The further we get into this series, the more Dexter Soy’s art grows on me. I really like the look of this issue: the action is big, the characters have momentum about them when they should, and you can tell the Banshees apart, which is something: I could imagine having a hard time following conversations involving those characters in the hands of some artists.

I’m torn on DeConnick’s writing, though. On its own merit it’s fine, but sometimes (often) Carol – and the series in general – feels a little like it’s written as a big-budget PSA. I agree with the message, to be sure, but I feel like in some ways this approach lessens one of the better female characters in comics right now. Carol can be a strong character and let that speak for itself. So far this series seems written as if to prove a point, and that makes Carol less a person and more a figurehead. Figureheads seldom make strong characters, regardless of their sex or gender.

And that’s too bad, because DeConnick has demonstrated that she can make Carol a very interesting, relatable person, and I’d wager that Carol doesn’t have to prove anything to her readers.