Captain Marvel, Vol. 2: Falling Star

Captain Marvel (2019) (Collected Editions)

by Kelly Thompson, Carmen Carnero (Illustrations), Annapaola Martello (Illustrations)

Captain Marvel enlists in the War of the Realms! The Dark Elf King Malekith and his allies have conquered Earth. At least, they think they have - and they've divided the spoils accordingly, with the Enchantress raising an army of the dead and staking a claim on South America. But Earth isn't going down without a fight, as Captain Marvel leads Black Widow and Doctor Strange into the land of the dead for a melee of myth and magic that Carol Danvers will never forget! Then, when her Kree heritage is exposed to the world in dramatic fashion, Carol goes from beloved hero to public enemy number one overnight! And as a new hero steps into the limelight, Carol can't help but wonder...does the world even need Captain Marvel?

COLLECTING: CAPTAIN MARVEL 6-11

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2020

About the author

KELLY THOMPSON has a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design. Her love of comics and superheroes have compelled her since she first discovered them as a teenager. Currently living in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend and the two brilliant cats that run their lives, you can find Kelly all over the Internet where she is generally well liked, except where she's detested.

Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.

Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelievably this is the tenth season (series) of Captain Marvel, and finally we may have found a fitting series, Kelly Thompson's writing and Carmen Carnero's art is really working, especially when compare to the current weak Marvel comic book universe era. First a War of the Realms double-header:

Followed by 'Falling Star' in which it looks like Carol is losing it all, her powers, her status, her commission, just as a new super powered woman makes a stunning debut, saving Carol! With a great supporting cast including Hazmat (yaas!), and a story that ties into her past, this is more the Captain Marvel I've been looking for. 7 out of 12.

Yes, I am a Jennifer Takeda - Hazmat fan, so good to see her still around. :)

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, a decent War of the Realms tie-in. I think it works because it can stand on its own. Then Star comes along who looks like may become a major part of Captain Marvel's rogues gallery. I really like how Thompson continues to bring Carol's female superhero friends into the book and they actually feel like friends. I also like how Thompson has a firm grasp on Carol's complicated history and uses it to power new stories.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Marvel continues to be an entertaining series.

The first two issues deal with the War of Realms stuff. Though instead of being some big epic crossover, it's basically Dr. Strange and Captain Marvel switch bodies. In doing so, this brings up some really funny situations, and also allows the war of realms not to overstay its welcome. Then the 2nd half of this is Captain Marvel losing her powers for some reason and then a new hero showing up, Star, who can be the key to why this is all going wrong.

Overall, this is pretty entertaining. It mostly helps that Thompson clearly loves Carol and Co. and Decides to put them in interesting situations. Star is...unique. I think the twist on her works well enough, and makes the fights fantastic. I think the silly two parter in the start is fun and thankful it was only couple of issues. The actual art is pretty good though in the two parter at the start it could range from pretty awful at times. Also, the ending didn't do much for me.

Overall, not amazing, but good, solid, and fun. I give it a 3.5 but I'll bump it to a 4 because this is by far the best run of Captain Marvel in a long time.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, let’s get this out of the way: I really didn’t care for the two-part War of the Realms tie-in that kicks off this book, but that’s almost always the case with this kind of ‘event’ crossover, so colour me unsurprised. My main issue was that characterisation seemed to take a backseat to the comedic tone, making this two-parter almost seem like one of Marvel’s out-of-continuity books for younger readers. Moving on to the rest of the book...

Once Carmen Carnero returns to the art duties and we get back to the current Captain Marvel plot ‘proper’ Kelly Thompson really kicks things into overdrive and delivers an excellent four-part story that totally blew me away.

All the plot threads from book one are picked up and developed into an amazing conclusion that had my heart in my throat. Seriously, issues 10 and 11 (the last two collected in this volume) were some of the best comics I’ve read in quite some time. Action-packed, heart-rending, intelligently plotted, believably scripted and, for me anyway, genuinely jaw-dropping in places.

