Review by Ian Keogh

The Captain Marvel stories aimed at younger readers by Sam Maggs and Sweeney Boo were previously issued in three paperbacks, Cosmic Cat-tastrophe and A.I.M. Small so slim they redefine the form of the graphic novel. If you really want them in normal size rather than this slightly larger than pocket size product, the third to look for is Ghost in the Machine.

Discounting the format, these are engaging stories appealingly drawn by Boo, although two chapters (of eleven) by Mario Del Pennino lack her imagination. Animal lovers will delight in the cute cats, or actually flerkins, supplied in the opening story, matched by a cute squirrel in the last, and it’s on the final material that Boo really shines by virtue of the environment in which Captain Marvel finds herself. Ironically, this would have been easier to draw as the figures are reduced to a blocky essence, but the novelty impresses.

So do the stories overall. If there’s a connecting theme it’s friendship, as despite being one of the planet’s most powerful superheroes (even if those powers are very vague), Maggs cleverly places Captain Marvel in situations requiring the help and knowledge of others. Spider-Woman, the Wasp, Ghost Spider and Squirrel Girl all bring specific talents enabling an ending to assorted strange situations, and the Guardians of the Galaxy also show up.

As this is aimed at younger readers complicated continuity is transmitted by narrative captions giving Carol’s ongoing thoughts about who she’s with and her current situation. While not subtle, it gets the job done, and Maggs applying a distinctive and chatty personality to the captions makes them integral to the storytelling rather than just disguising the intention. Along the way Captain Marvel is transported to another galaxy, is shrunk down to insect size and has a lesson on the application of social media, while the last and best predicament is most effective kept as a surprise.

Although younger readers are the target audience, such is the creativity and charm, Captain Marvel’s regular readers shouldn’t miss out.