Avengers: The Enemy Within by Kelly Sue DeConnick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book wraps up the latest Captain Marvel series nicely with a crossover Avengers Assemble collecting the Enemy Within one shot comic, Avengers Assemble #16 and #17, and Captain Marvel #13, #14, and #17. All but the last issue are part of the crossover event, so I'll address the true Enemy Within story first.

As the book begins, Carol Danvers can't fly anymore without aggravating a condition that could destroy her mind. However, her problems go far beyond that as the enemy who caused this begins to come after her. The thing is, when you take on one Avenger, you take on them all.

It's a solid crossover story. At five issues long, it's not overstuffed with too much going on. It's packed with action from start to finish. The story works because here Carol is clearly the lead and all the other characters including heavy hitters like Captain America and Thor play supporting roles well. There's plenty of suspense and a powerful conclusion that shows Carol's heart, grit, and determination while also bringing the story of Carol's illness because in the previous volume of Captain Marvel to a satisfying conclusion.

Issue 17 is where the book falters. It was the last issue of this volume of Captain Marvel. Leaving aside the annoyance of Marvel relauching yet another title without even changing writers, this issue was yet another Captain Marvel story where the book brimmed with its own self-importance. Worse yet, it used a one dimensional cartoonish libertarian "objectivist" as a villain to launch an attack to reign on Captain Marvel's parade. Even though I'm not an objectivist, the story came off as straw man polemics. In world, after everything Carol Danvers went through in the first five issues in this book, it was like, "Oh please, give me a break."

However, even Issue 17 wasn't without its redemptive moments as the relationship between Carol and the little girl Kit saved the issue from its own self importance and politicization.

Overall, this was an enjoyable Captain Marvel book with a great crossover story which more than makes up for a lackluster Issue 17.



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