Captain Marvel: The character of Captain Marvel has a rich history in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Over the years, various versions of Captain Marvel have graced comic book pages and made their way to the big screen. This article will explore the evolution of Captain Marvel, tracing the character’s origins in the comics, their journey through different iterations, and their prominent presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Captain Marvel
Several superheroes in Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer), Gene Colan (art)
Characters	Mar-Vell, Monica Rambeau, Genis-Vell, Phyla-Vell, Khn’nr, Noh-Varr, Carol Danvers
Publication history	Following a trial with DC Comics, Marvel started using the “Captain Marvel” title in the late 1960s.
Mar-Vell	The first Captain Marvel, an alien military officer of the Kree Imperial Militia, later becomes Earth’s protector.
Monica Rambeau	The second Captain Marvel, a police lieutenant from New Orleans with energy-based powers.
Genis-Vell	The third Captain Marvel, the genetically-engineered son of Mar-Vell with cosmic awareness.
Phyla-Vell	The fourth Captain Marvel, sister of Genis-Vell with superhuman strength, energy absorption, and cosmic awareness.
Khn’nr	The fifth Captain Marvel, a Skrull sleeper agent who takes on the persona of Mar-Vell.
Noh-Varr	The sixth Captain Marvel, who becomes Marvel Boy and later Protector.
Carol Danvers	The seventh Captain Marvel, formerly known as Ms. Marvel, who assumes the mantle in 2012.
Marvel Cinematic Universe	Brie Larson portrays Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel in several MCU films and TV series.
Video Games	Captain Marvel appears in various video games, including Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2, and more.
Merchandise	Captain Marvel figurines and action figures have been released inspired by the MCU.
Theme Parks	Captain Marvel features in theme park attractions on the Disney Wish cruise ship and Disneyland Paris.

Captain Marvel’s Origin

Captain Marvel is the name of several superheroes, but the most prominent incarnation in the Marvel Universe is Carol Danvers. However, before we delve into Carol’s role as Captain Marvel, let’s explore the character’s comic book history.

Publication History

The journey of Captain Marvel began with a legal dispute between DC Comics and Fawcett Comics, who published a character named Captain Marvel. DC claimed that Fawcett’s Captain Marvel was too similar to Superman, leading to a trial that resulted in Fawcett ceasing to publish Captain Marvel in 1953. Marvel later acquired the “Captain Marvel” trademark and started publishing their series.

Mar-Vell – The Original Captain Marvel

The first Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, was created by Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, debuting in Marvel Superheroes #12 in December 1967. Mar-Vell was an alien military officer of the Kree Imperial Militia sent to Earth to observe its technological advancements. He eventually turned against his superiors and became a protector of Earth. Mar-Vell’s story included a nod to the original Fawcett Captain Marvel, involving a transformation through wristbands called Nega-Bands.

Mar-Vell’s character was revitalized by writer Jim Starlin, and he became the cosmic champion, “Protector of the Universe.” He formed alliances with other cosmic heroes, such as the Titans, and had epic battles, notably against Thanos. Unfortunately, Mar-Vell’s career was cut short when he succumbed to cancer due to earlier exposure to toxic nerve gas.

Monica Rambeau – The Second Captain Marvel

The second Captain Marvel was Monica Rambeau, created by Roger Stern and John Romita Jr., first appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 in October 1982. Monica possessed the power to transform into various forms of energy. She was a member of the Avengers and even served as their leader for a time. She later adopted the name Photon and then Pulsar.

Genis-Vell – The Third Captain Marvel

The third Captain Marvel, Genis-Vell, created by Ron Marz and Ron Lim, debuted in Silver Surfer Vol. 3 Annual #6 in 1993. Genis-Vell was the genetically engineered son of Mar-Vell and possessed Cosmic Awareness, often teaming up with Rick Jones. Unfortunately, he went insane and posed a threat to the universe. His story took an unexpected turn when Baron Helmut Zemo accelerated his resurrection, leading to a degenerative effect on the universe.

Phyla-Vell – The Fourth Captain Marvel

Phyla-Vell, the fourth Captain Marvel, created by Peter David and Paul Azaceta, was introduced in Captain Marvel Vol. 5 #16 in January 2004. She was created when Genis recreated the universe and was known for her strength, energy manipulation, and cosmic awareness. Phyla-Vell later became the new Quasar and then Martyr, sacrificing herself to save her comrades in the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Khn’nr – The Fifth Captain Marvel

Khn’nr, the fifth Captain Marvel, was created by Paul Jenkins and Tom Raney, debuting in Civil War: The Return in January 2007. He was a Skrull sleeper agent who assumed the identity of Mar-Vell, with unexpected consequences due to a botched mental conditioning. Khn’nr fought against the Skrull invasion despite his Skrull origins.

