Flush with cosmic power, Binary learns valuable lessons in empathy and responsibility after witnessing the finality of death for the first time.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Captain Marvel #37, available now from Marvel Comics.
The new Binary is incredibly powerful, but childlike in her comprehension of the world. Following an attack by monstrous space cats, Captain Marvel’s newest ally just experienced the most heartbreaking part of being a hero.
Flush with cosmic power, Binary learns valuable lessons in empathy and responsibility after smacking a pedestrian in the face and then witnessing the finality of death for the first time.
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The new Binary has an unusual origin story, even for comic books. Captain Marvel focused her powers to manifest a woman remarkably similar to her own, past Binary form — creating a new Binary. This hero is enhanced by trace DNA and Phoenix Force energy left on the planet New Hala, allowing her to stick around after one battle. Alongside Spectrum, Captain Marvel is fighting space villains and trying to acclimate Binary to the world.
After a brief tussle in downtown New York City in Captain Marvel #37 by Kelly Thompson and Julius Ohta, a pedestrian wanders up and says something rude and misogynistic to Carol. So Binary punches this totally-nonpowered-human in the mouth. After asking another bystander to call 911 for the unconscious heckler, Carol struggles to explain that superheroes should not hit regular people. The trio leave the crowded city and find a quiet diner to enjoy a meal and teach Binary how to interact with humans. Binary sits down with a group of children and their kitten named Dumpling. She instantly falls in love with the tiny “vibrating” creature, but inevitably, more alien baddies attack. When the dust settles, Binary discovers that Dumpling is a casualty of the battle. What follows is a tender scene in which Carol and Monica try to comfort Binary while also explaining the finality of death.
This is a moment not often portrayed in comics, but one that is more important than any galactic battle or philosophic monologuing. As Uncle Ben told young Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This mantra isn’t just for Spider-Man, but for every hero and really, every person with a modicum of power in any form. Binary suddenly witnessing the loss of Dumpling illustrates this clearly for her. The lesson about not hitting “breakable” humans, no matter how rude they are, further reinforces the need for this responsibility. Villains often come to Earth seeking revenge or more power or to conquer. They don’t pay attention to innocent bystanders. For example, Thanos, has a penchant for killing half of all life. Galactus devours entire planets. What do heroes do? When the violence erupts, they rush to evacuate civilians or move the fight away from them. Even in doing so, though, they cannot save everyone. Binary could not save Dumpling.
What makes a hero? It’s not about power. Heroes need empathy, first and foremost. Binary’s love of Dumpling and her tears over the kitten’s death demonstrate her empathy in a direct way. Heroes also need to wield their power with responsibility, to use their power to help those without. It’s why the Avengers assemble. It’s why Captain Marvel flies around the universe stopping intergalactic villains in the face of impossible odds. It’s small moments though that really show who heroes are.
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