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Captain Marvel

 
Wikipedia: Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell)
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Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel 29.jpg
Cover of Captain Marvel #29 (Nov. 1973). Art by Jim Starlin.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (Dec. 1967)
Created by Stan Lee
Gene Colan
In-story information
Alter ego Mar-Vell
Species Kree
Place of origin Hala
Team affiliations Avengers
Notable aliases Captain Marvel, Dr. Walter Lawson
Abilities Superhuman strength
Flight
Cosmic Awareness
Solar energy absorption & projection
Wields Nega-Bands

Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (Dec. 1967) and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller Gene Colan.

Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books, the character has appeared in over four decades of Marvel publications, and starred in a self-titled series and the second volume of the title Marvel Spotlight. Captain Marvel has also been associated with Marvel merchandise including clothing; video games; toys and trading cards.

Contents

Publication history

In 1967, Marvel Comics copyrighted the title of "Captain Marvel", which originally belonged to Fawcett Comics. Fawcett allowed the copyright to lapse because the original character had been pulled from publication as a result of the copyright infringement suit from DC Comics. The Marvel Comics version then debuted as the lead feature in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (Dec. 1967) and made a second showcase appearance in issue #13 (March 1968). Established as an alien member of the militaristic Kree, "Mar-Vell" (the character's true name) is initially sent to Earth as a spy.

The character then starred in a self-titled series, commencing with Captain Marvel #1 (May 1968), and was revamped by writer-artist team Roy Thomas and Gil Kane in issue #17 (Oct. 1969), being given a new costume and greater abilities. An added plot feature was the introduction of sometime hero sidekick Rick Jones. Jones and Marvel "shared molecules" allowing only one to exist in the real world at a time. Thomas stated that the intent of the change was to create a more science-fiction oriented update that was reminiscent of Fawcett Comics' original Captain Marvel who similarly had an alter-ego that could not co-exist with the superhero.[1] Mar-Vell also made a guest appearance in Avengers #72 (Jan. 1970).

The change, however, was not successful, and the series was canceled with issue #21 (Aug. 1970). Don Markstein, creator of Don Markstein's Toonopedia, stated that "Marvel didn't seem to quite know what to do with him — but they did put his comic out every other month through most of the 1970s, if only to maintain their trademark on his name (as their arch-rival, DC, had revived the original version)."[2] Despite cancellation, Mar-Vell played a key role in the Kree-Skrull War storyline in Avengers #89 - 96 (June 1971 - March 1972), also written by Thomas.

Plotter and artist Jim Starlin then decided to revamp the character, the series recommencing with issue #22 (Sep. 1972). Mar-Vell became embroiled in a war against the Eternal Thanos (also a Starlin creation) with the storyline running from issues #25 - 33 (March 1973 - June 1974). In issue #29 (Nov. 1973) of the storyline, Mar-Vell encountered the cosmic entity Eon, and was appointed the "Protector of the Universe". This involved a change in hair colour and yet another shift in powers and abilities. Mar-Vell also participated in a second storyline involving Thanos in Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2 (both 1977).

The series was eventually cancelled as of issue #62 (May 1979), although plot threads were resolved in issues #1 - 4 (July 1979 - Jan. 1980) and #8 (Sep. 1980) of the second volume of Marvel Spotlight.

Mar-Vell made very few appearances in the Marvel Universe outside the title, appearing in Sub-Mariner #30 (Oct. 1970); Avengers #108 (Feb. 1973); Marvel Team-Up #16 - 17 (Dec. 1973 - Jan. 1974); Daredevil #107 (Jan. 1974); Defenders #62 - 63 (Aug - Sep. 1978); Ms. Marvel #19 (Aug. 1978); Marvel Two-In-One #45 (Nov. 1978); What If #17 (Oct. 1979) and Hulk #246 (April 1980). Mar-Vell was finally killed off by Starlin in Marvel's first graphic novel, "The Death of Captain Marvel" (Jan. 1984).

The character returned, although not a living capacity, in storylines in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #63 (March 1992) and Captain Marvel vol. 5, #5 (March 2003). The limited series Captain Marvel vol. 6, #1 - 5 (Jan. - June 2008) was released as part of the 2008 Secret Invasion storyline and supposedly heralded the return of the character, although it was eventually revealed that "Mar-Vell" was in fact an alien Skrull.

