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Captain Marvel (2000) #0-6
Captain Marvel: First Contact
Captain Marvel is one of the Marvel's Universe's original celestial super-heroes. Captain Marvel was re-introduced to fans in the pages of the hit '99 series Avengers Forever, which became an instant classic.From the pages of the hit Avengers Forever comes an instant classic: Captain Marvel. Son of the legendary Mar-Vell, Genis continues the legacy left by his Kree-warrior father. There's a catch, though, since Genis shares a body with Rick Jones, longtime Avengers ally. Only one of them can exist on Earth at any given moment. Hijinks ensue
Rick is trying to figure out what his life holds for him. He's trying to work things out with his estranged wife, Marlo, and trying to understand what it means to be a hero.
Genis, on the other hand, is trying to acclimate to Earth, Rick, and a world full of dangers. Will this unlikely duo be able to get along long enough to save the world??
Collects:
- Captain Marvel (2000) #0-#6
Rick is trying to figure out what his life holds for him. He's trying to work things out with his estranged wife, Marlo, and trying to understand what it means to be a hero.
Genis, on the other hand, is trying to acclimate to Earth, Rick, and a world full of dangers. Will this unlikely duo be able to get along long enough to save the world??
Collects:
- Captain Marvel (2000) #0-#6
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
5 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
2,989 books1,364 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 15, 2016
Sidekick extraordinaire Rick Jones is saddled with Genis, the son of the deceased Captain Marvel, via Kree Nega-Bands. Complicating things is the fact that Genis cannot control his cosmic awareness.
So this is the first volume of Peter David's run on Captain Marvel. Cap and Rick Jones encounter The Hulk, Wendigo, Drax, Moondragon, the Microns, and the denizens of the Microverse.
I like how Peter David swapped the roles of Rick and Captain Marvel in this series, making Rick the mentor. The idea of Genis' cosmic awareness being on all the time further complicates things. This series has a lot of potential. However...
I'm not going to sugar coat this. Most of Peter David's attempts at humor don't really go over for me in this one. I found myself rolling my eyes on 9 out of 10 attempted jokes. Am I just being a curmudgeon? Possibly.
That being said, I enjoyed this book overall but I'm not dying to read the next volume in the series. Three out of five stars.
So this is the first volume of Peter David's run on Captain Marvel. Cap and Rick Jones encounter The Hulk, Wendigo, Drax, Moondragon, the Microns, and the denizens of the Microverse.
I like how Peter David swapped the roles of Rick and Captain Marvel in this series, making Rick the mentor. The idea of Genis' cosmic awareness being on all the time further complicates things. This series has a lot of potential. However...
I'm not going to sugar coat this. Most of Peter David's attempts at humor don't really go over for me in this one. I found myself rolling my eyes on 9 out of 10 attempted jokes. Am I just being a curmudgeon? Possibly.
That being said, I enjoyed this book overall but I'm not dying to read the next volume in the series. Three out of five stars.
May 27, 2025
Captain Marvel by Peter David is a delightful surprise!
Before diving into the book, I have to pay my respects to the legend himself. Over my years of reading comics, I've encountered a lot of Peter David's work. While not everything has been a hit for me, some instantly became all-time favorites. His runs on Hulk were often amazing, but his Spider-Man 2099 and especially X-Factor Investigations will always stick with me as classics. Thank you, Peter, for years filled with incredible comics. I'm genuinely excited to explore more of your bibliography. RIP Peter David.
Back to Captain Marvel, we find Rick Jones somehow fused with Genis, the son of the original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell. This creates a fantastic straight man/funny man combo. Their constant bickering while sharing one body, even as they team up against baddies, makes for a very entertaining good cop/bad cop dynamic.
We also have Marlo, Rick's wife, who is an absolute delight. She's quick to call out bullshit, and on top of that, she owns a comic book shop? That's double hot! When she goes off to film something, a terrible event unfolds, bringing Captain Marvel to the rescue and even getting the Hulk involved. It becomes incredibly messy but sets up an almost ghostly situation for her in the future, which promises to be a lot of fun.
What truly charms me about this series is its self-awareness and willingness to have fun. It frequently breaks the fourth wall, boasts a cast of genuinely entertaining characters, and features fantastic art that perfectly encapsulates the early 2000s comic aesthetic I loved. Plus, exciting plot threads involving Moondragon and Drax hint at even more cosmic adventures to come.
