CAPTAIN MARVEL #25

By Tony Whitt     December 18, 2001

At the behest of the Supreme Intelligence, Jenis and the homicidal Una-Rogg go into the Negative Zone to retrieve a special type of radiation that will reverse Rick Jones' premature aging. But what would a trip to the Negative Zone be without a visit from Blastarr and his young but equally hirsute son, Burstarr? Meanwhile, Marlo discovers that her friend Lorraine is deadagainbecause Jackie Shorr has been accidentally released from the nuthouse, and Moondragon explores the wonders of human comedic cinema by watching videos on Marlo's couch.

Amazingly, Peter David manages to hold back a bit on his usual over-the-top humor this issue, and the result is a story that's slightly less talky and slightly more action-packed as Genis and the Blastarr family duke it out. The trademark David humor is still here, of course, and the few pop culture references that creep into this script are still pretty awfulRonan's parting shot at Una-Rogg is a particular groanerbut at least it all makes you groan in a nice way. Sadly, there's very little additional information about the Kree's latest evolutionary leap, so presumably David will address the implications of that plot strand in future issues. But the opening and closing scenes with Rick Jones, in which Rick troubles Heaven with his bootless cries and curses his fate, provide a nice counterpoint to the action and make the final outcome of the story even more poignant. David has a real talent for mixing the silly humor and the more serious stuff, and the balance this issue is even better than usual. I'll admit, though, I'm looking forward to his "Nuff Said" yuletide story, just to see what happens when both have to be communicated without words. It'll show just how reserved Peter David can really get.

Strangely enough, the artistic team of ChrisCross, Rodriguez, and Fridolfs show a bit of that same reserve this time themselves, making the senses-shattering battle between Genis and Blastarrand later, the surprising battle between two other unlikely adversariesslightly less senses-shattering than it could have been. The pacing is still as terrific as always, though, and despite the fact that the busy artwork can occasionally induce a headache, this is still one of the best-looking Marvel books out right now. It's really a pity these guys won't be working on the "Nuff Said" issuethose chores will be handled by Leonard Kirk and Robin Riggsas I'd love to see what this artwork looks like without the dialogue balloons that add a bit too much to an already busy page. We'll just have to see what Santa brings. Let's hope it's as good a stocking stuffer as this has been.

CAPTAIN MARVEL

Grade: A-

Issue: No. 25

Author(s): Peter David, ChrisCross, Anibal Rodriguez

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $2.50