Unleashing Monica Rambeau's Incredible Superpowers
Discover the electrifying powers of Monica Rambeau, aka Photon, in Marvel's upcoming movie The Marvels Uncover the origins of her abilities and where her journey will take her next in the ever-expanding Marvel universe
Monica Rambeau is a highly anticipated addition to the MCU, with fans excited to see her powers in action in The Marvels. She has a rich history in Marvel Comics, having been the original Captain Marvel before taking on the name Photon. Despite some considering this a demotion, Monica continued to prove herself as one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel universe. She has worked with a wide range of characters, including the Avengers, Black Panther, Blade, The Wasp, and The Fantastic Four. In the comics, she even saved the multiverse as Spectrum while part of the Mighty Avengers. While the MCU version of Monica may not have as much experience, The Marvels will see her develop her powers and skills with the help of her new team. However, she must first make amends with one of her fellow team members.
Who is Monica Rambeau?
Fans were initially taken aback when Akira Akbar brought the character of Monica to life in Captain Marvel as an 11-year-old child, as opposed to the adult version they were familiar with from her comic book run as Photon, Spectrum, and Captain Marvel. However, this provided an opportunity for MCU fans who were not familiar with the character to get to know her. Monica is the daughter of Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) and the unofficial niece of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), both of whom she watched establish themselves in the U.S. Air Force before Carol's mysterious disappearance. In WandaVision, Monica (Teyonah Parris) struggled with the aftermath of the Snap and the loss of her mother to cancer, and attempted to help Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) cope with her grief. Though she was unsuccessful in preventing Wanda from becoming the Scarlet Witch, she began to develop her own powers in the process, setting the stage for her upcoming appearance in The Marvels.
How did Monica Rambeau get her powers?
Monica's journey to becoming a superhero is more nuanced than just being a result of Wanda's powers. Her upbringing by strong and supportive women instilled in her a belief in herself and her ability to speak her mind. As a member of S.W.O.R.D., Monica had already been investigating otherworldly matters and was familiar with the world of superheroes. Her complicated relationship with her Auntie Carol is something fans are eagerly anticipating to see explored in The Marvels.
Monica's life took a dramatic turn when she attempted to investigate an energy field linked to the Westview Anomaly. While trying to uncover its secrets, she inadvertently ended up in a 1960s sitcom version of the world. Despite initially being drawn to Wanda, Monica received a rude awakening when she was thrown back into reality for asking too many questions. This led her to realize that exposure to Wanda's magic had altered her on a molecular level, setting her on the path to becoming Photon.
What are Monica Rambeau's powers?
Monica's first time entering the Hex was a bewildering experience that ultimately led her to becoming a superhero in her own right. On her second entry, she had no choice. But it was her third entry that was the most powerful. She was determined to save Wanda from her own choices and attempted to re-enter the Hex using an armored S.W.O.R.D. Space Rover. When that approach failed, she fearlessly shed her safety gear and charged in. The journey through the energy field was a trip down memory lane that concluded with her gaining her energy-based powers as Photon. This awesome moment elevated her character to superhero status.
Monica's newfound abilities include superhuman reflexes and the ability to phase through physical matter. But her coolest power is how she interacts with energy. During her journey through the Hex, she discovers that she can see the energy coming off power lines and even the mystical energy in Agatha Harkness' cellar. She also absorbs the energy of bullets, rendering them useless. Fans hope to see Monica fully develop her powers as Photon in The Marvels.
The trailer for The Marvels shows Monica mysteriously switching places with Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel and Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios have been secretive about the plot, but fans know that Monica's powers as Photon are connected with the others and causing cosmic chaos.
Fans are eagerly anticipating Monica's transformation into her final superhero form and her potential debut as Photon. The chemistry between Monica, Kamala, and Carol is also captivating early viewers. In a nod to their shared history, Carol may have the opportunity to support Monica as she embraces her Photon powers in The Marvels.