Overall, this is a great start to what I anticipate will be a very enjoyable series.
Before diving into the book, I have to pay my respects to the legend himself. Over my years of reading comics, I've encountered a lot of Peter David's work. While not everything has been a hit for me, some instantly became all-time favorites. His runs on Hulk were often amazing, but his Spider-Man 2099 and especially X-Factor Investigations will always stick with me as classics. Thank you, Peter, for years filled with incredible comics. I'm genuinely excited to explore more of your bibliography. RIP Peter David.
Back to Captain Marvel, we find Rick Jones somehow fused with Genis, the son of the original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell. This creates a fantastic straight man/funny man combo. Their constant bickering while sharing one body, even as they team up against baddies, makes for a very entertaining good cop/bad cop dynamic.
We also have Marlo, Rick's wife, who is an absolute delight. She's quick to call out bullshit, and on top of that, she owns a comic book shop? That's double hot! When she goes off to film something, a terrible event unfolds, bringing Captain Marvel to the rescue and even getting the Hulk involved. It becomes incredibly messy but sets up an almost ghostly situation for her in the future, which promises to be a lot of fun.
What truly charms me about this series is its self-awareness and willingness to have fun. It frequently breaks the fourth wall, boasts a cast of genuinely entertaining characters, and features fantastic art that perfectly encapsulates the early 2000s comic aesthetic I loved. Plus, exciting plot threads involving Moondragon and Drax hint at even more cosmic adventures to come.
Overall, this is a great start to what I anticipate will be a very enjoyable series.
February 24, 2015
Read this TPB a few years ago and just discovered it only collects a small portion of the full series of 36 issues, then continuing on for another 25 after being renumbered to 1 for a total of 60 regular issues and a Wizard #0.
I am a huge fan of AVENGERS FOREVER, a limited series where Genis-Vell plays a role. Always liked this son of Captain Marvel and am now reading the full series in traditional floppy books.
So this amended review will be for the entire 60-issue Peter David run of the series.
Have to say upfront, I hate what Marvel did with the character in THUNDERBOLTS. And, of course, it's Fabian Nicieza to blame. Always hated that writer.
I am a huge fan of AVENGERS FOREVER, a limited series where Genis-Vell plays a role. Always liked this son of Captain Marvel and am now reading the full series in traditional floppy books.
So this amended review will be for the entire 60-issue Peter David run of the series.
Have to say upfront, I hate what Marvel did with the character in THUNDERBOLTS. And, of course, it's Fabian Nicieza to blame. Always hated that writer.
August 18, 2020
This was hilarious!
May 26, 2025
I heard Peter David died so I decided to pick up this book in his honor tonight.
When you see Captain Marvel you may think of that bad movie, but this isn’t that Captain Marvel. This was likely during her Warbird phase.
No, it’s not Mar-vell, either: good job knowing the original.
Oh no, it’s not the one they renamed Shazam (and renamed again recently), this is still Marvel (the publishing company).
Oh no, not her either… pity what the editors did to Monica.
Genis-vell? Good job! That’s the one. You have an impressive knowledge of the Marvels. Oh no, I haven’t seen that movie either, I just meant… well, let’s just move on.
I’ve long heard good things about David’s run on this book, and when David is good, he’s one of my favorite pop reads. When he’s not he’s usually overdoing his particular forms of humor.
This book starts with some of that overdone Davidic humor which costs the telling and flow of his book. The book also lacks a drive.
David is bringing a lot of his Hulk friends to this book which I guess is fine. We still get some of the classic Mar-vell connections. There’s also a Micronauts sighting of all things. Maybe Marvel got the rights back in the late 90s?
I will say, the humor started landing by the end. Either he was getting the feel for his book or he’d rotted me down enough.
Either way, I knew Peter David’s health had long been failing: I was amazed the amount of writing he produced after his debilitating stroke.
I’ll miss your writing, sir. I pray the Lord’s grace for you.
When you see Captain Marvel you may think of that bad movie, but this isn’t that Captain Marvel. This was likely during her Warbird phase.
No, it’s not Mar-vell, either: good job knowing the original.
Oh no, it’s not the one they renamed Shazam (and renamed again recently), this is still Marvel (the publishing company).
