Kelly Sue DeConnick and David Lopez's "Captain Marvel" #4 continues Carol's adventures in space as she attempts to save Tic and all of Tic's people relocated to the poison planet of Torfa, a tale both epic and wonderfully intimate.

DeConnick does an excellent job of detailing the complicated but integral politics of another world -- real life problems with no easy solution. Carol proves her mettle by not giving up despite daunting odds and continuing to think outside the box with her team of misfits. The end of this issue syncs up to the opening of the first issue, with Carol and her team scouting Ursor 4 for ship parts that might save the lives of everyone on Torfa. DeConnick's scripts always crackle with energy and humor, but it's her effortless voice for Carol that shines through best. Carol is n irresistible character: both a superhero impossible to resist and a woman full of her own complexities and flaws.

Lopez has so deftly created a cohesive look and feel for this new "Captain Marvel" that it feels like a much more mature book than its four issues. Lopez's Carol is wonderfully superheroic and yet relatably human and real. Equally well developed are the supporting cast and world-building of Torfa. The planet and its people are wildly different; each complex and fully formed. Lopez remains as natural with action as he is with more static scenes. In fact, it's Lopez's excellent character acting and expression use that makes DeConnick's script work. However, perhaps the most fun aspect of the issue is the synergy between DeConnick and Lopez -- the duo has a knack for the lighter side of "Captain Marvel," which is breezy and natural.

Lee Loughridge's colors are so wonderful they're practically their own important, flawlessly integrated character. From the broad and bright golds of the desert planet on the verge of death to the purple hues of a hologram room. The slight shift in light from planet to planet and room to room on Carol's ship is beautiful and well considered work that lends extra depth and nuance to an already gorgeous book.

While the previous "Captain Marvel" series had a lot going for it, it was a bit uneven and ultimately lacked the same cohesive vision of this revamped series. The new "Captain Marvel" is firing on all cylinders and is a wonderful argument for not throwing the baby out with the bath water. It's simply a damn fine comic book.