Carol Danvers is now the Phoenix, and she’s doing her best to keep the people in her hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts, away from the X-Virus. But how did she get this power, and what threats does she face in the bubble she’s erected to keep her people safe? Maybe more importantly, how can she keep the power of the Phoenix at bay, and put it to good use?
Binary #2 is a well-plotted issue, keeping you interested with every twist and turn. The issue opens in year one of the Age of Revelation, and Captain Marvel is present when Jean Grey attempts to save the universe from the X-Virus. The opening pages convey the heavy weight Carol carries and how Jean exits this universe.
From there, writer Stephanie Phillips gives us a sense of what’s going on in Beverly. These people are protected, sure, but are also trapped against their will. Captain Marvel is doing her best, but if you’re alone for long enough, anger and other emotions rise up. Since these events are happening in a bubble and not in the larger world, worldbuilding for the Age of Revelation event is minimal.
Yelling “Jean!” has become a kind of tradition.
Credit: Marvel
The central conflict of this issue culminates in an act that gives it a beginning, middle, and end. While it’s satisfying enough when you put this issue down, it still feels a bit light on content. Maybe it’s due to four pages of civilians arguing, padding out the book, but by the end of the issue, it’s only about half as satisfying as it should be. There are other places where the scenes feel stretched over pages when they could have been more efficient.
Tucked away in this issue is Carol’s self-doubt about being Phoenix, which is interesting. This tie-in allows Phillips to explore what it’d be like if Carol had the Phoenix Force, which is a unique take. The cliffhanger ups the ante on this responsibility, making the next issue a must-read.
Art by Giada Belviso is great when it comes to flames and space scenes. The energy effects are quite cool, with colors by Rachelle Rosenberg. The civilian scene is a bit stuffy; characters are in street clothes, yelling, and there’s little for Belviso to do to punch it up.
Binary #2 offers a compelling look at Carol Danvers’ struggle to balance compassion and cosmic power, grounding the Phoenix myth in small-town humanity. While it occasionally feels padded and self-contained, Stephanie Phillips’ character work and Giada Belviso’s vibrant visuals ensure the fire still burns bright enough to keep readers hooked.
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