Unraveling the Mystery of Captain Marvel: A Comprehensive Look at the Different Identities in Marvel Comics

Captain Marvel initially started as a Kree spy who transitioned into a superhero, however, the history of this persona is filled with a multitude of intriguing Marvel figures.

In the film "The Marvels," Carol Danvers returns as Captain Marvel, but it cleverly introduces a crossover. Monica Rambeau, who has also held the title of Captain Marvel in the comic books, teams up with Carol, resulting in an abundance of Captain Marvels.

This is not the first occurrence of such an event. In the first film, Annette Benning portrayed Wendy Lawson, a gender-swapped version of Walt Lawson, a Kree spy who later became the inaugural Captain Marvel. The roots of this can be traced back to how the comics treated the Captain Marvel identity, somewhat casually, over the years.

The title of Captain Marvel has a perplexing and intricate history. For a significant period, the individual referred to as Captain Marvel had no connection to the original character or anyone associated with them. It is now considered a true legacy title, but in the past, the purpose of Captain Marvel was simply to maintain the name's presence.

Every Captain Marvel character in Marvel Comics

From Walter Lawson to Carol Danvers, here’s everyone who has been Captain Marvel in Marvel Comics. 

Marvel ComicsThe original Captain Marvel was a Kree spy turned human sympathizer.

Mar-Vell

Ironically, the initial Captain Marvel was Mar-Vell, a Kree soldier. Following the Kree's initial meeting with the Fantastic Four, he is sent to Earth as a spy.

Assuming the identity of Walter Lawson, a deceased scientist, Mar-Vell joins a military base where he collaborates with Carol Danvers. Gradually, he begins to embrace his heroic persona as Captain Marvel and develops a more compassionate outlook towards humanity.

Mar-Vell's death, although subdued, stands out as one of his most enduring legacies. After embarking on countless adventures, Mar-Vell succumbs to terminal cancer caused by exposure to a nerve agent. In the Marvel Graphic Novel story The Death of Captain Marvel, he passes away peacefully in his bed, surrounded by fellow luminaries of the Marvel Universe. Despite occasional hints at his return, Mar-Vell has mostly remained deceased, save for a few fleeting appearances.

Marvel ComicsThis turn of events compelled Monica Rambeau to reluctantly assume the mantle of the new Captain Marvel.

Monica Rambeau

Following exposure to otherworldly energy, Monica Rambeau unlocks the power to manipulate and command energy. Due to a misunderstanding in the media, Monica is dubbed Captain Marvel.

Monica had limited success as a solo artist, but she devoted a significant portion of the ‘70s and ‘80s to being an Avenger and even served as the team's leader at one point. Regrettably, her powers were inconsistent, leading to her departure from the team.

Since then, Monica's abilities have progressed, resulting in personal growth and a transformation of her aliases. She moved away from the Captain Marvel persona and adopted various names such as Pulsar, Spectrum, and Daystar. However, she is most frequently recognized as Photon.

Marvel ComicsMar-Vell’s son Genis-Vell adopted the Captain Marvel identity.

Genis-Vell

Genis-Vell, the posthumously born son of Mar-Vell, made his debut in the '90s under the identity Legacy as a tribute to his late father.

During that decade, Genis-Vell remained a relatively lesser-known character, often involved in cosmic storylines alongside Marvel's notable figures like Silver Surfer and Thanos. However, his significance escalates in Avengers Forever, where a future version of Genis-Vell wields his father's Nega Bands to come to the rescue of Rick Jones.

The process that joined Rick to the present-day Genis-Vell mirrored the binding of Rick to Genis-Vell's father. Eventually, Genis-Vell assumed the mantle of Captain Marvel, inspired by a version of himself from the future. Serving as Captain Marvel for several years, he experienced a period of insanity triggered by his Cosmic Awareness and subsequently renamed himself Photon.

Marvel ComicsGenis-Vell's sister briefly took on the role of Captain Marvel following his episode of madness.

Phyla-Vell

Among the extensive Captain Marvel lineage, Phyla-Vell's position tends to be rather perplexing. Her tenure as Captain Marvel is often eclipsed by her subsequent roles.

