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Captain Marvel (2002) (Collected Editions)
Captain Marvel, Vol. 2: Coven
Karl Coven is a serial killer sentenced to die for his crimes, and Rick Jones the star witness in the prosecution's case. Claiming to be an alien not subject to our laws, Coven's argument is dismissed, but he gets the last laugh by promptly returning back to life immediately after his death sentence is executed. When a loophole in the legal system requires Coven to be set free, he comes to the attention of Captain Marvel, who's intrigued by the mysterious figure not only because of his apparent resurrection and immunity to Genis' Cosmic Awareness, but by the peculiarities of the judicial system that let the killer go free. Rather than annihilate Coven, he suggests that they become the law: Coven to be prosecution, and Marvel to be judge. Collects Captain Marvel (2002) #7-12.
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,567 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 7, 2025
The first two-part arc isn't that great. It mostly involves Thor, and honestly, he feels really out of character and just so over the top. My biggest issue, though, is the art; it's a real step down, especially when compared to the four-part arc that follows.
But if I can put the art aside, the story is actually pretty damn good. Captain Marvel makes some really big statements about vengeance, fairness, and the overall law system. It genuinely made me think if he's kind of right sometimes, even if he does come across as freaking insane most of the time. If it wasn't for the art, this would have been just as strong as the first volume. But yeah, this art is really not good. I'd give it a 3 or 3.5 out of five.
But if I can put the art aside, the story is actually pretty damn good. Captain Marvel makes some really big statements about vengeance, fairness, and the overall law system. It genuinely made me think if he's kind of right sometimes, even if he does come across as freaking insane most of the time. If it wasn't for the art, this would have been just as strong as the first volume. But yeah, this art is really not good. I'd give it a 3 or 3.5 out of five.
March 3, 2022
Also unusual but interesting. No so great on art, but still good.
January 16, 2015
Hmm. Well, a definite improvement over the first volume. Here we have Genis (Captain Marvel), still insane, except this time he's decided that he's a god, and about time he started acting as one. Peter David waxes on and on about what/who "god" is, that it gets to be a bit much at times. David, however, redeems himself on the last page, and reveals that Genis/CM is playing a long game here: with Rick Jones and with the people of the universe.
David makes some good points here, especially when Genis argues about godhood with Thor. The first two issues of this volume are kinda fluff, as Genis battles Thor and the citizens of Asgard. Then he strikes up a deal with alien bad guy Coven, who has a chip on his shoulder regarding Jones (and perhaps a bit of erotic attachment, as well). Genis decides that with his power and with his cosmic awareness, he, of all beings, is the perfect one to be judge, jury, and possibly executioner. By manipulating everyone around him, he sets himself up truly to be a god, and David makes that proposition just scary enough.
Although some of David's humor gets old, quick, overall the writing is good, and the philosophical discussions interesting. The art is ok, just a bit forgettable.
David makes some good points here, especially when Genis argues about godhood with Thor. The first two issues of this volume are kinda fluff, as Genis battles Thor and the citizens of Asgard. Then he strikes up a deal with alien bad guy Coven, who has a chip on his shoulder regarding Jones (and perhaps a bit of erotic attachment, as well). Genis decides that with his power and with his cosmic awareness, he, of all beings, is the perfect one to be judge, jury, and possibly executioner. By manipulating everyone around him, he sets himself up truly to be a god, and David makes that proposition just scary enough.
Although some of David's humor gets old, quick, overall the writing is good, and the philosophical discussions interesting. The art is ok, just a bit forgettable.
January 15, 2015
Biiiig improvement over the earlier David run. Still, some of the character change decisions in the reboot are head-scratchers, and the last issue had a genuine deus ex machina that felt like textbook lazy writing. All that said, still fun.
June 16, 2022
Sooo David squandered almost all the potential I saw in the first volume. Not sure what happened here, but this read like the journal scribbles of a semi-psychopathic teenager. Gros sadism just for the sake of it. I’ve heard about Rick Jones more than I’ve actually read of him but…yeah, he’s annoying. And Genis is just an unadulterated bastard sociopath, who then gives cosmic powers to another ruthless sociopath serial killer. Every now and then David will make a statement worth a second thought, only to be followed by random violence or a juvenile joke of some sort. This series just doesn’t seem to have a point, but to be an unnerving buddy-omnipotent psycho duo. I paid for volumes 3 and 4 so I feel obligated to finish, but Mr. David, please redeem this on some level.
February 5, 2012
Author Peter David completely trashes a great character. He's made Genis Mar-Vell so completely repugnant I understand now why he was killed off not long after this series ended. David's made Captain Marvel a totally unlikable mass murderer, just to crack a few jokes about the whole situation. It's stunning that the Marvel editors allowed this to make print. It's disgusting.
Perhaps this series redeems itself in the following 2 volumes, but I'm not holding my breath for it.
Perhaps this series redeems itself in the following 2 volumes, but I'm not holding my breath for it.
August 19, 2015
I find this version if Captain Marvel more interesting than the one in the last trade, but this still isn't working for me. The plotting is still a little loose, and it seems like Peter David is more interested in making certain points than he is in telling a story. Marvel is his mouthpiece and it's a little too obvious. That being said, there are some interesting points being made, but Marvel is a very hard character to like and the entire book is still a little too talky.
September 4, 2015
(This review covers Vol. 1 through Vol. 4.)
What happens when someone gets omniscience and can't handle it? This series explores that idea in a very original way. Peter David's typically excellent dialogue and unexpected plot twists make this a great read. (It starts to weaken towards the end of his run, but it's still good even then.)
What happens when someone gets omniscience and can't handle it? This series explores that idea in a very original way. Peter David's typically excellent dialogue and unexpected plot twists make this a great read. (It starts to weaken towards the end of his run, but it's still good even then.)
May 5, 2014
So underrated was this series, David should get more praising of this one.
There is something so logical in Captain Marvel's madness and that makes it so cold.
Greats stuff.
There is something so logical in Captain Marvel's madness and that makes it so cold.
Greats stuff.
June 17, 2023
Marvel believe he is a god and goes to Asgaard. He joins with a serial killer to decide who lives and dies. The insanity goes on
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews