Carol Danvers: Difference between revisions
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|species= Human (empowered) |
|species= Human (empowered) |
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|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |
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|debut= ''[[Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)|Marvel Super-Heroes]]'' #13 ( |
|debut= ''[[Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)|Marvel Super-Heroes]]'' #13 (March 1968) |
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|creators=[[Roy Thomas]]<br>[[Gene Colan]] |
|creators=[[Roy Thomas]]<br>[[Gene Colan]] |
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|alliances=[[United States Air Force]]<br/>[[NASA]]<br/>[[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]<br/>[[X-Men]]<br/>[[Starjammers]]<br/>[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]<br/>[[Mighty Avengers]]<br/>[[New Avengers]] |
|alliances=[[United States Air Force]]<br/>[[NASA]]<br/>[[S.H.I.E.L.D.]]<br/>[[X-Men]]<br/>[[Starjammers]]<br/>[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]<br/>[[Mighty Avengers]]<br/>[[New Avengers]] |
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==Publication history== |
==Publication history== |
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Carol Danvers debuted as a supporting cast-member in the premiere of the [[science fiction]] feature "[[Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)|Captain Marvel]]" in ''[[Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)|Marvel Super-Heroes]]'' #13 (March 1968), continuing on into the spin-off series ''Captain Marvel''. Gaining superpowers to become the superhero Ms. Marvel, she starred in her own namesake series in the mid-1970s. before being spun off into her own ongoing series. ''Ms. Marvel'' ran 23 issues (Jan. 1977 - April 1979), written initially by [[Gerry Conway]] and, after a co-written issue, by [[Chris Claremont]] through the end of this first volume's run.<ref>[http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/msmarvel.htm#S146 The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators: ''Ms. Marvel'' (1977-1979)</ref> Issue #24 and two-thirds of #25 were drawn when the series was canceled, with elements of those issues later incorporated in in issues of '''[[Uncanny X-Men]]''. Originally, the contents of issue #24 and a completed version of #25 were to have run in the Marvel Comics anthology series ''[[Marvel Fanfare]]'', though for unspecified reasons this did not come to pass.<ref>Editorial, ''Uncanny X-Men'' #158 (June 1982)</ref> |
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== 1960's == |
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The character debuted as a supporting cast-member in ''[[Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)|Marvel Super-Heroes]]'' #13 (Mar, 1968), which featured the premiere of the alien [[Kree]] hero ''[[Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics)|Captain Marvel]]''. As Danvers, the character would have a mininal role until the 1970's. |
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It would not be until 1992, in the quarterly anthology series ''Marvel Super-Heroes'' (#10-11 or 1992 Summer and Fall issues, since the series did not carry its issue number on its cover), that the two lost issues saw print, along with the original planned cover for Ms. Marvel #24 and the artwork planned for #25. Marvel writer [[Simon Furman]] and artist Mike Gustovich were brought in to finish issue #25 (of which the original pages ended right before a fight scene involving Ms. Marvel and [[Pyro (comics)|Pyro]]). Furman's ending quickly wrapped up the fight scene and the plotline involving Mystique's scheme to con the [[Hellfire Club (comics)|Hellfire Club]] out of an arsenal of weapons they were trafficking. It concluded with [[Rogue (comics)|Rogue]] overhearing Destiny and Mystique talking about Destiny's prediction that Ms. Marvel would do something vaguely "horrific" to Rogue and going out to kill Ms. Marvel, to prove herself worthy of becoming an active member of the Brotherhood of Evil. During the battle, Rogue ended up accidentally absorbing Ms Marvel's powers, permenantly stealing her mind and powers as a result. This of course, completely contradicted Avengers Annual #10, where Rogue stealing Ms. Marvel's powers was not an impulsive deed but as part of an elaborate jailbreak of the imprisoned members of the [[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood of Evil Mutants]]. |
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== 1970's == |
