Captain Marvel can see the future, but not if the Desecrator has anything to say about it. Paul Jenkins has spun up a new angle for the character, focusing on a new power and delving into her family, particularly her father. The series has leaned into mystery along the way, but it’s time for a direct confrontation in Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3. It’s also a Spider-Woman team-up with Captain Marvel, allowing a fun dynamic to switch things up.
Picking up where we left off, Carol and Spider-Woman are scoping out a location from one of Carol’s visions. She has to keep that under wraps for now, though, keeping Spider-Woman in the dark, who is gung-ho to help out regardless. Soon they’re infiltrating, and running into, Kree powered Wrecking Crew villains. Much like in the first issue, they’re far superior to Captain Marvel making this a not so fair fight.
Lucas Werneck’s art makes these characters pop off the page. Their armor and weaponry, paired with Rod Fernandes’ colors, looks alien and slick. Ever the tough guy, Carol gets snatched up by Desecrator, and is soon locked away without a way to get out. The same goes for Werneck’s design of Desecrator, who looks equally tortured and evil.
Love that gun.
Credit: Marvel
Something this series has suffered a bit from is the exposition heavy flashback. It occurs here again, and while it certainly is a dramatic and enlightening flashback to say the least, it’s also heavy handed in how it’s delivered. While it is split up, it also is delivered while Captain Marvel is out of the fight, making the villain’s long-winded exposition feel extra stilted to the action and plot. The villain’s motivation is also fairly basic. He’s angry at Carol so why not take his frustration on her, even though it’s loosely connected to her.
That said, Werneck draws the heck out of these scenes, with Carol going through intense pain. The line work is super clean, reminiscent of Stjepan Šejić’s work. The use of blur effects also helps convey the intensity of her pain.
Eder Messias also supplies art. It’s not super clear when, but likely in the flashbacks. These add a more rustic look that separates them from the main action.
But what about Spider-Woman? Well, her side of the story is supplying action, but all told it’s only a few pages. The balance of action and exposition is too great in the exposition direction, making the issue feel uneven and dragging for sections.
Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 advances the series’ central mystery and sheds important light on Carol Danvers’ past, but it struggles to maintain a consistent rhythm. Paul Jenkins continues to build intriguing ideas around Carol’s new abilities and family history, though the story often pauses for lengthy explanations at the expense of action and tension. Fortunately, Lucas Werneck’s artwork remains a major asset, bringing energy, emotion, and visual clarity to every scene. While the issue feels uneven at times, the revelations and strong artistic execution provide enough intrigue to keep readers invested in where the story is headed next.
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