Phyla-Vell, similar to Genis-Vell, is the offspring of Mar-Vell and Elysius, conceived after Genis-Vell, driven insane by his Cosmic Awareness, altered the universe.

After a confrontation with Phyla-Vell, Genis-Vell regains his sanity, but her attempt to claim the Captain Marvel mantle is short-lived. She later aligns herself with the Guardians of the Galaxy after the Annihilation event, donning the quantum bands and taking on the role of the new Quasar. However, she is chosen by the cosmic entity of death, Oblivion, to serve as his avatar, known as Martyr.

Marvel ComicsCaptain Marvel seemingly returned following Civil War, but was revealed to be a Skrull imposter.

Khn’nr

Civil War turned the Marvel Universe on its head. Friends turned against each other in the battle over the Superhuman Registration Act. And after the chaos settled, uncertainty loomed. It was in this uncertain time that Captain Marvel resurfaced.

Emerging from the Negative Zone, Captain Marvel had taken on the role of warden at Reed Richard's superhuman prison, Prison 42. However, as the Civil War skirmishes reached their climax, Mar-Vell found himself being pursued by Skrull agents.

It is revealed that the individual posing as Captain Marvel is actually Khn’nr, a Skrull spy who had undergone a shapeshifting process to adopt Mar-Vell’s appearance but was accidentally transported into the future. During this journey, the Skrull programming within him is erased, allowing the Mar-Vell persona to take control. Ultimately, Khn’nr meets his demise from injuries inflicted by the Super-Skrull, which serves as inspiration for the displaced Kree warrior Noh-Varr to carry on the battle against the Skrulls.

Marvel ComicsDuring his time serving in Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers, the genetically-altered hybrid, Noh-Varr, who shares characteristics of both a cockroach and a Kree, briefly assumes the mantle of Captain Marvel.

Noh-Varr

Among the vast array of Marvel characters, Noh-Varr stands out as a peculiar figure. His first appearance took place in the 2000 issue of Marvel Boy #1, revealing his identity as a Kree warrior originating from an alternate universe. However, what makes him even stranger is the fact that his DNA has been combined with that of a cockroach. He finds himself serving on a vessel named the Marvel, which unfortunately gets shot down, leading him to crash-land in the 616 universe.

Initially known as Marvel Boy, Noh-Varr begins his journey with a deep resentment towards humanity. The intervention of the Illuminati prompts him to reassess his beliefs, but he ultimately joins Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers as Captain Marvel.

However, Noh-Varr swiftly abandons the Captain Marvel persona once the Dark Avengers disband following Siege. He subsequently renames himself Protector and manages to regain the trust of others. Most recently, he has been observed as a valued member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Marvel ComicsHonoring Mar-Vell’s sacrifice and legacy, Carol Danvers finally embraces the Captain Marvel identity.

Carol Danvers

During her time as a military officer at the same base as Walter Lawson (also known as Mar-Vell, a Kree spy), Carol Danvers is exposed to the effects of an exploding Kree device, which grants her extraordinary abilities. Despite taking on the persona of Ms. Marvel, Carol struggles to emerge from the shadow of Mar-Vell and questions her own worthiness as a hero, leading her to frequently alter her identity in an attempt to come to terms with these uncertainties.

Despite facing challenges, Carol finds renewed energy after encountering an alternate version of herself in the House of M timeline. This revitalizes her determination, prompting her to intensify her efforts over the course of several years. However, her motivation is further amplified when Mar-Vell, who was briefly resurrected, sacrifices himself yet again to save the universe. Moved by his selflessness, Carol assumes the mantle of Captain Marvel, dedicated to upholding his heroic legacy.

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Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of Captain Marvel, I am thrilled to see the character's legacy explored in such a comprehensive manner. The article provides an insightful overview of the different identities that have embodied the iconic superhero, from Mar-Vell to Carol Danvers. It is fascinating to learn about the evolution of the Captain Marvel persona over the years, and how each iteration has brought something unique to the table.

The introduction of multiple Captain Marvels in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, adds an exciting new dimension to the character's story. It will be interesting to see how these different heroes interact with each other and how their shared mantle impacts the overall narrative. Overall, I appreciate the article's in-depth analysis of Captain Marvel's history and its exploration of the character's enduring appeal.