Captain Marvel finally flies

Captain Marvel takes a while to get off the ground

Debuting on Interntational Women's Day may seem like a publicity stunt, but the hero known as Captain Marvel is definitely a sign of the times.

When I was born Captain Marvel was a man and Carol Danvers was called Ms. Marvel, first appearing in 1968. This was back when comics were ruled by white men and boys were the target market. I didn't even see a female shop in a comic store until much later in my college days.

Ms. Marvel didn't get her own comic until 1977 and then went through so many changes it still makes my head spin. From losing her memory and powers to battling alcoholism, Danvers was somewhat of a punching bag for writers back in the day.

In the new movie version, there is plenty for long time comic fans like myself. It stars Brie Larson as the title character, landing smack dab in the middle of action with memory problems that has her mind hopping around for a backstory.

There's a war between two alien races that was a big storyline in the comics. People can pick sides between Kree and Skrulls, but I have always been a Skrulls fan from the beginning when they originated in the Fantastic Four funny pages.

Setting the action in 1995 adds much needed humor and Samuel L. Jackson lands lots of jokes throughout the plot. A cat named Goose somehow steals every scene from the cast no matter how hard they try to wrangle the puss in!

There are many clever moments such as the introduction of the classic character Monica Rambeau, who is a friend to Danvers.

The movie is already important in terms of empowering women throughout and breaking the glass ceiling as the first female led movie in the Marvel cinematic universe. It continues right into Avengers: Endgame and I got the feeling the audience was ready to wait in the theater until the next movie starts on April 26!

I'm looking forward to the Eternals upcoming flick with a gay lead. See, everyone wants and deserves to see themselves represented on the big screen.

This flick is important in the same way Black Panther tapped into an underserved community that was hungry for representation. Maybe if girls could have seen themselves as powerful warriors originally instead of a damsel in distress they would have been in the comic stores spending money just like I did.

In terms of special effects, storyline and entertainment, Captain Marvel is another notch in the superhero utility belt and it's been a long time coming!