Captain Marvel #27 // Review
Captain Marvel #27 is written by Kelly Thompson, drawn by David Lopez, colored by Tríona Farrell, and lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles. Captain Marvel #27 takes place immediately after the events of Captain Marvel #26, where Carol returned from the year 2052 and ended her relationship with Rhodey. Though Carol still loves him, after meeting his future daughter, she doesn’t want to keep him from the future she believes he’s meant to have.
Carol’s returned safely to her own time, and she saved many of her friends in the future. But after breaking up with Rhodey, she’s heartbroken. She’s feeling lower than she has in a long time. Her best friend Jessica Drew can’t stand to see Carol hiding in her apartment day after day, so she entices her with the promise of kicking some alien ass. And if she later forces her to go speed-dating in an attempt to forget her broken heart, well, that’s what best friends are for.
Thompson is great at writing stories that are both funny and full of heart. And Captain Marvel #27 is no exception. Thompson makes it clear that Carol is really struggling. She’s been through hell, and she’s fighting to not lose herself completely in her grief. There are some genuine, emotional moments in this issue.
However, Captain Marvel #27 isn’t entirely a sad story. There are also moments of hope and happiness. For example, Captain Marvel #27 features cameos of some fan favorites, including Monica Rambeau, Jennifer Takeda, and even Carol’s half-sister Lauri-Ell. I was overjoyed to see Thompson include these characters. They make for an entertaining ensemble cast, and it’s fun to see Carol get a little time with her squad that’s not a life-or-death situation.
Lopez’s art brings a fresh new look to Captain Marvel #27. Lopez gives each of the characters their own distinct looks and fashion. As a huge Lauri-Ell fan, not only was it wonderful to see her again, it was wonderful to see Lopez’s take on her. She looks equally amazing in her Accuser armor and a cocktail dress, and Lopez draws her as the absolute tank she is. In addition to Lopez’s art, Farrel’s colors in Captain Marvel #27 give the entire issue a soft feeling. This works perfectly with the more subdued mood Carol is in for the majority of the issue. Lopez and Farrel make an amazing art team.
Unlike the art, Cowles’ lettering in Captain Marvel #27 feels average. It’s not bad, but nothing particularly stands out. There’s a lot of text in this issue. The dialogue is great, but it is a lot, and in some panels, the speech bubbles and text boxes overlap with the characters in a way that’s distracting.
Despite serving as a bridge between story arcs, Captain Marvel #27 holds its own. An entertaining story, Captain Marvel #27 also explores Carol’s emotions as she heals from her experiences in the future and her breakup. Captain Marvel #27 is a pause to remember that despite being a half Kree superhero, Carol is still very human.
