Captain Marvel vol 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More s/c back

That's right, Kelly Sue DeConnick, as in the gothic western PRETTY DEADLY. The cadence of that comic was perfect.

So, isn't that a lovely cover? It's fairly indicative of what lies within: softer than usual superheroic art for a softer than usual superheroic saga but make no mistake: Carol Danvers is a very naughty lady. You can see it the mischievous smile and the I-know-what-I'm-doing smile.

Except that Carol's never quite known what she's doing: not in the wider scheme of things, anyway. Once she was lost to alcoholism and became ultra-defensive to boot. Now she's having a tryst with Rhodey, former pilot of War Machine now Iron Patriot. They seem pretty well matched.

"Tony Stark just tried to play me with the suggestion that you're a better pilot than me."
"I am."
"In your dreams."
"Let's talk more about my dreams. I'm seeing you in a little black lace number -"
"Careful. Your heart."
"A cocktail dress. Colonel Danvers. Who's the one with the dirty mind here?"
"I am. I thought we established that."

Alas, the subject which Stark was trying to play her on was the opportunity to head into space as part of a formal, rotating Avengers presence and it's seems the perfect opportunity during which to find herself.

Fast-forward to the first page and Colonel Danvers (who in costume appears to accept demotion) has accepted and gathered a personal posse of intriguing individuals one of whom nearly crash-landed on Earth in an escape pod six weeks earlier. This is very much a space-faring saga and an appearance by the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is guaranteed!

The ever-competitive exchange between Stark and Danvers takes place while they nonchalantly deal with a couple of lowlifes, killing two narrative birds with one rolling stone and thereby keeping the whole thing popping along at a bright and breezy pace.