Captain Marvel vol. 6 #13Captain Marvel vol. 6 #13
Title: "Pop”
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Michael Ryan
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Editor: Andy Schmidt
The Magister of the planet Illera is
addressing his council. He says that he doesn’t understand
it, and that he wants someone to explain why the inhabitants of
Kahafan are being so ungrateful. The council starts to respond,
but Magister says that it is because they have no appreciation
for the risks that they took to free them. He says that for nine
years they lived under the yoke of Morkai of the Badoon. He says
that they took the initiative and freed them. He asks what
gratitude he hears from the Kahfans. The council says that the
Kahfans are quite clear that they are worried that they drove off
the Badoon and are now trying to take over their world for
themselves. Magister asks why they would think that. The council
says that it has been thirty cycles and that they still
haven’t left. The Magister says that their infrastructure is
in shambles. He says that if they let them rebuild their
government that they will descend into chaos. The council says
that they fear their motivations, and that they are trying to
rule them and mine their valuable elements. They say that if they
really want freedom for them that they must give them freedom.
Magister says that they don’t know what is best. Suddenly
the roof tears open. 
They look up to
see Burstaar standing there. He says that he will be the means of
their death for the evening. The Magister shouts for the guard,
but Burstaar says that he thinks that he will find that most of
their guards are no longer in working condition. Burstaar says
that he is there on behalf of the Badoon, and that he is there to
express their irritation. The Magister starts to tell Burstaar to
tell the Badoon that as the Magister he, but Burstaar cuts him
off. He thanks the Magister for identifying himself and that it
saves time. He says that this isn’t a dialogue and that the
message goes one way. Burstaar blasts, but the Magister is
shielded. Burstaar asks where the shield came from. Marv says
hello to Burstaar and says that it has been a long time since he
beat the crap out of him.
Burstaar recognizes Marv and says that he
can’t fool him with his new helmet and costume. Marv tells
Burstaar that he has the brain the size of a walnut, and that he
could fool him with a fake mustache and funny glasses. Burstaar
flies through Marv’s light-generated duplicate and Marv says
that he told him so. Marv blasts Burstaar and drops him to the
floor. Marv lands on him. Burstaar gets up and says that this
isn’t Marv’s concern. Marv leaps onto Burstaar’s
back and says that it isn’t any of his either. Marv says
that Burstaar has allied himself with the Kree, and that now he
is acting on behalf of the Badoon. Marv says that he can only
conclude that the Kree and Badoon have joined forces. Burstaar
asks how Marv knew. Marv wraps his legs around Burstarr’s
waist. He grabs his head and says that Burstaar would be
surprised about what he knows. Marv says that Burstaar might
remember the last time they fought and how he tried to moderate
his power. Marv says that things have changed, and that it is
time Burstaar knew there was a new sheriff in town. 
Marv snaps
Burstaar’s neck. Rick asks if Marv had to do that. Marv says
that he did. Rick asks why. Marv says that it is because he said
there was a new sheriff in town.
The Magister and his council rush in. They see the dead Burstaar and ask Marv if he killed him. Marv says that Burstaar was too terrified to fight him so he snapped his own neck. Magister says that he is joking of course. Marv says that he either do that or kill the Magister that. Magister says that again he uses humor. Marv tells Magister to keep telling himself that. Magister Pop starts to congratulate Marv, but his council tells him that they need to speak to him. Magister excuses himself for a moment. Magister asks what is so important. One of the council tells him that Captain Marvel is infamous. Magister says that he is a great hero. The council says that was his father, and that this is the son. He says that he has been driven mad with power, assaulted entire races, and conquered worlds. He says that there is no telling what his true motivations could be. Magister looks at Marv and asks if they are sure. The council says that they may have traded one menace for a greater one. Magister turns back to Marv. He says that they own him a debt of gratitude that they can never truly repay. Marv says that he didn’t do it for gratitude. He says that he sensed Burstaar and that he couldn’t allow him to succeed in his venture. Marv says that if they are offering gratitude that he accepts it. Magister says that it is freely given then. Marv bows and flies off. Magister turns to his council and asks if that is the actions of a madman. He says that they will reconvene tomorrow to determine the fate of the Kahfan, and that he hopes their advice tomorrow is more sound.
