The lack of padding — any vintage bonus reprints from Carol’s early days (or maybe one of her pivotal Avengers appearances) — frankly undervalues her character. The other detriment pertains to those not readily familiar with this series. Clearly, Alis Volat Propriis is meant for those who have at least perused the two prior volumes.
Though Marvel offers some introductory material, not enough in-story references are made explaining who’s who and what’s what for those now just tuning in. Still, this classy book contains some terrific material and is definitely worth at least one read. Had there been more pages for the buck, Alis Volat Propiis would be a true keeper.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to the cover pages (among them is a stellar variant for issue # 14), there is a four-page, black & white showcase of David Lopez’s in-progress artwork for scenes from this book.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