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Caught in the explosion of a Kree device, the character gains superhuman abilities and becomes the heroine Ms. Marvel, and featured in a self-titled series that ran for 23 issues and was published from January 1977 - April 1979, being written initially by [[Gerry Conway]] and later [[Chris Claremont]]. Ms. Marvel also featured in ''[[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]'' #57 (Mar. 1978) before appearing in ''[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]'' #171 (May 1978) and assisting the team against the robot villain [[Ultron]]. The character then had a series of semi-regular appearances in the title, with additional appearances in ''Defenders'' #62 - 63 (Aug. - Sep. 1978); ''[[Marvel Team-Up]]'' #77 (Jan. 1979); ''[[Marvel Two-In-One]]'' #51 (May 1979) and ''[[Iron Man (comics)|Iron Man]]'' #125 - 126 (Aug. - Sep. 1979). |
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For the bulk of the 1980s and 1990s, Danvers (now known as Binary) was shifted into limbo save for occasional cameo appearances in New Mutants and the X-Men mini-series "Spotlight On: The Starjammers". The character would ultimately be incorporated into the Avengers franchise, starting with the "Operation Galactic Storm" crossover and later rejoining the team full-time as part of the 1997 "Heroes Reborn" relaunch of the Avengers. She also would be a supporting cast member in the pages of Iron Man during this time as well. |
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== 1980's == |
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Issue #200 (Oct. 1980) of the Avengers proved controversial when Ms. Marvel was seduced and taken to an [[alternate dimension]], presumably forever. [[Feminist]] and comic book historian [[Carol A. Strickland]] criticized the storyline in an essay titled "The Rape of Ms. Marvel", published in in comics [[fanzine]] ''LoC'' #1 (1981). Former writer of the solo title Chris Claremont commented on the inappropriateness of the storyline in the ''X-Men Companion 2'' (Fantagraphics Books, 1982) |
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== 1990's == |
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The cancellation of the original Ms. Marvel title prevented the printing of two additional issues, although these were eventually published in 1992 in issues #10 - 11 of the third volume of quarterly anthology series ''Marvel Super-Heroes''. |
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A second ''Ms. Marvel'' comic book series launched in March 2006. The series was spun out of the events of "[[House of M]]", in which the character (who had fallen into obscurity over the years, mainly known only as being the source of Rogue's additional superpowers) found her heart's desire of being the most famous superhero of all time fulfilled by the [[Scarlet Witch]]'s reality warp. She also appeared regularly in the pages of "The Mighty Avengers", as the team's leader. Following the events of [[Secret Invasion]], she is now a member of the "New Avengers".{{issue}} During the [[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]] storyline the friction with [[Norman Osborn]] is developed leading to her apparent death. The Ms. Marvel alias is used by [[Moonstone (comics)|Moonstone]] in ''[[Dark Avengers]]''<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19654 "The Osborn Supremacy: Dark Avengers]", ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'', January 22, 2008</ref> and starting with ''Ms. Marvel'' #38, Moonstone also becomes the main character in that title.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010922-Ms-Marvel-Reed.html Brian Reed: The 'Dark' Future of Ms. Marvel], [[Newsarama]], January 22, 2009</ref> |
A second ''Ms. Marvel'' comic book series launched in March 2006. The series was spun out of the events of "[[House of M]]", in which the character (who had fallen into obscurity over the years, mainly known only as being the source of Rogue's additional superpowers) found her heart's desire of being the most famous superhero of all time fulfilled by the [[Scarlet Witch]]'s reality warp. She also appeared regularly in the pages of "The Mighty Avengers", as the team's leader. Following the events of [[Secret Invasion]], she is now a member of the "New Avengers".{{issue}} During the [[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]] storyline the friction with [[Norman Osborn]] is developed leading to her apparent death. The Ms. Marvel alias is used by [[Moonstone (comics)|Moonstone]] in ''[[Dark Avengers]]''<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19654 "The Osborn Supremacy: Dark Avengers]", ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'', January 22, 2008</ref> and starting with ''Ms. Marvel'' #38, Moonstone also becomes the main character in that title.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010922-Ms-Marvel-Reed.html Brian Reed: The 'Dark' Future of Ms. Marvel], [[Newsarama]], January 22, 2009</ref> |
