Monica Rambeau: Photon #1 - Marvel Comics

MONICA RAMBEAU: PHOTON No. 1, February 2023

Considering that Issue One of “Monica Rambeau: Photon” features a team-up between the titular character and the amazing Spider-Man, some endearing cameos by the chess-playing inhabitants of the Sanctum Sanctorum, as well as a frighteningly frantic fracas against the disconcertingly gifted Hinge, readers will probably enjoy just over half of this twenty-page periodical. However, once the former lieutenant in the New Orleans harbour patrol returns home and starts taking domestic-related phone calls Eve L. Ewing’s script debatably takes a turn for the worse.

Indeed, the American sociologist’s script suddenly seems to disappointingly degenerate into little more than a series of family issues and squabbles, where the human mutate desperately tries to solve her disagreeable cousin’s fractious relationship issues for the rest of the comic. Sure, such an insight into the mighty Avenger’s kin-based loyalty provides her with some admirable development. But the dialogue-driven sequence drags on for so long that it also ensures much of the pulse-pounding pace generated by this book’s early action scenes has completely evaporated by the publication’s end; “A reset? A therapist? A crystal ball to tell me who I am if not just the MVP of every team?”

Thankfully, so sedentary a conclusion can still be somewhat overlooked due to the dynamic punch-up Ewing pens beforehand. The “universal powerhouse” is still very much a veteran leader during combat, so her slight disagreement with Peter Parker’s alter-ego when she orders him about during their attack upon a deranged Doctor Yesenia Rosario, adds an intriguing wrinkle to an already engrossing persona. Furthermore, this “all-new adventure” contains a pleasing nostalgic nod back to Monica’s days as “Captain Marvel” when she is spotted by an elderly white-haired enthusiast who used to keep a scrapbook on the woman’s exploits alongside the rest of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Perhaps slightly more successful than this all-new adventure’s narrative are the layouts by Luca Maresca (with Ivan Fiorelli). The aforementioned fight sequence is packed full of punches, blurring motion and even the quirky athleticism Spider-Man has become famous for. Whilst even the comic’s conversational pieces contain some considerable emotion as Caleb angrily snaps at the person he called for help, and a noticeably world-weary Photon tries to take comfort in the company of her parents.

Writer: Eve L. Ewing, Artists: Luca Maresca with Ivan Fiorelli, and Color Artist: Carlos Lopez