Oh no, not her either… pity what the editors did to Monica.
Genis-vell? Good job! That’s the one. You have an impressive knowledge of the Marvels. Oh no, I haven’t seen that movie either, I just meant… well, let’s just move on.
I’ve long heard good things about David’s run on this book, and when David is good, he’s one of my favorite pop reads. When he’s not he’s usually overdoing his particular forms of humor.
This book starts with some of that overdone Davidic humor which costs the telling and flow of his book. The book also lacks a drive.
David is bringing a lot of his Hulk friends to this book which I guess is fine. We still get some of the classic Mar-vell connections. There’s also a Micronauts sighting of all things. Maybe Marvel got the rights back in the late 90s?
I will say, the humor started landing by the end. Either he was getting the feel for his book or he’d rotted me down enough.
Either way, I knew Peter David’s health had long been failing: I was amazed the amount of writing he produced after his debilitating stroke.
I’ll miss your writing, sir. I pray the Lord’s grace for you.
December 29, 2018
In 2000, Peter David wrote two different Captain Marvel runs. Both were cancelled after a couple of years. This TPB collects the first six issues of one of them, the one that spanned 35 issues. The rest was never collected as TPB, but you can find up to issue №25 on Marvel Unlimited, so that's what I read.
It is confusing, but I promise it is worth it.
Let's get out the bad first: I'm not a fan of the art. It's static and exaggerated, too cartoonish for my taste, but I can see how it works with the story.
To the point now. This run is about Genis Vell as Captain Marvel while he is bonded to Rick Jones. As an ongoing story, it has many of Marvel's usual plot twists and inconsequential end-of-the-world showdowns, with appearances from Supremor, the Roggs, Ronan, Drax and many other Marvel cosmics. I never felt that Rick or Marvel were in real danger, so there was only minimal tension. But it was an enjoyable run. It has plenty of humour, most of it hit or miss, and it has good emotional development. Rick Jones undergoes many changes and they reflect on his personality and his relationship with Marlo and Genis. Genis gains humanity and Marlo, agency. All of them learn from each other. And then there's Lorraine, and I was so sad for her cyclical fate.
This run also stands out from others in early 2000s in that it is really meta, makes jabs at the comic industry and tackles the treatment of women on the page as sex objects (very briefly though!) and criticises patriarchal social mores through the Kree. It is amazingly feminist for Marvel at the time, but be warned: huge chunks of it are still terribly offensive and sexist. It's a continuous contradiction.
I'm sad that the remaining ten issues are not available online, and I really want to read Peter David's other take on Captain Marvel.
ETA [29.12.18]: They have finally uploaded the remaining 10 issues to Marvel Unlimited. This is one of my favourite character arcs from Marvel. Peter David continued writing a very witty and meta comic with characters that are both silly and deep. I can't wait to read more of his stories. However, the best issue of the whole run doesn't have a single word (Quiet Miracles) and it's a Christmas story as classic as It's a Wonderful Life. Bonus: the run ends with a lesbian couple! Something I wasn't expecting from Marvel at that time in history.
It is confusing, but I promise it is worth it.
Let's get out the bad first: I'm not a fan of the art. It's static and exaggerated, too cartoonish for my taste, but I can see how it works with the story.
To the point now. This run is about Genis Vell as Captain Marvel while he is bonded to Rick Jones. As an ongoing story, it has many of Marvel's usual plot twists and inconsequential end-of-the-world showdowns, with appearances from Supremor, the Roggs, Ronan, Drax and many other Marvel cosmics. I never felt that Rick or Marvel were in real danger, so there was only minimal tension. But it was an enjoyable run. It has plenty of humour, most of it hit or miss, and it has good emotional development. Rick Jones undergoes many changes and they reflect on his personality and his relationship with Marlo and Genis. Genis gains humanity and Marlo, agency. All of them learn from each other. And then there's Lorraine, and I was so sad for her cyclical fate.
This run also stands out from others in early 2000s in that it is really meta, makes jabs at the comic industry and tackles the treatment of women on the page as sex objects (very briefly though!) and criticises patriarchal social mores through the Kree. It is amazingly feminist for Marvel at the time, but be warned: huge chunks of it are still terribly offensive and sexist. It's a continuous contradiction.