Biography

1960s

When the Kree ship arrives above Earth space, Captain Mar-Vell is sent by his superior Colonel Yon-Rogg to Florida in the United States, and assumes the identity recently deceased scientist Dr. Walter Lawson. As Lawson, Mar-Vell commences work at Cape Canaveral and studies humanity's progress on developing a means of space travel.[3] When the US Army find and accidentally activate a Kree robot Sentry, Mar-Vell is forced to don his uniform and defeat it. Onlookers hear the Sentry call Mar-Vell by his name, and mistakenly believe him to be a superhero named "Captain Marvel", proclaiming him a hero. One of the humans who see Mar-Vell is Carol Danvers, who would eventually become Ms. Marvel.[4]

Mar-Vell continues to observe the humans,[5] and is ordered by Yon-Rogg - secretly in love with Mar-Vell's lover Una and wanting him killed in action - to battle various threats, including the Super-Skrull;[6] Namor the Sub-Mariner;[7] the Metazoid;[8] Solam;[9] and Quasimodo.[10] At Yon-Rogg's urging, Mar-Vell is eventually found guilty of treason by the Kree Empire, and sentenced to death by firing squad. The execution, however, is delayed when the alien Aakon attack, with Mar-Vell defeating them. Una, however, is killed in the conflict, and a weakened Mar-Vell is sent via rocket into space by Yon-Rogg. Mar-Vell crashes on an alien world, and encounters a sentient towering obelisk called "Zo", that offers Mar-Vell new abilities in exchange for a vow to serve Zo. Mar-Vell accepts, and courtesy of his new powers returns to Earth.[11]

Mar-Vell in original Kree uniform on the cover of Captain Marvel #1 (May 1968). Cover art by Gene Colan & Vince Colletta

Directed to attack the Kree by Zo, Mar-vell becomes embroiled in war against the Kree. with Zo eventually being revealed to be the Kree Minister Zarek in disguise. Zarek and ally Ronan the Accuser, in league with Yon-Rogg, attempt to usurp the Kree Supreme Intelligence and use Mar-Vell as a scapegoat. Although the conspirators are arrested and Mar-Vell is saved by the intervention of the Supreme Intelligence, he is trapped in the Negative Zone.[12] The Supreme Intelligence, however, secretly enables Mar-Vell to telepathically contact Rick Jones (a youth who had previously been a companion to the Hulk; the original Avengers and Captain America and lead Jones to a set of hidden "nega-bands" at an abandoned Kree base. By wearing and slamming the bands together, Jones is able to trade places with Mar-Vell, with Jones encased in a protective aura while in the Negative Zone. The pair discover they are able to maintain telepathic contact, although Mar-Vell can only remain on Earth for a period of three hours.[13]

Mar-Vell has a final encounter with Yon-Rogg, who holds Carol Danvers hostage and controls a device called a "Psyche-Magnitron" that can transform thoughts into reality. Yon-Rogg directs a robot Mandroid to attack Mar-Vell, with the Psyche-Magnitron damaged in the battle. Defeating the robot, Mar-Vell escapes with Danvers as the device explodes, killing Yon-Rogg.[14]

1970s

After a brief encounter with the villain Scorpio;[15] Mar-Vell seeks out Dr. Bruce Banner in an abortive attempt to free Mar-Vell and Jones from their shared existance, Mar-Vell has a brief battle with Banner's alter ego the Hulk.[16] The hero then becomes embroiled in the Kree-Skrull War, and is captured by a Sentry at the direction of Ronan the Accuser.

Ronan attempts to begin "Plan Atavus", and devolve Earth to a prehistoric time to use as a base in the war against the Skrulls. Superhero team the Avengers prevent this, and Ronan returns to Hala when advised on an impending attack by the Skrulls. The Sentry self-destructs, and destroys Ronan's base. The Super-Skrull, posing as Carol Danvers, persuades Mar-Vell to build an "Omni-Wave Projector", a communications device that in the hands of non-Kree is a deadly weapon. Mar-vell, however, sees through the deception and destroys the device, but is captured along with Avengers Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch.