Thompson’s excellent story is brought to life beautifully by artist Carmen Carnero. Carnero’s composition and line work are truly excellent but her real strength lies in her storytelling chops and the ‘acting’ of her cast of characters; the facial expressions and body language Carnero renders are Oscar-worthy. I’m sad to hear she’s leaving Captain Marvel for pastures new but I’ll be eagerly following her career wherever she goes.

All-in-all, the creators should be proud of this four-parter and I’m really looking forward to seeing where Thompson goes with the next volume.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great volume from this series, and a good prelude to Star: Birth of a Dragon, which I read recently. Carol Danvers I feel is not an easy character to love, due to some of the things they did with her in the past comics and her general attitude around some characters. But Kelly Thompson makes her likeable and makes me feel sorry for her plight when I see it all from her perspective! If a writer can do that, then they've achieved their goal!

[Jaye Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huh this didn't actually suck like the first volume did.

The first two issues are a War of the Realms tie-in where Carol helps Doctor Strange and the Black Widow fight the Enchantress who is raising an army of the dead in South America.

For the rest of the issues we deal with Carol having her half kree status exposed to the media and suddenly everyone hates her because of it. The military is forcing her out and her powers are weakening too. She's basically losing everything and has no idea why. There's also a new hero in town called Star and an old foe is back and wants to work with Carol.

At first I was like ugh classic, she's losing her powers storyline. I'm still ugh about it but I liked how this turned out and the way the villain had full motive to do what they did. That feel when you should have gotten therapy but instead you try to kill Captain Marvel and half of NYC, smh.

It was super corny and actually cringe at times the way people suddenly hated her but then 5 seconds of her getting her ass beat in time's square and suddenly everyone is her number one fan again. The internet be like lol.

My favorite thing about this was Jessica and Carol's friendship. It was so good and I'm obsessed with them being besties. I feel bad but also I don't like Hazmat... at all. Her suit is ugly and I don't like her powers either. 💀

The first two issues with the war of the realms thing actually ate. I know I'm biased because Black Widow is my girl but it was so fun seeing her and Captain Marvel team up with Dr Strange. They get body swapped and it was amusing. I'm still chuckling at Carol and Strange arguing while Natasha is fighting a giant crocodile in the background. Pure comedy in that page.

I love this art too. So crisp. So colorful. I think I'll read the next volume tbh.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, it's an undercover mission for Carol as she, Black Widow, and Doctor Strange enter the War Of The Realms! Then, a new superheroine arrives on the scene with suspiciously similar powers to Carol. Is that why Carol's powers aren't feeling quite right? And what's Doctor Minn-Erva got to do with it?

War Of The Realms was an all-encompassing Marvel event, so of course Carol had to get in on the act. These two issues are fine, but there's definitely a feeling that they're just placeholders before we can get back to the main story Kelly Thompson is trying to tell. The body swap hijinks are fun and all, and Enchantress is a good villain, but it all wraps up a little quickly for my tastes. The real joy here is the interplay between the three main characters, which is where Thompson really shines. The art from guest artist Annapaola Martello feels a little fast and loose, unlike the last time I saw her over on Silk.

Falling Star itself is the main event however, with the mystery unravelling nicely over the four issues, and the ultimate conclusion a genuine shock for me since I didn't see it coming at all. Minn-Erva's face/heel/face/heel/myheadhurts turns are fun to watch, and Carol's steadfast independence and complete dedication to saving the world even when it's turned its back on her is quintessential Carol Danvers. Thompson gets this character in a way no one has since Kelly Sue DeConnick. Carmen Carnero's triumphant return can't be undersold either, because the artwork's gorgeous, and seeing Star and Carol face off in Times Square is astoundingly good.

Captain Marvel's latest series continues to be higher, further, faster, stronger than ever, even with the War Of The Realms trying to derail it along the way.