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==Fictional character biography== |
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===Early years=== |
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⚫ | Carol Danvers was born in [[Boston, Massachusetts]] to Joseph and Marie Danvers and has two brothers, Steven and Joseph, Jr. (Joe). Steven died in the [[Vietnam War]]. Years later, while Rogue was in possession of Danvers' memories, Danvers would visit the [[Vietnam Veterans Memorial|Vietnam Memorial]], apologizing to him for not being able to visit recently.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men #246''</ref> |
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When Danvers was a young girl, she hitchhiked to [[Cape Canaveral]] to see a shuttle launch. Her father "beat the tar out of her," but she never stopped wanting to fly.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men #164''</ref> Since her father didn't want her to go to college, Danvers instead joined the [[United States Air Force]] to fulfill her love of flying. She was a pilot who later became an Air Force intelligence operative. She later became the NASA security chief.<ref>''Marvel Super-Heroes'' Vol. 1 #13</ref> She served alongside her mentor/lover Michael Rossi and encountered [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]], [[Nick Fury]], and [[Thing (comics)|Ben Grimm]] during this time. She became a close ally and romantic interest to [[Mar-Vell|Captain Marvel]] (Mar-Vell), an alien of the [[Kree]] military who gave up his mission of conquering the Earth and instead chose to protect it. |
When Danvers was a young girl, she hitchhiked to [[Cape Canaveral]] to see a shuttle launch. Her father "beat the tar out of her," but she never stopped wanting to fly.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men #164''</ref> Since her father didn't want her to go to college, Danvers instead joined the [[United States Air Force]] to fulfill her love of flying. She was a pilot who later became an Air Force intelligence operative. She later became the NASA security chief.<ref>''Marvel Super-Heroes'' Vol. 1 #13</ref> She served alongside her mentor/lover Michael Rossi and encountered [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]], [[Nick Fury]], and [[Thing (comics)|Ben Grimm]] during this time. She became a close ally and romantic interest to [[Mar-Vell|Captain Marvel]] (Mar-Vell), an alien of the [[Kree]] military who gave up his mission of conquering the Earth and instead chose to protect it. |
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===Solo Series=== |
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Carol Danvers becomes Ms. Marvel after she is caught in the radiation emitted by the explosion of the Kree "Psyche-Magnitron" device. Being carried in Captain Marvel's arms as he rushes her from the cave containing the Psyche-Magnitron, the radiation washes through both their bodies, somehow imbuing Carol with powers similar to Captain Marvel's.<ref>''Captain Marvel'' #18</ref> The device alters her [[DNA]] to resemble that of the Kree, and in the process, she gains [[superhuman]] strength and durability, the ability to fly, the ability to instantly change to her costume and back, and a precognitive "seventh sense" that provides her with a feeling of what is immediately about to happen (for example, when a foe is about to attack her). |
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At first Ms. Marvel's strength and flight are enabled by circuitry built into the costume, however an overload to the circuitry during battle soon transfers the powers to Ms. Marvel permanently, and the "powers through circuitry created by radiation" explanation has never been mentioned since. |
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Her first costume is based directly on Mar-Vell's second costume, a red outfit with blue mask, gloves and boots, though with her legs and belly bare, and a long red scarf around her neck; this costume has appeared on numerous "Worst Of" comic book related lists as the Worst Female Superhero Costume Ever. Her later, more prominently featured costume is a blue ensemble with a stylized lightning bolt across the chest, along with a red sash around her waist. |