Mar-Vell is taken to the heart of the Skrull empire and after being advised that the captive Avengers will be executed, is forced to build another Projector. The Avengers defeat the Skrulls on Earth and come to Mar-Vell's aid, who is forced to use the Projector, which casts a temporarily freed Rick Jones back into the Negative Zone. The War ends when Jones, using new-found mental powers unlocked by the Supreme Intelligence, sends a wave of Golden Age heroes with the Avengers against the Skrulls.[17]

Mar-Vell also aids the Avengers against foes the Grim Reaper and the Space Phantom, with the latter being trapped in the Negative Zone.[18] The hero battles the atomic powered Megaton, and while successful in stopping the villain's rampage, is trapped in the Negative Zone once again.[19] Mar-Vell also battles and defeats Dr. Mynde, who attempts to storm the Pentagon and seize military secrets.[20]

Mar-Vell then has an encounter with Skrulls disguised as some of Earth's heroes, and learns of the Eternal Thanos. Mar-Vell and allies Mentor and Eros - Thanos' father and brother - engage Thanos and his forces in a war as the villain attempts to learn the location of the artifact the Cosmic Cube. Seeing the magnitude of the threat, the cosmic entity Kronos aids them by creating the artifical being Drax the Destroyer, whose sole purpose is to kill Thanos. Despite Mar-Vell fending off the Thing in a manipulated encounter; defeating the Super-Skrull and Thanos' mercenaries, the villain obtains the location of the Cube from a captured Rick Jones.[21]

Mar-Vell seeks the aid of superteam the Avengers, and after a battle with Thanos' minion the Controller - whose power has been amplified - Jones is split from the hero. Another cosmic being, Eon, transforms Mar-Vell into the "Protector of the Universe", and provides the hero with new abilities, including "cosmic awareness". Returning to rebond with Jones, Mar-Vell defeats the Controller, and rallies his allies for a final battle against Thanos. Despite their combined power, Thanos uses the Cube to become part of - and therefore in control of - everything in the universe. Thanos discards the Cube after this act, believing it to be drained of power. A dying Mar-Vell shatters the Cube, which undoes Thanos' actions and forces him to retreat.[22]

Mar-Vell returns to Earth and has a first encounter with the villain Nitro. In defusing a bomb placed by Nitro, Mar-Vell is exposed to a powerful nerve gas called "Compound 13." Mar-Vell collapses due to the exposure, but recovers when given an antidote. The gas, however, would eventually prove to be carcinogenic and cause Mar-Vell to develop cancer.[23] Mar-Vell investigates Nitro's allies, who are revealed to be the Kree "Lunatic Legion", leading to a series of protracted battles and the eventual trial of the cosmic entity the Watcher for constant involvement in Earth's affairs.[24] After ending the threat and aiding the Watcher, Mar-Vell briefly separates from Jones and has an encounter with a space parasite that assumes the form of former lover Una.[25]

Mar-Vell travels to the Kree homeworld of Hala, and through a protracted series of events that almost kill Rick Jone frees himself from the manipulation of the Supreme Intelligence. During this period Mar-Vell also encounters the cosmic entity the Stranger.[26] Returning to Earth, Mar-Vell encounters stranded Kree scientists who attempt to retrieve an inactive Kree Sentry located on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. This proves unsuccessful when the Sentry activates but fails to follow direction, going on a rampage. New villain the Cheetah attempts to manipulate the Sentry, although both are eventually defeated by Mar-Vell. The hero locates the Kree scientists, and briefly battles Ronan the Accuser, who was left with the mind of a child after a previous encounter.[27]

Rick Jones is visiting Avengers Mansion when the robotic villain the Super-Adaptoid attacks. During a battle with the Avengers, Jones trades places with Mar-Vell, with the Adapotid eventually mimicking Mar-Vell's Nega-Bands. Mar-Vell then brings the Adaptoid's pseudo bands together, banishing the robot to the Negative Zone and freeing Jones.[28] Mar-Vell bids Jones farewell and encounters Mercurio the 4-D Man, who tricks Mar-Vell into returning to his home dimension, hoping to coerce the hero into building the Omni-Wave Projector. Mar-Vell, however, defeats Mercurio and returns to Earth.[29]