[Nadja · Rating 4 out of 5]

*read as single issues*
3.5* I really like Kelly Thompson‘s writing I think she strikes a great balance between dramatic, thoughtful and humorous moments. Captain Marvel is also portrayed well, she is not perfect and she makes mistakes but even when everything is staked against her she does not give up. The story was good as well, I liked the tie-ins for War of the Realms and Star was an intriguing villain with an interesting motivation. I also really liked the interior art although I was not always a fan of the covers.

The ending also has me very intrigued for what comes next.

[Emma Anais Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Thompson and I are vibing. Not me ordering the rest of the books right now….

[Lenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid follow up to volume one even though it's been a while since I've read it. The villain feels a little contrived and there are a few quick fixes to wrap everything up in the last volume, but overall it's pretty solid, and as usual Thompson has great dialogue between the "sisters" of the volume, Carol and Jessica Drew. I'm excited to catch up on the rest of the series.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this one was as good as Vol. 1, but it was still very good. This run continues to be a huge step up from the Stohl run. I think this is the first body-swapping plot that I didn't loath, and I like that Thompson acknowledges trauma for what it is.
It's a bit disjointed thanks to the tie-in aspect (thanks-but-no-thanks, Marvel). It's also a bit same-same for a Captain Marvel plot (which is acknowledged right in the book), but I think it's a good version of that plot.
Solid, overall.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most cringe-worthy story I've read for 2022 and it's January.

[Tris · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was way better than the first arc. didnt expect to love the war of the realms tie-in but it was really fun! idk if i'd ever seen nat and carol together? (which is a shame cause the two of them +jessica drew are the only avengers i try to keep up with)
anyway onto the real arc for this volume... i got spoiled about Star so that took away the surprise or whatever but it was fine. what bothered me is just how quick people turned their back on her, but i guess people are just like that? i mean this is new york, so.. at least the villain this time actually has motive
i'm loving this characterization of captain marvel and so glad it's getting more issues. Dont know how i feel about a new artist in the next volume i loved both art styles in this one but we'll see!

[Amélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5/5)

A pretty forgettable volume overall. Maybe I've just become jaded with all the constant soft-reboots after three volumes... although I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this arc might last longer than that. Maybe four volumes this time? Who knows.

And the thing is... there's not much of an arc, is there? A few things in common between stories, yes. But I don't see much of a real progression.

I don't know, I guess we'll see, maybe it'll become clearer in a few issues? I'm willing to give it a chance, if only because I've been reading Captain Marvel for so long, and even though it never got quite as good as the Kelly Sue DeConnick arc I started with, it had its moments.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continua a fase de Kelly Thompson na pretensa maior e mais poderosa heroína da Marvel! (ao menos é isso que a fase e a Marvel querem vender). Na primeira parte do encadernado temos um tie-in com o crossover A Guerra dos Reinos, em que Carol Danvers se une com Stephen Strange e Natasha Romanoff para combater a maga asgardiana Encantor. No processo, a Capitã Marvel acaba trocando de poderes com o Doutor Estranho e a confusão começa. Os desenhos aqui não são tão bons quanto os de Carmen Carnero na segunda parte do encadernado. Nele, Carol Danvers está sofrendo de uma estranha doença que tem como fundo a sua natureza meio-kree. Investigando ela vai até um experimento da Doutora Minerva, que implantou um dreno dos seus poderes que vão até a nova heroína do Universo Marvel que é a Estrela. A identidade de Estrela, que acaba chocando Carol, tem a ver com a saga avassaladora do primeiro encadernado. Estrela não parece um páreo fácil para Carol, que vai contar com a ajuda do Homem de Ferro, da Mulher-Aranha e de Radiação para dar conta do recado. Achei esse encadernado menos empolgante e interessante que o primeiro, mas ainda assim de boa qualidade.

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estoy wijdksndkddk!!!! Que gran volumen!!! Me ha encantado! Hasta he llorado!

Empecemos por el principio, gran comienzo, Carol con Natasha y con Strange.. LO QUE ME HE REÍDO, gran team-up. Feige im in your walls.

Luego la TRAICIÓN de la gente, malditos desgraciados, I hope you die jajajaja. Pero hablemos de Jess!?! ES LA MEJOR AMIGA EVER! Y encima me trae a Monica?!? A Jessica?!? A las dos Jen?!? Y a Echo?!? I was in love! Girls night for the win!