Magister showers and heads to bed. He wonders to himself how his council could have led him so astray. As he climbs into bed he wonders what the world is coming to. A voice says, “Do you want me to answer that?” Magister Pop falls out of bed. He looks to see Marv lying in his bed. Marv says, “I could if you’d like, but I doubt you really want to know.” Magister asks what he is doing there. Marv says that he was tired and decided to avail himself of the gratitude Magister offered. He says that this seemed to be the most comfortable bed in the palace. Magister says, “Are you totally ins…” Marv’s eyes glows and asks Magister what he was going to say. Magister stumbles out, “Totally inssssudden need of… another… pillow… perhaps?” Marv says that he is fine. He says that he is sure that Magister can find a bed almost as comfy.
The next morning, Magister says that it is intolerable to be kicked out of his own bed. The council starts to say that they told him, but Magister cuts them off. He says that they were right. The council says that Magister said Marv was gone this morning. Magister says that he even made the bed, and that he gives him points for tidiness. The council says that besides his wounded pride that they may have gotten off light. They all walk into a room to find Rick Jones has changed the interior into a tropical surrounding. Rick says that he is Marv’s interior designer. He says, “So… what do you think? Too gay? Not gay enough? Fake volcano too much?” Magister turns to the guards and asks what he is paying them for. The guards swear that no one went in or out. Rick goes on and says that he mostly made suggestions, but that Marv is the one that did everything using dimensional folds. Magister Pop orders Rick’s death. Rick bangs his bands and Captain Marvel is suddenly there pointing his gun at them. Magister stammers. Marv asks if they like the room. Magister says that he admires it. Marv says that he and Rick have lots of ideas.
Marv is painting a big smiley face on the top of the palace. Rick asks Marv if he should be concerned that he is on the same wavelength as Marv. Marv asks why that would concern him. Rick says that usually the stuff Marv does creeps him out, but that this time he thinks it is pretty cool. Rick asks if these are his thoughts, or if Marv is influencing him somehow. Marv says that he wouldn’t worry about that at all. Rick smiles and says, “Okay.” Marv says that is good because they have a lot more to do to help the grateful people.
Marv stands before an assembly and tells them that their current system of government won’t work for them. He says that he has better ideas, and that he is sure they won’t mind.
Rick sits before an assembly and sings their new national anthem for them, “Thar she wuz, just’a walkin’ down th’street singin’… dowadiddee, diddeedum, diddeedoo…”
Marv stands before them. He says that their religion won’t do. He says that when they worshipped multiple deities that it was more coherent. He says that different gods have different personalities. He says that if they are going to worship one god that he should have multiple personality disorder. He adds that if they are going to worship a madman that they need look no further than him. He says that he works in mysterious ways, can raise the dead, strike down the living, and lots more. Magister stands up and says that is enough. He says that this has gone on long enough. He says that Marv saved them from a monster, and that he appreciates that. Marv says that he thought they had gratitude, Magister says that they do, but that it only goes so far. He says that Marv defeated a great evil, but that it doesn’t give him the right to impose his views and beliefs on them. He says that an truly altruistic being doesn’t use his altruism to take over the lives of the ones he saved. He says that he takes his bow and leaves. The council try to tell Magister that he can kill him with a thought. Magister says that he doesn’t care. He says that he wants him to leave. To let them stand or fall on their own. Marv says, “At last. Do you get it now? Do you see the point I’ve been endeavoring to put across?” Magister says, “Of… of course! I understand now. It’s… I should have realized. Thank you for making me realize the error of my ways.” Marv asks if Magister is lying to him. Magister says that he has learned his lesson. Marv flies off. The council asks what lesson he learned. Magister says that he doesn’t know, and that he was insane. He says that now they can get back to their business with the Kahfans. Suddenly Burstaar explodes out of the volcano in the room. His neck is still cocked to one end. He asks, “Remember when the Captain said you shouldn’t lie? And remember when he said he could raise the dead?”
Marv flies along and says, “Bet you remember now.”
Legacy rating: 8.5 out of 10
Haw. This reminds me of something. It’s Really A Question of wearing out your welcome. Peter David is a master, leave it at that. 4.5 for the writing. Ryan does a decent job with the penciling. I still miss Cross and Reis, but hopefully his style will grow on me as he goes along.