Mar-Vell continues to have dealings with the Kree, preventing scientist Dr. Minerva from killing Rick Jones and battling High Council member Phae-Dor[30] before travelling to Hala and with King of the Inhumans Black Bolt preventing the "War of Three Galaxies" by exposing a Skrull infiltrator.[31] After another encounter with Nitro,[32] Mar-Vell briefly attempts to adopt the Walter Lawson identity once again and works at an observatory. This plan is abandoned when forced to become Mar-Vell to stop an energy vampire called "Deathgrip".[33] After an encounter with the Thunder God Thor,[34]

Mar-Vell is forced to fight off Drax, who has been driven insane due to being unable to fufill his purpose and kill Thanos.[35] Eventually convincing Drax to aid him, Mar-Vell enters into a war against ISAAC, the sentient computer that served Thanos and now directs his forces. After a series of protracted battles, Mar-Vell convinces ISAAC's female minion Elysius to join him (who also falls in love with Mar-Vell); defeats other pawns Chaos and Tarterus and the warrior Stellarax on Earth.[36] Mar-Vell eventually defeats ISAAC by entering the supercomputer's programming and forcing it to experience life.[37] Mar-Vell meets Eon once again and reflects on the events of recent times.[38]

1980s

After a battle in the mystical "Dark Dimension";[39] an encounter with the Hulk[40] and an adventure on an alien world,[41] Mar-Vell discovers that exposure to "Compound 13" is killing him. Surrounded by former allies, Mar-Vell has a vision in which he meets Thanos once again before dying.[42]

1990s

When the Silver Surfer visits the Realm of the Dead, the character is counselled and aided in his escape by Mar-Vell.[43] Mar-Vell's former lover Elysius also impregnates herself with his genetic information, giving birth to a son, Genis-Vell. Courtesy of advanced science, Genis is aged to adulthood to protect him from Mar-vell's former enemies.[44]

2000s

For a time Genis becomes insane, and commits suicide. Visiting the Realm of the Dead, Genis encounters his father. After speaking with Mar-Vell, Genis attempts to kill him, infuriated at his father's advice.[45] When Genis resurrects himself, he learns that Elysius also gave birth to a girl - and therefore Genis' sister - Phyla-Vell.[46] Young Avengers member Hulkling is also eventually revealed to be the child of Mar-Vell, who had an illicit affair with Princess Anelle of the Skrulls.[47]

Powers and abilities

On arriving on Earth, Mar-Vell possesses no superhuman powers, but is stronger and more durable due to his advanced Kree physiology. As a soldier, the character is equipped with a device called a "Uni-beam" (at first a handheld pistol which was converted to a device strapped to the wrist) that is capable of projecting energy; emitting beams of pure blackness and controlling magnetism.

When manipulated by "Zo" (actually Zarek, the Kree Imperial Minister),Mar-vell gains the ability to teleport to anywhere in the universe. This ability is lost when Mar-vell gains the Nega-Bands, which convert Mar-Vell's psionic energy into greater strength and durability; energy projection; fly at faster-than-light speeds and exist in space. Once named the "Protector of the Universe" by Eon, Mar-Vell possesses "cosmic awareness", and as such can detect threats and perceive changes in the universe.

Mar-Vell's Kree military training gives him mastery of all forms of unarmed combat and extensive knowledge of the technology of the Kree Empire.

Other versions

The Ultimate Marvel limited series Ultimate Secret, set in an alternate universe, features a version of the character called Mahr Vehl, who aids Earth's heroes against the threat of Gah Lak Tus.[48] In the limited series Earth X, set in the alternate universe Earth-9997, Mar-Vell is reincarnated as the child of synthetic beings Him (Adam Warlock) and Her.[49]

In other media

Captain Marvel is a PSP exclusive character in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (2006) voiced by Roger Rose. In 2006 Toy Biz produced a Marvel Legends action figure line with Captain Mar-Vell being one of the final figures.