I'm sad that the remaining ten issues are not available online, and I really want to read Peter David's other take on Captain Marvel.
ETA [29.12.18]: They have finally uploaded the remaining 10 issues to Marvel Unlimited. This is one of my favourite character arcs from Marvel. Peter David continued writing a very witty and meta comic with characters that are both silly and deep. I can't wait to read more of his stories. However, the best issue of the whole run doesn't have a single word (Quiet Miracles) and it's a Christmas story as classic as It's a Wonderful Life. Bonus: the run ends with a lesbian couple! Something I wasn't expecting from Marvel at that time in history.
July 29, 2013
PAD's first run on Captain Marvel is one of the most underrated comic book runs out there. From an amazing supporting cast that all feel like main characters, to Genis and Rick, the book was really something. This could have been Marvel's Starman and in many ways it was. Also, gotta love ChrisCross on art.
July 21, 2025
En la televisión existe el concepto de spin-off. Aunque hay diferentes variantes, una de las mas populares es el tomar a algún personaje preexistente y darle su propia serie. Aunque en los cómics este concepto no es tan popular, también existe. Este volumen del Captain Marvel es un ejemplo.
Aunque Genis-Vell como personaje ya existía desde siete años antes de que se estrenara esta serie (y de hecho ya había estelarizado una que solo duró seis números) esta encarnación en particular es una continuación directa de lo que trabajó Kurt Busiek en "Avengers: Forever". En ella, Genis-Vell uno de nuestros protagonistas se "fusiona" con Rick Jones en un acontecimiento similar al que había sucedido muchos años antes entre el mismo Rick y el padre de Genis, Mar-Vell, el Captain Marvel original.
Desconozco las razones por las cuales esta serie regular se le entregó a Peter David y no a Kurt Busiek. Quizás el segundo ya tenía suficiente con lo que escribía en ese momento o tal vez es que PAD ya había trabajado extensivamente con Rick Jones en su legendario run al frente de Hulk pero después de leer este compilado creo que la decisión fue la adecuada.
Si algo sabe hacer PAD es darle una buena caracterización a los personajes. Como ya lo mencioné el desarrolló muy bien a Rick Jones durante el tiempo que escribió a Hulk y aquí continúa con ese camino, regresando a Marlo Chandler como personaje de soporte e incluso hay un cameo de Hulk. Otro detalle que disfruté mucho es que en apenas siete números tenemos acción desbordante, pasando de estar en Los Angeles a Canadá y luego al Microverso, con apariciones de una gran cantidad de personajes, desde Wendigo hasta Moondragon y Drax y terminando con algunos de los Micronautas (los que son propiedad de Marvel). Además de obvio el humor de PAD que a mi me encanta. En particular disfruté mucho una crítica ácida que hizo en el número seis al Youngblood de Rob Liefeld. Casi solté una carcajada.
Pero, ¿si lo disfruté tanto cual es la razón por la cual le puse cuatro estrellas? Por dos detalles. El primero es que como en esa época todavía no eran tan comunes los compilados no se siente un final final a los arcos. Por mi en general no hay problema ya que en realidad no estoy leyendo este compilado como tal sino que continuaré la serie hasta que termine (aunque si tengo este compilado en particular en físico). El segundo es que no estoy siendo completamente fan del arte, además de que el artista principal (ChrisCross) no está en los siete números y eso es algo que en general no me agrada. Pero son detalles menores.
Como dato curioso, al final del compilado (al igual que en los números #0 y 1 de los números sueltos) viene una pequeña recapitulación tanto de Rick Jones como de Genis-Vell para los que tuvieran interés en leer esto solo por el escritor y/o el artista pero que quizás no conocían mucho de los protagonistas antes del comienzo de la misma. Un detalle que me gustaría se repitiera en otros lados, ya que no todo el mundo es un experto en los personajes.
Aunque Genis-Vell como personaje ya existía desde siete años antes de que se estrenara esta serie (y de hecho ya había estelarizado una que solo duró seis números) esta encarnación en particular es una continuación directa de lo que trabajó Kurt Busiek en "Avengers: Forever". En ella, Genis-Vell uno de nuestros protagonistas se "fusiona" con Rick Jones en un acontecimiento similar al que había sucedido muchos años antes entre el mismo Rick y el padre de Genis, Mar-Vell, el Captain Marvel original.
