Marvel Masterworks Captain Marvel Vol. 3 left off with issue #33 and the end of the Thanos War. Marvel Premier Classic Vol. 43, The Death of Captain Marvel, picks up with #34, which makes sense not only because that’s where Marvel Masterworks left off, but also because that issue tells the story of how he contracted the cancer which would eventually lead to the titular death. The other two issues which comprise the collection, Marvel Spotlight (second series) #1-2, are a bit less obvious, though.
After Jim Starlin left Captain Marvel, the character continued in his own eponymous title until the cancellation of the series with #62, then continued in the first four issues of the re-launched tryout series Marvel Spotlight. The post-Starlin issues included (among other things), The Trial of the Watcher, the conclusion of the recently cancelled Inhumans series, and a rematch with Nitro, the villain responsible for his death (although he wasn’t aware of it at the time).
Penciller Pat Broderick joined with issue #55 and write Doug Moench with #56. After that, the series really kicked into high gear! Moench wrote the best Mar-Vell since Starlin (the second best run ever, IMHO), and Broderick turned in the best work of his career (also IMHO). Issue #57 saw the beginning of an eight-issue story arc which would not conclude until Marvel Spotlight #2. Marvel Spotlight #3 was also by Moench and Broderick, but #4 was an add duck of a story by Archie Goodwin and Steve Ditko. All things considered, I think issues #3-4 would have been better choices for inclusion in this collection than #1-2. Anyone reading these two stories for the first time and out of context of the entire arc is likely to come away quite confused! I hope such a person would be more intrigued than turned off, and I further hope the Marvel Masterworks series will continue to this point.
Regarding the graphic novel itself, the smaller size reproduction make the colors murky and dark. One would be better served, I think, sticking with the original or the tpb reprint. OTOH, if neither of those are readily available, this collection does represent an eclectic mix of good stories.
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After Jim Starlin left Captain Marvel, the character continued in his own eponymous title until the cancellation of the series with #62, then continued in the first four issues of the re-launched tryout series Marvel Spotlight. The post-Starlin issues included (among other things), The Trial of the Watcher, the conclusion of the recently cancelled Inhumans series, and a rematch with Nitro, the villain responsible for his death (although he wasn’t aware of it at the time).
Penciller Pat Broderick joined with issue #55 and write Doug Moench with #56. After that, the series really kicked into high gear! Moench wrote the best Mar-Vell since Starlin (the second best run ever, IMHO), and Broderick turned in the best work of his career (also IMHO). Issue #57 saw the beginning of an eight-issue story arc which would not conclude until Marvel Spotlight #2. Marvel Spotlight #3 was also by Moench and Broderick, but #4 was an add duck of a story by Archie Goodwin and Steve Ditko. All things considered, I think issues #3-4 would have been better choices for inclusion in this collection than #1-2. Anyone reading these two stories for the first time and out of context of the entire arc is likely to come away quite confused! I hope such a person would be more intrigued than turned off, and I further hope the Marvel Masterworks series will continue to this point.
Regarding the graphic novel itself, the smaller size reproduction make the colors murky and dark. One would be better served, I think, sticking with the original or the tpb reprint. OTOH, if neither of those are readily available, this collection does represent an eclectic mix of good stories.