Welcome to the review of the latest Captain Marvel issue, Captain Marvel #48 by Kelly Thompson. Captain Marvel is one of the most powerful and intricate superheroes in the Marvel universe, so let’s see what this latest issue has in store for us. The way our review scale works is based on our interpretation of the story, artwork, and Cover Options of the issue. Please beware with most reviews there is the possibility of spoiler alerts, so if you don’t want anything spoiled wait until after you’ve read to check out our review!

REVENGE OF THE BROOD, PART SIX 

The Brood finally have what they want: Captain Marvel in their clutches! The last time Carol Danvers was tortured by the Brood, they unleashed a whole new spectrum of powers within her. Just what are they trying to unlock this time?! A can’t-miss issue for Captain Marvel and X-Men fans alike!

How Are We Feeling After This Issue?

This issue picks up in the “Revenge of the Brood” Arc, which if I must say has been fantastic throughout. Broods kidnap Binary and Rogue and when Rogue sends a distress signal to Captain Marvel she answers the call of duty. Captain Marvel and friends have been battling the Brood’s ever since, the Brood’s goal create more Broods with more powerful super powers. Enter in Captain Marvel.

This issue felt to be the most important yet, as Captain Marvel is trapped we can see in her mind as she is hooked up to the Brood’s machine as they try to break her mind to meld her and unleash her “true” powers. The most fun panels were definitely the ones with the insight into Captain Marvel’s mind and the penultimate cliffhanger leaves us in a good spot for Issue #49, the conclusion of this arc. It’s sad to see Kelly’s run of Captain Marvel come to a close but these past 48 issues have been a treat and definitely a great volume and run for the hero.

Cover Options

This issue has underwhelming Cover options, which is unfortunate for a solid Brood Arc. Let’s start with the Main Cover option, it’s what you would expect it to be, thematically the Main Covers for this arc have been very consistent with fighting Broods and changing up the style each issue. I will give the nod to the connecting X-Men #21 cover as well, connecting covers are always a good way to get collectors to buy two copies. This is nice because it’s a different story vs. the same story but just the connecting cover. The Main Cover for Captain Marvel is my take home issue this go around.

Cover B or the Casagrande Stormbreakers Variant Cover we see Captain Marvel flying behind Groot’s back as it appears there are fireflies in a tree. This cover is just in time for the Guardian’s of the Galaxy #1 this week and also for the upcoming movie next month. If you are a Groot or Guardian’s fan this one is probably for you.

The Cover C is the D’Urso Variant. Here we have Captain Marvel, Photon, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk and Spider-Woman hanging out as they are trying to get a stuffed animal out of a machine. I might be missing the corrlation of this cover, but it feels very out of place for the arc and just anything in general. This feels like a kid friendly cover with some of the Marvels and their friends. If I were going for a stuffed animal I would personally go for the Goose, or Loki.

Looking Ahead to the Next Issue

Captain Marvel #49

May 10th, 2023
GRIEF WILL BE HER DOWNFALL! Captain Marvel, Spider-Woman, Hazmat and the X-Men’s mission to find Rogue and rescue Binary has technically been successful, and yet our heroes now find themselves in a worse position than ever, trapped at the mercy of a legion of Brood and a rogue Brood Empress. The Brood has now pushed Carol Danvers to her limit not once, but twice. What it unlocked the first time helped make Carol the Captain Marvel she is today. What has it unlocked this time? And will anyone—including Carol—survive it?