Captain Marvel vol. 5 #15Captain Marvel vol. 5 #15
Title: “micro-management”
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Chrisscross
Inkers: Rodriguez, Livesay, Candelario
Colors: Steve Oliff
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Psycho-Man tells Drax that he has sought him out in order to benefit from that which Drax probably takes for granted… his strength. Psycho-Man says that Drax’s strength rivals that of the Hulk’s, and that here in the Microverse that his strength probably reigns as supreme. Drax tells Psycho-Man not to hurt him. Psycho-Man tells Drax to have no fear, but decides that he doesn’t really mean that since he is the one generating the fear within Drax. Psycho-Man tells Drax that he has found an item on immense power, but that he can’t find a way to break through it to the power within. Psycho-Man asks Drax if he knows how it makes him feel to not be able to break the item. Drax asks how. Psycho-Man says that it makes him feel like a failure, and that he hates that. Psycho-Man changes the setting on his machine to hate. Drax says that he hates that too. Psycho-Man says that Drax hates it so much that he wants to break it into pieces. Drax says that he would like to smash it into hundreds of pieces. He decides that he would rather smash it into thousands, millions, billions, trillion, maybe even into quadrillions of pieces. Psycho-Man says that the number of pieces isn’t really important. Drax says that he would do it just like this and starts smashing his foot on the ground.
On Earth, Marv rolls his eyes as Marlo and Moondragon both yell at Genis to go help Una-Rogg. Moondragon says that there is a principle here. Marv says that the principal is that “Captain Marvel isn’t a sap”, and that he supports that principle strongly. Genis says that he doesn’t appreciate them teaming up on his to pressure him into being… Moondragon breaks in with “hero?”. Marv says, “A sap!” Marv takes out a guitar and puts the strap over his neck. Marv says that they want him to go help Una-Rogg, but they aren’t thinking about the fact that Una-Rogg is the daughter of his father’s greatest enemy, that she tried to kill him, and that if he were in trouble that she wouldn’t lift a finger to help him. Moondragon says that heroism isn’t about “quid pro quo”. She says that Kree women are being mutilated into not being able to give and receive pleasure because Kree men are afraid the women will control them. Marlo says that it isn’t right, and that heroes are supposed to fight for what is right.
Marv says that the guitar is similar to a Xenexian lute. Moondragon asks if Marv is even listening. Marv says that he is listening to the guitar, and not to their hypocrisy. He asks Moondragon if it were Kree women running around mutilating men to make them more aggressive would she be there telling him to charge in there with photonic energy blazing for the right of Kree men? Moondragon says probably not. Marlo says that this is different. She says that the only lives in danger are those of the Kree women. She says that there is absolutely right and absolutely wrong, and that heroes are supposed to do something about the wrong. Marv says that Marlo is very sweet, but tells her not to lecture him. He says that he has been studying humans, and tells her to go get twelve random people off the street and see if they can get a decision on if abortion is absolutely right or wrong. Or one on gun control, capital punishment, or who god is. Marv says that humans can’t make up their own minds, and not to think that they can make his mind up for him. Moondragon asks Genis if he thinks what the Kree are doing is right. Marv says that it isn’t his business, and asks Moondragon if a hero doesn’t ever get to say, “This is not my problem!” Moondragon says, “no”. Marv glares at Moony. Moondragon starts to say that Marv’s father never would have stood by, but Genis interrupts her and says that his father was a full-blooded Kree, and for all they know he did “stand by”. Marv tells Moondragon never to invoke his father’s name to try and guilt him into doing something. Marv says that you people are so sanctimonious. Moondragon says, “us people?” Marv says that he means humans. He says that they all go around telling each other what to do because they all think that they’re right all the time. Marlo says that Marv is just as big a hypocrite because if he loved Una that he wouldn’t be sitting there doing nothing because of sanctimony. Marv says that people don’t usually fall in love with people that try to kill them. Marlo says that Marv hasn’t been in a lot of relationships. Marlo says that deciding who to help based on one’s own beliefs is floundering. She says that if you don’t stand for a higher ideal that you’re standing for nothing. Marv says that he isn’t an icon or a flag. He says that he is just a man doing the best he can, and that what is isn’t going to “stand for” is being lectured because he doesn’t ask them “how high?” when they tell him to jump. Marv yells for Rick and says that he is switching places with him, and that he can deal with this.
