Digital Library Reads | Captain Marvel

Before Captain Marvel presented herself in the big screen as portrayed by Brie Larson in the 2019 film she was first introduced six year before through a new series by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy’s debut as its newest artist that was discovered by CB Cebulski on social media. At that time everything was new and refreshing that Carol Danvers is taking the mantle of what would be a plethora of stories to come that would also launch a new artist’s career. 2012 was like yesterday but that was almost eight years ago and Captain Marvel is still soaring from what could be a genesis that began with DeConnick and Soy’s collaboration with its first six issues collected into a trade paperback titled “Pursuit of Flight.” These days Dexter Soy is the regular writer for DC Comics’ Batman and the Outsiders while Kelly Sue DeConnick recent work was the regular writer for Aquaman where she started in issue #43 back in 2018. But both creative artists re-branded Captain Marvel to what everyone has known today. If that wasn’t enough to take the pursuit of flight a reality some elements of the book made it to the films. “Pursuit of Flight” may be a little dated but this is where it all began. Carol Danvers takes centered stage and owning the mantle was a game changer eight years ago rebranding the character and bringing forward what she meant to be.

Published: 12 December 2012
Age Rating: Teen
Language: English

This similar concept was adapted to other characters like X-Men’s Psylocke aka Betsy Braddock has ceded that identity to Kwannon and taking the mantle of her brother, Brian Braddock and becoming Captain Britain. For those who got caught up with the Captain Marvel film or just started collecting the Marvel Legends action figure based from the movie should read the genesis of Carol Danvers for those who doesn’t need to catch up and read the current floppies this book is where it all began and not just the reference to the character.

The synopsis below with give you a little bit of perspective of the compiled trade paperback if you want to start reading about Carol Danvers’ journey…

The "Mightiest" of Earth's Mightiest Heroes is back! Ace Pilot. Legendary Avenger. One hundred percent pure bad-^&*. Carol Danvers has a new name, a new mission - and all the power she needs to make her own life a living hell. As the new Captain Marvel, Carol is forging a new future for herself, but finds she can't walk away from a challenge from her past! It's a firefight in the sky as the Banshee Squadron debut - but who are the Prowlers, and where has Carol seen them before? And how does secret NASA training program Mercury 13 fit in? Witness Captain Marvel in blazing battlefield action that just may change the course of history! Avengers Time Travel Protocols: engage! Collecting CAPTAIN MARVEL (2012) #1-6.

If you heard about Dexter Soy chances are you’ve seen his work who started sharing his artworks on social media, where CB Cebulski discovered him and collaborated with Kelly Sue DeConnick on Captain Marvel eight years ago. This is where he started work with Marvel before moving to DC Comics as the artist for Red Hood and the Outlaws and currently with Batman and the Outsiders.

But back then Dexter’s artwork has its own genesis that evolved into this impressive talent that you see in the current pages of his current work with DC. His visual artwork since he was used to do pin ups was little bit having influence from manga arts as you can see the rough edges in the pages of Captain Marvel. In the “Pursuit of Flight” you’ll find Carol’s hesitation of taking the mantle from his former mentor Mar-Vell, the OG Captain Marvel from the 1980s. Then there’s time travel involved and meeting the Banshee Squadron a team of women from the US Army that Carol would eventually assist in defeating the mysterious Prowler.

The New Captain Marvel runs deep with its narrative thanks to Kelly Sue DeConnick who grew up as an army brat. She’s a daughter of a US Air Force officer and her upbringing growing up in a US base certainly aligns as a writer for Captain Marvel. There are 136 pages that include detailed profile of the characters including Carol Danvers origin from being exposed to the energy a Kree device called the "Psyche-Magnetron" that caused her genetic structure to meld with the original Captain Marvel's, effectively turning her into a human-Kree hybrid.

Overall a good read on Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy’s take on Captain Marvel that would eventually adapted and inspired the Marvel Studios’ live action film that’s portrayed by Brie Larson appearing on the same titled film and on Avengers: Endgame. This trade paperback is the a good companion to those doesn’t need to collect all the Captain Marvel stories, but a starting point to know the character and her journey in becoming the hero of today.





Libby App and Marion Library

This digital copy of Captain Marvel was borrowed through Marion Libraries using the Libby App, which is good for 21 days and it’s free of charge. All you need to do is download the app on your mobile phone and have your library card. The app has partnered with libraries and online reading sites all over the world. It is a digital library that lets you access ebooks, audio books, and magazines, all for the reasonable price of free. Sign in, link your library card, and go—it’s that simple.

“Captain Marvel: Pursuit of Flight” is a digital copy loaned at Marion Libraries through Libby App. Check your local comic shops and bookstores for its physical copy availability.