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At first not aware of being Ms. Marvel, Danvers experiences blackouts, during which she transforms into her Ms. Marvel alter-ego. Soon Danvers and Ms. Marvel learn of each other and merge into one mind. Danvers becomes editor of ''Woman Magazine'' under [[J. Jonah Jameson]] and considers dating her psychologist, Michael Burnett. She fights a number of villains as Ms. Marvel, including [[Deathbird]], [[MODOK]], [[Advanced Idea Mechanics|A.I.M.]], and the [[Mac Gargan|Scorpion]]. |
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===Mystique=== |
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Near the end of her original ongoing series, Ms. Marvel is targeted by a blue skinned shapeshifter named [[Mystique (comics)|Mystique]]. In the final issue of the series, Ms. Marvel's therapist and would-be love interest is murdered by Mystique. In the unpublished ''Ms. Marvel'' #s 24 and 25, it is revealed that Mystique seeks Danvers' death due to the predictions of Mystique's precognitive lesbian lover [[Destiny (Irene Adler)|Destiny]] that Carol will destroy Mystique's adopted daughter [[Rogue (comics)|Rogue]]. |
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===Avengers=== |
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During the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]' Korvac Saga, the team is kidnapped by the Collector and used as part of his personal army to defeat the cosmic powered Michael Korvac. Ms Marvel aids the Avengers during this battle, and afterwards, when the team's government handler, Henry Peter Gyrich, orders an overhaul of its roster lineup, Ms. Marvel is granted full-time membership with the Avengers. |
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===Marcus and rape=== |
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Her time on the team would be short-lived, as one day Ms. Marvel woke to find herself pregnant after blacking out while piloting a Quinjet. The original plan was for the pregnancy, of which Ms. Marvel soon found herself ready to give birth after only a couple of days of being pregnant, was for Ms. Marvel to have been kidnapped and used for Skrull breeding experiments, in order to create a new race of beings similar to the Supreme Intelligence. But editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] vetoed the storyline, citing that a similar storyline (conceived without series writer [[David Michelinie]]'s knowledge) in the pages of ''What If?'' (#20, "What if the Avengers Lost the Kree-Skrull War"?) had already done the plotline of a baby version of the Supreme Intelligence and refused to allow Michelenie to continue with the storyline. |
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So ''Avengers #200'' was rewritten, to feature a new ending to the storyline and to send Ms. Marvel out of the series, since Michelinie no longer wanted to use her since his planned storyline for the character was vetoed. Danvers' baby was a healthy black haired boy, who quickly grew to adulthood as the barriers between the past and future within New York City began to collapse, bringing dinosaurs, medieval knights, and futuristic technology into the city. The child, calling himself Marcus, revealed that he was the forgotten son of Immortus, stranded in [[Limbo (comics)|Limbo]] due to him being born in the alternate dimension. He had kidnapped Carol and over the course of several days and use of hypnotic suggestion based powers, romanced Carol into making love to him via a series of romantic themed scenarios based upon pre-French Revolution Paris. Carol ultimately consented and in the act of passion, Carol became pregnant with a child who was Marcus, having transferred his mind and life essence inside of Danvers' womb, then returning her home to give birth to Marcus, freeing him from Limbo. |
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By this point though, Marcus realized that his presence inside the timestream was the true cause of the onslaught of temporal anomalies threatening Earth. Creating a device to send himself back to Limbo, Carol shocked her teammates with her proclamation to join Marcus, having suddenly fallen madly in love with the man. Despite her teammate Hawkeye's strong objections towards this move, the Avengers stood back as Carol and Marcus left Earth. |
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The story itself became a lightning rod of controversy, with many fans believing that Danvers' relationship with Marcus amounted to rape. Feminist and devoted comic book historian [[Carol A. Strickland]] harshly criticized the Marcus storyline, with an essay titled "The Rape of Ms. Marvel", that appeared in comics [[fanzine]] ''LoC'' #1 (1981).<ref>[http://www.carolastrickland.com/comics/msmarvel/index.html Strickland, Carol A. "The Rape of Ms. Marvel," LoC (1981).] Retrieved August 6, 2008.</ref> |