In the
Microverse, Rick is asleep and dreaming of Marlo dressed up in a
Wonder Woman outfit. Marv mentally creates a loud noise and wakes
Rick up. Rick starts yelling that he has been waiting his whole
life for that dream. Rick says that it isn’t fair. Marv says
that life isn’t fair, and for Rick to get used to it. Marv
bangs the bands, and Rick is left laying on the ground. Rick
says, “I know I’m supposed to… but somehow I never
do.” Rick asks Marlo and Moondragon how they are today. They
turn their backs and huff, “Men!” at him. Rick holds
his head and says that he wants his dream back so badly. Rick
says that the women are in a mood, and asks what Marv did to
them. Marv asks Rick if he thinks that they should have helped
Una-Rogg. Rick asks what she ever did for them. Marv says that he
is relieved to hear him say that. Rick continues that the Kree
are doing horrible things to women, and maybe they should do
something. Marv says to forget he asked. Marv happens upon a
large ship. He flies up and spots the Microns inside. Marv goes
inside. He says that he noticed some damage on the side of the
ship and asks where Drax is. Rann says that the two things are
related. Rann says that Drax burst through the side of the ship
scared out of his mind. Marv asks what could have scared Drax as
strong as he is. Rann says that they tracked Marv down because
they think that it is the Psycho-Man.
Aboard the Psycho-Man’s ship, Psycho-Man once again tries to get Drax to focus his rage. Drax keeps stomping his foot on the ground. Psycho-Man switches to “Doubt”. Drax cradles on the floor unsure of anything. Psycho-Man asks Drax if he wants something to be sure about. Drax says that he does. Psycho-Man says that in the next room is a cocoon and that if Drax smashes it open that he will never doubt again. Drax is unsure if he can open it, and what might happen if he does. Psycho-Man switches to fear and says that if Drax doesn’t break the cocoon open in seconds that he is going to die. Drax buzzes into the next room and says that he’ll do it. Psycho-Man says that he has to get more emotions on this thing. Drax starts pounding away on the cocoon. Psycho-Man says that these readings are incredible.
Moondragon says that Marv listens to Rick. Rick says that he isn’t going to twist Marv’s arm. Marlo asks why not. Rick says that true heroism, the desire to help people, has to come from within. He says that if it doesn’t sooner or later Marv is going to get angry at those making him do things. Rick adds that anger leads to hate, hate leads to fear, and fear leads to the dark side. Moondragon checks with Marlo if that is a movie quote. Moondragon flies out the window, and says that while Rick is quoting movies there are people being hurt, and Captain Marvel is letting it happen. Rick shouts out to her and asks how much guilt she is going to heap on him. Moondragon replies, “as much as it takes”. Marlo starts telling Rick that she has to go back to the store, but Marv interrupts and asks Rick if he knows what Psycho-Man is. Rick says that he thinks it is a Black Sabbath song.
Commander Rann gives Marv a more accurate description of Psycho-Man. He was his world’s chief scientist who is trying to deal with his world’s overpopulation. Marv asks Rann if he thinks that this Psycho-Man has Drax. Rann says given the intense fear that overcame him it is almost a certainty. Rann says that Psycho-Man is a very intelligent foe, and that whatever he wants with Drax it is probably something subtle and not his enormous strength.
On Psycho-Man’s ship, Drax continues to
pound on the cocoon. The cocoon shatters and power begins to pour
out. The cocoon explodes and Psycho-Man and Drax are both
wondering what they are looking at. 