Noh-Varr – The Sixth Captain Marvel

The sixth Captain Marvel, Noh-Varr, was created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones, first appearing in Marvel Boy #1 in August 2000. His story was part of the Dark Reign storyline, where he joined the Dark Avengers as Captain Marvel. He later became known as Protector and Marvel Boy, working with the Young Avengers and the Inhuman Royal Family.

Carol Danvers – The Seventh Captain Marvel

The seventh and most iconic Captain Marvel is Carol Danvers, created by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan. She first appeared in Marvel Superheroes #13 in March 1968 and later assumed the mantle of Captain Marvel in 2012. Carol’s journey as Captain Marvel in the comic books was marked by her unique exploration of her past and superhero role. She adopted the code name Captain Marvel after being known as Ms. Marvel.

Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The character of Carol Danvers, portrayed by Brie Larson, made her way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). She first appeared in “Captain Marvel” (2019), followed by “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021), and the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel” (2022). Brie Larson is set to reprise her role in the upcoming sequel, “The Marvels” (2023).

Conclusion

Captain Marvel’s journey from the pages of comic books to the silver screen showcases the character’s enduring popularity and evolution. Each incarnation brought something unique to the role, contributing to the rich tapestry of the Marvel Universe. With Carol Danvers’s prominent presence in the MCU, fans can look forward to more exciting adventures and cosmic battles in the world of Captain Marvel. As the character continues to evolve and inspire, Captain Marvel’s legacy remains strong in the world of superheroes.

FAQ – Captain Marvel

1. Who is Captain Marvel in the Marvel Universe?

Captain Marvel is the name of several superheroes in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The most well-known incarnation is Carol Danvers, but multiple characters have taken up this mantle over the years.

2. Who is the current Captain Marvel in Marvel Comics?

The current incarnation of Captain Marvel is Carol Danvers.

3. How did Captain Marvel come into existence in Marvel Comics?

Captain Marvel was first introduced in Marvel Superheroes #12 in December 1967, created by Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan. The character is an alien military officer of the Kree Imperial Militia sent to observe Earth but eventually becomes its protector.

4. Why have there been multiple Captain Marvels in Marvel Comics?

Captain Marvel has seen several iterations due to the need to retain the trademark “Captain Marvel.” As a result, Marvel has published various series featuring characters taking up the Captain Marvel alias.

5. What are some notable characters who have been Captain Marvel?

Notable characters who have taken up the Captain Marvel mantle include Mar-Vell, Monica Rambeau, Genis-Vell, Phyla-Vell, Khn’nr, Noh-Varr, and, most famously, Carol Danvers.

6. What are the distinctive traits of some of the Captain Marvels?

Mar-Vell: An alien protector of Earth who later becomes the “Protector of the Universe.”
Monica Rambeau: A police lieutenant with energy-transforming powers.
Genis-Vell: The son of Mar-Vell with Cosmic Awareness.
Phyla-Vell: The sister of Genis-Vell with superhuman strength and energy manipulation.
Khn’nr: A Skrull sleeper agent who becomes Captain Marvel.
Noh-Varr: Known as Marvel Boy, he is chosen as the Kree’s protector of Earth.
Carol Danvers: A longtime superheroine who took up the mantle of Captain Marvel in 2012.

7. What are some appearances of Captain Marvel in other media?

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Carol Danvers is portrayed by Brie Larson in movies like “Captain Marvel” (2019) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), as well as the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel” (2022).
Various Captain Marvels have appeared in animated series like “The Super Hero Squad Show” and “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.”
The character is also featured in video games and theme park attractions.

8. What is the significance of the Captain Marvel character in Marvel Comics?

Captain Marvel symbolizes heroism and cosmic adventures in the Marvel Universe. Different characters taking up this mantle have contributed to the richness and diversity of Marvel’s superhero roster.

9. Is Captain Marvel related to the character Shazam from DC Comics?

No, Captain Marvel is a Marvel Comics character, while Shazam (formerly known as Captain Marvel) is a DC Comics character. Although they share the name “Captain Marvel,” they are from different comic book publishers and have no direct connection.