Carol Danvers is one of the most popular super heroes in the world, thanks for the recently released Marvel Studios film, “Captain Marvel.” It might come to a surprise to many fans that Danvers has not been Captain Marvel for even a decade yet. She began her career as a supporting character for “Mar-Vell,” the first Captain Marvel.
However, Danvers emerged as a star and has rose in prominence over the years. Danvers holds one of the most compelling backstories in all of comics history and it’s time to explore her story from the very beginning.
The Captain Marvel Years: Captain Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1
In 1968, Marvel Super-Heroes #13, Carol Danvers made her debut as an Air Force officer in control of security at a secret military base. This is where she met Mar-Vell while he was pretending to be Dr. Walter Lawson. Even though Danvers and Mar-Vell grew extremely close as they spent time together, his secrets ultimately came between them. Mar-Vell’s enemy, Yon-Rogg, tried to use Danvers as a hostage against Mar-Vell in Captain Marvel #18 (1969). During the crisis, Mar-Vell’s powers were exposed to her during a massive explosion, which left her with powers of her own.
The Rise of Ms. Marvel: Ms. Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
In 1977, Danvers emerged as Ms. Marvel, a new hero, whose costumed reflected Mar-Vell’s. Originally, Carol Danvers and Ms. Marvel had completely separate personalities that their minds were not aware of the other. However, over time, their minds joined and become whole. This series also established Mystique, Deathbird, and M.O.D.O.K. as Ms. Marvel’s most enduring enemies.
Joining the Avengers: Avengers Masterworks Vol. 18 & Vol. 19
The Avengers soon noticed Danver’s exploits as a hero and invited her to stand with the Avengers as one of humanity’s champions. When she was apart of the Avengers she grew close to Scarlet Witch and created lasting relationships with the rest of the team. Even though her initial tenure with the team ended in a controversial story in AVENGERS #200, Danvers served with distinction on the team. She re-emerged in AVENGERS ANNUAL #10 when Rogue took on her powers and most of her memories. As she recovered, she berated the Avengers for their lack of help during her hour of need, and she stayed with the X-Men for a short while.
A Binary Star: Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Vol. 8 & Vol. 9
Danvers was not the same hero after her encounter with Rogue. She lost most of her powers and memories. She continued to have struggles when her and the X-Men were abducted by the alien Brood. The Brood took a special interest in Danvers and began experimenting on her. Fortunately for Danvers, the experiment linked her with a white hole and granted her powers on an intergalactic scale. Danvers was given a new codename, that forged a new life for her in space; Binary. Binary shared her displeasure at Rogue joining the X-Men by punching Rogue into orbit.
Warbird: Avengers (1998) #1-70
Danvers sacrificed most of her Binary powers in OPERATION: GALACTIC STORM and returned to Earth with the new codename Warbird. Once again, she joined the Avengers, but her diminished abilities still took a toll on her. Carol Danvers hit rock bottom as she became an alcoholic and was temporarily removed from the Avengers team. After confronting her problem, she worked hard to overcome it and earn her place among the Avengers once more. When Kang invaded the Earth, she proved to be a crucial part of the team.
Ms. Marvel Reborn: Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 – Vol. 9
After the HOUSE OF M, she realized she was not living up to her potential as a hero. She was Captain Marvel, the most popular hero on Earth, in that alternate world. Danvers was inspired to reclaim her Ms. Marvel codename and rededicated herself to her life’s calling. Following CIVIL WAR between Captain America & Iron Man, Ms. Marvel found herself leading the Mighty Avengers team and her own S.H.I.E.L.D. Strike Force. Soon after, Norman Osborn’s DARK REIGN began and she had to fight Moonstone for her own legacy as Ms. Marvel.
Captain Marvel: Captain Marvel Vol. 1 “In Pursuit of Flight”
During AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, Danvers and Mar-Vell were briefly reunited. She was inspired again when he sacrificed his own life for save his people. As a tribute to Mar-Vell, Danvers finally took on the codename Captain Marvel and reinvented herself as a hero completely. The proper reading order of all of Captain Marvel‘s adventures are below.
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 1 “IN PURSUIT OF FLIGHT”
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 2 “DOWN”
- AVENGERS: THE ENEMY WITHIN
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 1 “HIGHER, FURTHER, FASTER, MORE”
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 2 “STAY FLY”
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 3 “ALIS VOLAT PROPRIIS”
- CAPTAIN MARVEL AND THE CAROL CORPS
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 1 “RISE OF ALPHA FLIGHT”
- CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 2 “CIVIL WAR II”
- CIVIL WAR II
- THE MIGHTY CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 1 “ALIEN NATION”
- THE MIGHTY CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 2 “BAND OF SISTERS”
- THE MIGHTY CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 3 “DARK ORIGINS”
- THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL
Currently, Carol Danver’s adventures continue in CAPTAIN MARVEL (2019-), a new monthly series by Kelly Thompson and artist Carmen Carnero. Read more of these stories here or visit your local comic shop to read the new CAPTAIN MARVEL now.
Photo credit to Captain Marvel/TMBd and Marvel.
If you’re dying to meet Captain Marvel, now is the time to plan a trip to The Disneyland Resort, where she can be found in Disney California Adventure Park.
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