Rogue and Captain Marvel are hardly friends. Frenemies may still be too generous of a term, but they can usually tolerate the other's existence. But Nuclear Man’s interference is going to test even that tolerance. Kelly Thompson pits the two powerhouses against each other in a fight they may not walk away from in Captain Marvel #4. Carmen Carnero and Tamra Bonvillain lend their talents with art and colors respectively, and the team is rounded out with VC’s Clayton Cowles as the letterer.

Carol Danvers is a fighter, but even she can only do so much against Rogue draining her powers. Last time she faced Rogue, Carol lost her memories and her identity. But last time she didn’t have her friends and an army to back her up.

Having Captain Marvel fight Rogue gives Thompson the chance to tell an action-packed story while also exploring Carol’s emotions. Carol still has the traumatic memories of the first time she fought Rogue, and they haunt her during this fight. Getting knocked down and getting back up every time just to prove she can, is the Captain Marvel spirit, and Thompson is showing that she really understands the character.

There are many panels where Carnero and Bonvillains’ art has to compete with the speech bubbles or action words. These panels end up feeling too busy, and they don’t allow the art to stand out. When the art is the main focus, it’s dynamic and expressive, and the reader is easily drawn through the movement of the story following the action. It’s a shame the balance between art and dialogue is off during this issue.

It looks like Carol’s time on Roosevelt Island is coming to an end, but any victory she has will probably be tainted by the memories of facing off with Rogue once again.

Grade: B+