Desconozco las razones por las cuales esta serie regular se le entregó a Peter David y no a Kurt Busiek. Quizás el segundo ya tenía suficiente con lo que escribía en ese momento o tal vez es que PAD ya había trabajado extensivamente con Rick Jones en su legendario run al frente de Hulk pero después de leer este compilado creo que la decisión fue la adecuada.
Si algo sabe hacer PAD es darle una buena caracterización a los personajes. Como ya lo mencioné el desarrolló muy bien a Rick Jones durante el tiempo que escribió a Hulk y aquí continúa con ese camino, regresando a Marlo Chandler como personaje de soporte e incluso hay un cameo de Hulk. Otro detalle que disfruté mucho es que en apenas siete números tenemos acción desbordante, pasando de estar en Los Angeles a Canadá y luego al Microverso, con apariciones de una gran cantidad de personajes, desde Wendigo hasta Moondragon y Drax y terminando con algunos de los Micronautas (los que son propiedad de Marvel). Además de obvio el humor de PAD que a mi me encanta. En particular disfruté mucho una crítica ácida que hizo en el número seis al Youngblood de Rob Liefeld. Casi solté una carcajada.
Pero, ¿si lo disfruté tanto cual es la razón por la cual le puse cuatro estrellas? Por dos detalles. El primero es que como en esa época todavía no eran tan comunes los compilados no se siente un final final a los arcos. Por mi en general no hay problema ya que en realidad no estoy leyendo este compilado como tal sino que continuaré la serie hasta que termine (aunque si tengo este compilado en particular en físico). El segundo es que no estoy siendo completamente fan del arte, además de que el artista principal (ChrisCross) no está en los siete números y eso es algo que en general no me agrada. Pero son detalles menores.
Como dato curioso, al final del compilado (al igual que en los números #0 y 1 de los números sueltos) viene una pequeña recapitulación tanto de Rick Jones como de Genis-Vell para los que tuvieran interés en leer esto solo por el escritor y/o el artista pero que quizás no conocían mucho de los protagonistas antes del comienzo de la misma. Un detalle que me gustaría se repitiera en otros lados, ya que no todo el mundo es un experto en los personajes.
February 28, 2017
Finished and loved all 25 issues of this. Gutted that the conclusion isn't on Marvel Unlimited so for now I don't get to know how it all ends. Downside to reading a comic so old you can't buy the conclusion I guess. :(
April 25, 2018
A fun, quick read. Nothing new, but it has personality.
May 25, 2020
this series is pretty fun, i gotta say, i like it
September 28, 2021
A pretty fun book that's profile is boosted by its weird place in the history of Marvel publishing lore (Google it, trust me it's fun). Worth it for fans of Marvel cosmic or people who like fun.
August 19, 2015
Man, this read much better when I read it originally. It's not in any way a bad comic and one could certainly do worse. If one is a particular fan of these characters, I'm sure it would be more enjoyable than I found it. Unfortunately, I've never been a huge fan of any of these characters, and while the plots here do little to interest me. The dialogue isn't bad, but it's also nothing particularly special. Perhaps I've just read too many Peter David scripted comics, but it sounds so much like his Hulk run (and again, that's likely because it stars characters from that run). I'm not here to slam he book, but it just didn't do much for me.
March 27, 2018
Since I haven't read any previous Captain Marvel series I'm slightly confused as to what is happening here, but not to the point where it's difficult to understand the main story.
I'm also extremely sleep deprived so that may be warping my perception of the writing, but as of right now I found it fairly entertaining to read. The events going on are definitely messy but not in a way so stressful that I'm deterred from wanting to try and finish the series.
I'm also extremely sleep deprived so that may be warping my perception of the writing, but as of right now I found it fairly entertaining to read. The events going on are definitely messy but not in a way so stressful that I'm deterred from wanting to try and finish the series.
February 5, 2014
I had totally forgotten how good this was.
So funny, so weird and so good art filled with great facial expressions.
Of this one, I can say: A comic that should've been more of a hit. Now it is the one that got away.
So funny, so weird and so good art filled with great facial expressions.
Of this one, I can say: A comic that should've been more of a hit. Now it is the one that got away.
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August 10, 2011Nice take of Peter David on Captain Marvel!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews