Carol Danvers Is Awake and In Trouble: Captain Marvel #16 – September 1969
Carol Danvers is awake and she's in trouble again. Did anyone think otherwise at this point?
We didn't see Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel #15 as she was still unconscious after being attacked by Iron Man (he was brainwashed by the Puppet Master) and Mar-Vell was in space. If you're wondering why there was no issue in July, then the likely answer is that the writer missed his deadline. This happened a lot during that time at Marvel. This issue also has a new writer Archie Goodwin, but don't get too attached as he's here for only one issue (he was a very important comic book writer and character creator for both Marvel and DC). Unfortunately despite he's impressive record, he can't do anything but continue the established plot line for Mar-Vell and Carol Danvers.
The issue starts with Mar-Vell being held prisoner by the worshipers of Tam-Bor, a Kree Idol, which he must destroy in order to save the galaxy. He manages to escape his jailors, but then Ronan the Accuser appears and attacks Mar-Vell. Mar-Vell tries to explain to Ronan that Tam-Bor is in fact a dangerous magnet, but just like his movie version, Ronan is not into logic. However, Mar-Vell throws away his helmet which has a self-destruct mechanism and destroys Tam-Bor. Mar-Vell himself is saved accidently by Ronan. That doesn't change the fact that Ronan wants to kill him.
At the exact same moment (because that's logical and probable) Carol Danvers miraculously wakes up from her comma and feels that she must save Captain Marvel. She still doesn't believe that he is a traitor, even though he did commit the crime that he is accused of.
Now you may look at this hospital gown and be outraged, it is way too sexy to be a hospital gown (it's not what she was wearing when she was attacked by Iron Man). But you need to remember that this issue came out in 1969, and it may have taken some liberties with the appearance of hospital gowns, but it is not too far away from the truth. Nurses' hospital gowns were tight and the hospital gowns of female patients were revealing (although I only found conclusive evidence for women in mental wards). It might be a simple combination of the two with the wrong color. Or I'm simply reading too much into this and the writer didn't check what she was wearing the last time she appeared in the comic and came up with some new outfit.
Two F.B.I agents arrive to investigate Danvers. As they walk into an elevator she walks out of the other one. Movies also sin with illogical recoveries from head injuries so I will cut the issue some slack on this topic.
When Carol steps outside she is ambushed by reporters. She is also confronted by the harsh reality of her actions. The public views Captain Marvel as a traitor and she defended him, so the public doesn't view her positively. She is even called a "security dame" instead of a security officer, and I think that at this point she deserves the insult. Especially since this dame is about to become a damsel in distress once more.
The F.B.I agents are running after her and the reporters are surrounding. Then suddenly a car appears. The driver tells her that he is her only chance of escaping. And guess who her unlikely saver is?
It is Colonel Yon-Rogg, Mar-Vell's ultimate enemy. He is probably kidnapping Carol to use her as bait, again. I lost count how many times she was used as bait. We don't know if she got into the car willingly, because he seemed to be grabbing her hand, so for the sake of this argument, I will assume that she is kidnapped and not tricked.
Mar-Vell is saved by the bell, well saved by the Supreme Intelligence that sent a Super-Sentry to stop Ronan. The Super-Sentry takes Mar-Vell to the hall of judgment to face trial by the Supreme Intelligence ("the most fantastic Kree minds from thousands of centuries… preserved forever as one collected will).
We find out that Mar-Vell was framed and Zarek, Ronan and Colonel Yon-Rogg are traitors who want to get rid of the Supreme-Intelligence and blame Mar-Vell for all of their actions. They try to destroy the Supreme Intelligence, but fail.
The Supreme Intelligence wants to destroy all of earth just to kill Yon-Rogg. Seems legit. As a reward Mar-Vell asks to kill Yon-Rogg himself and to spare earth. The Supreme Intelligence agrees to Mar-Vell's request. To honor him, the Supreme Intelligence gives him a makeover.
Does it look familiar? Yep, it is really similar to Ms. Marvel' first s superhero costume. Only it's a lot less revealing.
From some reason Mar-Vell says to the Supreme Intelligence "whatever my star-crossed destiny great one… I shall meet it… like a man of the Kree…" clearly referencing Shakespeare, or I just see references to Shakespeare everywhere. But Mar-Vell and Carol (now a prisoner of Yon-Rogg) are not such an impressive and timeless couple like Romeo and Juliet.
As Mar-Vell leaves the hall of judgment he feels the effect of the bomb the Ronan blew up and he is transported into the negative zone.
Carol is in trouble, again, and needs to be rescued, again. Not impressive at all. Also, it's another different writer that keeps Carol Danvers in the same damsel in distress loop.
Do you agree with me? Have anything to say about this or any other related issue? Let's discuss in the comments below or on my Facebook page.