Tony apareciendo y ayudando a mi criatura nunca lo voy a superar, me da vida.

I’ve made peace that mcu Carol es la cosa más queer del mundo y tal vez en los cómics tmbn pero aquí la criatura anda enamoradisima de Rhodey y al comienzo lo respetaba pero ahora? Ay son dms tiernos 🫶🏻.

No esperaba que Minnerva apareciera pero.. nice! Ripley, I hope you die!

Carol salvando el día de la manera en que lo hizo?!?? Sigo llorando, de verdad la quiero demasiado 🥹🥹🥹, y la escena con la niña?!? ON THE FLOOR!.

Ay me ha gustado demasiado este número!, Kate Thompson, eres lo máximo!

Este review it’s all over the place pero de verdad he AMADOOO.

[Rylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot better than the first volume. It starts with a pretty humorous war of the realms tie in, it’s funny seeing Carol and Stephen try to work out being in each other’s bodies. The Star stuff is amazing probably the best part of the this volume, I really like Star she seems like an interesting character with a really cool design I’m interested to see where she goes. I also like how Thompson acknowledges a lot of Carol’s history and the stuff she went through. Like I said in the last volume Thompson really excels at writing the relationships with the female characters. I’m also happy Thompson brought back Hazmat I missed her a lot and I’m glad to see her getting some spotlight.

[Lucas Savio · Rating 5 out of 5]

inicialmente tem um tie-in de guerra dos reinos que é divertido mas não acrescenta muito a história principal, mas gostei muito mais da continuação que foi superior ao primeiro encadernado pois eu amo a interação meio A-Force das heroínas femininas da marvel principalmente com a mulher aranha e é um quadrinho super necessário sobre aceitação mas não duma forma clichê eu realmente gostei muito e estou ansioso para ver os próximos encadernados e a arte é estupendaaaaa de linda, sério.

[Emmanuel Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Thompson keeps knocking it out of the park with her take on Captain Marvel!

[Theo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay but felt like a rehash of several Captain Marvel plots. Carol even says so.

[Tom Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid read, I really like the friendship between Jessica Drew and Captain Marvel. The War of the Realms tie-in issues (#6-7) were particularly enjoyable.

[Izza · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars |

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Would have been 5, but the War of the Realms tie-ins didn’t do it for me. The main arc of this book though, takes the run to a new level of storytelling.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the story or the artwork of the first storyline in this collection. The Stephen Strange - Carol Danvers body swap storyline falls flat and doesn’t have enough humor, nuance or anything to make it feel fresh. The second half, the continuing storyline from the previous book, is better, but still not great. Carol has her power drained, yet again, and it really feels like too much. Having characters comment on how overdone this is, does not make it less overdone!! Some really good moments of self acceptance toward the end, and the artwork in the second half is much better, but none of it is enough to make this book really good.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange and Carol bickering while being body swapped was hilarious

[Jesús · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly Thompson is a great fit for Carol Danvers—a character that is often too stiff and flat for my taste. And even though Thompson occasionally errs on the side of making Carol a bit too emotionally transparent, it makes for a much more readable book overall.

The plot of this arc is one of the most familiar stories in superhero comics (a charismatic villain conspires to turn the public against the humble hero), but the dialogue and art are great on a moment-to-moment level. And even though the villain is dull and uninteresting, villains are rarely something that Thompson does well. The emphasis here is all on the hero, her actions, her ethics, and her relationships.

[Read in single issues]

[Katie Florida · Rating 4 out of 5]

*read issue by issue*
Put any character in the hands of Kelly Thompson and they will flourish. I especially enjoy how she writes female superheroes: they're strong but not infallible, have issues that they approach realistically, and have intelligence, humor, and wit. This run is great.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe I actually liked an event tie-in! Hallelujah Thompson - it’s a 2021 miracle!

