Giant Size MS. MARVEL #1 (spoilers!)

[Van Plexico]

First, an idle thought: I wonder how many kids will buy this, thinking she's actually giant-sized in the story? From the cover, you can't exactly tell.

Anyway... beware spoilers below, as we discuss the superhero with the single most beautiful costume design in all of comics!


Okay:


The one new story in this book was really more of a setup for the ongoing series, and would have been more effective if it had come out prior to last month's mostly-Carol NEW AVENGERS issue that covered precisely the same ground. That being said, it was just fine. Love the art. Am very much intrigued by the jumping-off concept, that she wants to be as successful in this world as she was in the HoM world. That's really a very solid psychological starting point for revamping her, and it has me intrigued and excited about the possibilities to come.

There were some interesting and somewhat controversial (to me) choices for the four (!) reprint issues included. Much as I love Mar-Vell, the CAPTAIN MARVEL issue could just as well have been left out. Carol's barely in it, and the only significant part of that story is re-told in flashback in the next story. But I guess it needed to be there for completeness.

The first two MS. MARVEL issues were necessary, I guess, though they focus on an aspect of her character (Carol having headaches/amnesia/not knowing she was Ms. Marvel) that was quickly jettisoned from her storyline and has no bearing whatsoever today (unless they're going to do something with it).

The last story chosen seems significant only for the first appearance of her current costume (God bless Dave Cockrum). (And isn't it instructive to see how much the lines on it have changed? The scarf-thing used to be wide, and a good three or four inches above the bottom of her swimsuit, which was low. Now it's a tiny sash and dangles off her bare hips. Her bare hips. Her bare... err... yes, so you all now know how much I like Carol. Anyway. *ahem*
It's also too bad that this was a "to be continued" story. Ugh.

What might I have chosen instead? I guess we needed the origin story, but I wish Marvel could have gotten a current writer/artist team to update it, minus all the interminable Roy Thomas dialogue (though it's not Roy's fault-- that was how all comics were, back in the day) and shots of Carol cringing in the corner. I also might have included the Mar-Vell crossover issue (#19?) where her old costume gets destroyed. (And no, not for that reason! Shame on you.) It included Mar-Vell, Ronan (important for the upcoming LS), and a retelling of her origin, I think. Plus I think she and Marv share a kiss. Awwww.

There was no mention whatsoever of her alcoholism, something I was happy about. That page seems to have been turned. I thought Kurt B. handled that story pretty well, regardless of how much I hated it just from an "I love Carol Danvers" perspective, if you know what I mean. But I would just as soon see it discarded. We already have Iron Man ridiculed by the younger fan community as a lush, and I can live without seeing Carol turn up in the pages of TWISTED TOYFARE THEATRE, stumbling around and puking in trash cans.

And also no mention of the whole Marcus/betrayed by the Avengers/turned into Binary business. No need for it, as long as it won't play a part in the new storyline. And thank goodness, if it won't. It looks like the House of M thing will be the main impetus, and that's fine-- it's a fresh new start for her, discarding those old complications, and it's one that gives her a reason to try harder, rather than to be demoralized (as the alcoholism and betrayal storylines would seem to do).

So, all in all, a nice little new story, a gorgeous cover (except for the odd shading on her teeth making her look gap-toothed), and a dubious but defensible selection of supporting reprints. Not worth five bucks, especially since I already had most of the reprinted issues, but, hey, anything to support Ms. Marvel!

--VP

[captparamedic]

You know Van, taking in your comments about Ms Marvel and your earlier comments on the boobage of Spiderwoman, you might want to check out Power Girl too. I am sure she is big enough for you. They have done quite a bit with her recently in terms of background too.

James W. Hooper
"Captain Paramedic"

[Van Plexico]

Don't you worry, Cap'n. I saw the fan video of her.

As my friend Whitney says, "I'll bet when Power Girl flies, she makes a sound like when you blow over a Coke bottle." ;D

[captparamedic]

Actually the actress that played her was a bit less busty than the real Power Girl is. Now, they got her attitude down. When she was created, the artist kept drawing her bust line larger and larger each issue until it was noticed and she stayed at that size. Read the first 4 issues of JSA Classified. She knows she is busty and how people look at her, but she doesn't care. It also explains her costume choice. Those 4 issues of JSA Classified help to explain some of the things going on with her and Infinite Crisis.

James W. Hooper
"Captain Paramedic"

[Van Plexico]

I will check those out. I've always thought Power Girl had one of the best looks/costumes in comics, certainly within DC comics. (Favorites in terms of how they look would include Ms. Marvel, Iron Man, Hawkman, Moon Knight, Mar-Vell, and the Vision, and maybe the classic Scarlet Witch look.)

[The Night Phantom]

admin said:

First, an idle thought: I wonder how many kids will buy this, thinking she's actually giant-sized in the story?

Well, Van, she is giant-sized...in places.

Even if she were not, the title would not be anywhere so pruriently misleading as Giant-Size Man-Thing.

[Shiryu]

I have a feeling this topic needs some clean up, there's a lot of spamming...

[The Night Phantom]

Some might think my last reply could use some cleanup, too!