Fredd floats
above the ground. He says, “Well, well, well… Draqs
right?” Drax confirms his identity. Fredd says thanks for
the help, and that it is much appreciated. Fredd tells Drax to
get up, and that a big strong guy like him shouldn’t be
cowering. Drax says that he is afraid. Fredd asks his what he is
afraid of. Psycho-Man says that Drax is afraid of him and
introduces himself. Fredd asks if he is named after the Black
Sabbath song. Psycho-Man says that he doesn’t get
Fredd’s reference, but that he dislikes the way he is
speaking to him. Psycho-Man says that Fredd is going to be afraid
and sets his machine to “Fear”. Fredd asks, “Will
I? I don’t think so. Some kind of emotion manipulation beam?
Charming, but it still travels over waves, just like any other
such device. And manipulating all manner of waves happens to be
among my specialties. Another of specialties happens to be taking
penny-ante dictators…” Fredd blasts Psycho-Man.
Psycho-Man says, “You… you dare to attack me this
way… in my stronghold?” Fredd says that Psycho-Man
would be amazed at what he dares. Psycho-Man calls for his
interior defense maneuver 1-A. A giant plate comes down on top of
Fredd.
At Golden Orange Comics, Marlo is setting up books and arguing with Lorraine when Al comes over. Al tells Marlo that her agent Frank called. Marlo asks what he wanted. Al says that he wanted Marlo to try out for the part of a superhero’s girlfriend. Al leaves and Marlo asks Lorraine what she thinks will happen. Lorraine recaps and says that the last part she had that she was killed, and that Marlo was nearly torn in half by a giant furry monster. Lorraine says that disaster follows Marlo like Oscars follow Meryl Streep. Marlo says that is the nicest thing that Lorraine has ever said to her. Marlo says that she is going to call Frank and get the details. Lorraine shouts after Marlo that it wasn’t intended as a compliment.
Psycho-Man says that Fredd actually had him worried for a minute there as the giant plate rises off the ground. Psycho-Man says that he would have liked to have learned more about him. Psycho-Man says that maybe he will be able to scrape enough of him off the plate to examine. Psycho-Man looks and sees that the plate missed Fredd. Psycho-Man is wrapped up in an energy restraint. Fredd says that if he tries anything like that again that he will crush him like an egg inside his armor. Fredd asks if Psycho-Man understands. Psycho-Man starts to yell at Fredd, but Fredd squeezes Psycho-Man and repeats his question. Psycho-Man says that he understands. Fredd says that this is an impressive set up Psycho-Man has. He guesses correctly that he is in the Microverse. Fredd asks Psycho-Man if he ever dreams about taking over the other worlds. Psycho-Man says that since his exile from his native world that he does little else. Psycho-Man says that he owes a debt of vengeance to a bunch of Marvel superheroes. Drax starts to object, but Psycho-Man just sets his machine to “Doubt”, and Drax settles down. Psycho-Man asks if he knows of the outer worlds. Fredd says that he is from there, or rather a variation of it. A proximity alarm goes off and Psycho-Man says that they have company. Fredd says that he recognizes the identity of one of them.
Rann says that is Psycho-Man’s ship. Marv says that he senses something or someone on the ship. The Micron’s communications system comes up by itself. Fredd says that Marv senses a someone. Fredd says that he activated the comm-screen. Rann asks who he is. Fredd introduces himself and says, “Me? My name is Fredd, and I happen to be Captain Marvel’s evil twin clone future self from an alternate dimension! And once we obliterate you, we’re going to go topside and take over the outer universe, which is what I was trying to do before I wound up here. Hope you don’t have a problem with that.”
Legacy rating: 7 out of 10
Cool and funny story. The plot unravels nicely, and another bad guy is introduced into Marv’s rogue gallery. The dark reflection villain is almost always my favorite even if it is a evil twin clone future self from an alternate dimension. Chriscross’ pencils again are high on style and low on storytelling. There’s no way to tell what Psycho-Man’s plan 1-A is without looking later in the book.