Not only did I not care that I was dropped into the middle of a bigger story (suddenly I’m supposed to care about an Asgard-level threat in a Carol book - wait, maybe this is something worthy of her anyway), but Thompson found a way to take the Enchantress and give us a two-part problem Carol couldn’t punch her way out of. Her and Stephen Strange (and Natasha) in the...situation they suddenly were in was both funny, personal and weirdly appropriate to Thompson’s sense of style.

Then the Kree-tied depowering plot was interesting and fun - not because I enjoy Carol’s suffering, but because she didn’t mope or beat people or whatever - she worked the problem with her friends, and she kept pushing to get through it. Minerva and Tony and Jess, all good supports.

Thompson shows she *knows* Carol - not just by referencing her past history, but by making it clear that Carol acts consistently with how she’s always done - headstrong, action-first, from the heart, never putting others in danger who didn’t volunteer for it. It’s really rewarding as a reader.

Plus Thompson is just a talented writer. Moments aren’t dead-end tangents, they’re later payoffs that indicate someone’s paying attention and thinking ahead when plotting and choosing words. I *think* a little girl she saved in issue 1 shows back up during this showdown with Star to play a callback role - smart.

Plus a major role for tolerance and thinking-of-others heroism, woven into the story and not preachy.

Plus Hazmat is a gem and should never leave.

Hell, I’m even not put off by Amanda Conner’s covers in this series - it’s almost like Conner isn’t sexualising the cover woman, but respecting her even as she makes her ridiculously attractive. It’s not *quite* over yet, but maybe Conner is growing beyond her schlocky Harley Quinn as DD pin-up fetish?!?

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this collection involves (yet another) Freaky Friday swap, this one between Carol Danvers and Stephen Strange. I’d been previously unaware that Marvel has a character known as Enchantress (but I knew about the DC version); and it’s her spell that causes the swap, to sideline the heroes while she does her evil thing. Their powers remain in their bodies while their minds/personalities transfer. It’s a silly ol’ plot device, but I found Carol's and Dr. Strange's interactions and dialogue priceless. Natasha Romanoff is along for the ride, and her reactions to them are great, too. My favourite bit has nothing to do with the plot: Nat tangles with a crocodile in the background while Carol and Dr. Strange talk, then she interrupts them after she’s won the fight. Things of course get sorted out, and it’s on to another plot.
As far as I can recall, I’ve read only one other War of the Realms-related story—one involving Iron Man—and I didn’t think much of it. So I don’t know how much I may be missing. Anyway, picking up after War of the Realms—or perhaps this is sort of an intermission—there’s a story in which Carol’s life is turned upside down after her Kree connection is revealed. Then a new hero known as Star shows up and makes Carol look bad, etc., etc. IMO the best parts of the story were Carol’s interactions with Jessica Drew (they’re adorable, funny BFFs) and with Tony Stark. I wasn’t that impressed with the story otherwise and don’t have much interest in what happens next with Star or the person behind her powers.
I liked Carnero’s art more than Martello’s.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Marvel has been around in the Marvel Universe since way before I was born. With the recent movie, she was given a chance to enter more known pop culture and since then, I feel like no one has really been given the reigns to make her the popular character she should be. Possessing a power level that makes her able to go fist to fist with Hulk, as well as being able to singlehandedly take on Thanos, you'd think she would be one of the first people any of the huge teams would call on, but that also isn't so. Marvel... what are your long term goals for Captain Marvel?

Ok... rant over...

This Volume was pretty good. First part deals with Carol's part of the War of the Realms, including getting body-swapped by Enchantress with Doctor Strange. Overall, pretty funny and a nice binding of the two of them. Second, we have the unveiling of her Kree heritage to the world and a subsequent fight with new character Star, who was draining her powers with the help of Kree tech. When you add in the relationship with Rhodey, and the typical inner turmoil she has, you get a well rounded book. (Crazy, off the wall ending involving the Reality Stone... not sure why this came in on the last page...)

Overall, a good book. Go back and read previous Volumes. Carol Danvers is worth your time.