Bibliography

  • Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) #12-13
  • Captain Marvel (vol. 1) (1968-1970, 1972-1979) #1-62
  • Giant-Size Captain Marvel (1975) #1 (reprint book)
  • Marvel Spotlight (1979) #1-4, #8
  • Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #1 (later reprinted in standard comic book format as The Death of Captain Marvel)
  • The Life of Captain Marvel (1985) #1-5 (reprint series)
  • The Untold Legend of Captain Marvel (1997) #1-3

Collected editions

A number of the stories featuring Captain Marvel have been collected into trade paperbacks:

Footnotes

  1. ^ Roy Thomas interview in Daniel Herman, Gil Kane: Art and Interviews, 2002
  2. ^ Don Markstein's Toonopedia
  3. ^ Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (Dec. 1967)
  4. ^ Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (March 1968)
  5. ^ Captain Marvel #1 (May 1968)
  6. ^ Captain Marvel #2 -3 (June - July 1968)
  7. ^ Captain Marvel #4 (Aug. 1968)
  8. ^ Captain Marvel #5 (Sep. 1968)
  9. ^ Captain Marvel #6 (Oct. 1968)
  10. ^ Captain Marvel #7 (Nov. 1968)
  11. ^ Captain Marvel #10 - 11 (Feb- March 1969)
  12. ^ Captain Marvel #12 - 16 (April - Sep. 1969)
  13. ^ Captain Marvel #17 (Oct. 1969)
  14. ^ Captain Marvel #18 (Nov. 1969)
  15. ^ Avengers #72 (Jan. 1970)
  16. ^ Captain Marvel #20 - 21 (June & Aug. 1970)
  17. ^ Avengers #89 - 97 (June 1971 - March 1972)
  18. ^ Avengers #108 (Feb. 1973)
  19. ^ Captain Marvel #22 - 23 (Sep. & Nov. 1973)
  20. ^ Captain Marvel #24 (Jan. 1973)
  21. ^ Captain Marvel #25 - 27 (March - July 1973)
  22. ^ Captain Marvel #28 - 33 (Sep. 1973 - July 1974)
  23. ^ Captain Marvel #34 - 35 (Sep. - Nov. 1974)
  24. ^ Captain Marvel #36 - 39 (Jan. July 1975)
  25. ^ Captain Marvel #40 (Sep. 1975)
  26. ^ Captain Marvel #41 - 46 (Nov. 1975 - Sep. 1976)
  27. ^ Captain Marvel #47 - 49 (Nov. 1976 - March 1977)
  28. ^ Captain Marvel #50 (May 1977)
  29. ^ Captain Marvel #51 (July 1977)
  30. ^ Captain Marvel #52 (Sep. 1977)
  31. ^ Captain Marvel #53 (Nov. 1977)
  32. ^ Captain Marvel #54 (Jan. 1978)
  33. ^ Captain Marvel #55 - 56 (March & May 1978)
  34. ^ Captain Marvel #57 (July 1978)
  35. ^ Captain Marvel #58 (Sep. 1978)
  36. ^ Captain Marvel #59 - 62 (Nov. 1978 - May 1979)
  37. ^ Marvel Spotlight vol. 2, #1 - 2 (July & Sep. 1979)
  38. ^ Marvel Spotlight vol. 2, #3 (Nov. 1979)
  39. ^ Marvel Spotlight vol. 2, #4 (Jan. 1980)
  40. ^ Hulk #246 (April 1980)
  41. ^ Marvel Spotlight vol. 2, #8 (Sep. 1980)
  42. ^ "The Death of Captain Marvel" (April 1982)
  43. ^ Silver Surfer vol. 3, #63 (March 1992)
  44. ^ Captain Marvel vol. 3, #1 - 6 (Dec. 1995 - May 1996)
  45. ^ Captain Marvel vol. 5. #5 (March 2003)
  46. ^ Captain Marvel vol. 5, #16 (Jan. 2004)
  47. ^ Young Avengers #1 - 12 (April 2005 - Aug. 2006)
  48. ^ Ultimate Secret #1 - 4 (March - Oct. 2005)
  49. ^ Earth X #0-12 (March 1999 - April 2000)

External links


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