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Similarly, [[Chris Claremont]], writer of the solo title, saw the relationship as rape via mind control,<ref>Claremont commented upon Danvers and the events of ''Avengers'' #200 in the ''X-Men Companion 2,'' (Fantagraphics Books, 1982); quoted in http://www.carolastrickland.com/comics/msmarvel/msmarvel3.html</ref>. He felt compelled to rectify the storyline. |
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In ''Avengers Annual'' #10, the character's next appearance, Danvers lashed out at her teammates over their decision to take her at her word that she had fallen in love with Marcus. Danvers proclaimed that not only had Marcus used hypnotic powers to make her have sex with him, but also used said power to force her to leave Earth and spend the rest of her life with her rapist. Ironically, Carol reveals that Marcus's scheme to escape Limbo ultimately proved fatal towards him, as his new body rapidly began to age once the two returned to Limbo, killing him and reducing his remains to dust. Only when Marcus died, did Carol regain her own free will, as the realization of what Marcus did to her (forcing her to have sex with him) and how the Avengers had fallen for his lies and manipulation of her, allowing him to effectively kidnap Carol for future defilement at his hands. |
In ''Avengers Annual'' #10, the character's next appearance, Danvers lashed out at her teammates over their decision to take her at her word that she had fallen in love with Marcus. Danvers proclaimed that not only had Marcus used hypnotic powers to make her have sex with him, but also used said power to force her to leave Earth and spend the rest of her life with her rapist. Ironically, Carol reveals that Marcus's scheme to escape Limbo ultimately proved fatal towards him, as his new body rapidly began to age once the two returned to Limbo, killing him and reducing his remains to dust. Only when Marcus died, did Carol regain her own free will, as the realization of what Marcus did to her (forcing her to have sex with him) and how the Avengers had fallen for his lies and manipulation of her, allowing him to effectively kidnap Carol for future defilement at his hands. |
Revision as of 15:02, 28 January 2009
Ms. Marvel | |
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File:MsMARVEL cov.jpg Variant Cover to Ms. Marvel vol. 2, #1. Art by Michael Turner. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (March 1968) |
Created by | Roy Thomas Gene Colan |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Carol Susan Jane Danvers |
Species | Human (empowered) |
Team affiliations | United States Air Force NASA S.H.I.E.L.D. X-Men Starjammers Avengers Mighty Avengers New Avengers |
Notable aliases | Binary, Warbird, Captain Marvel, Sentress |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability Energy projection and absorption Flight |
Ms. Marvel (Carol Susan Jane Danvers), also known as Binary and Warbird is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan, the character first appeared (as the non-superpowered Carol Danvers) in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (Mar. 1968) and as Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel #1 (Jan. 1977).
Publication history
Carol Danvers debuted as a supporting cast-member in the premiere of the science fiction feature "Captain Marvel" in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (March 1968), continuing on into the spin-off series Captain Marvel. Gaining superpowers to become the superhero Ms. Marvel, she starred in her own namesake series in the mid-1970s. before being spun off into her own ongoing series. Ms. Marvel ran 23 issues (Jan. 1977 - April 1979), written initially by Gerry Conway and, after a co-written issue, by Chris Claremont through the end of this first volume's run.[1] Issue #24 and two-thirds of #25 were drawn when the series was canceled, with elements of those issues later incorporated in in issues of 'Uncanny X-Men. Originally, the contents of issue #24 and a completed version of #25 were to have run in the Marvel Comics anthology series Marvel Fanfare, though for unspecified reasons this did not come to pass.[2]
It would not be until 1992, in the quarterly anthology series Marvel Super-Heroes (#10-11 or 1992 Summer and Fall issues, since the series did not carry its issue number on its cover), that the two lost issues saw print, along with the original planned cover for Ms. Marvel #24 and the artwork planned for #25. Marvel writer Simon Furman and artist Mike Gustovich were brought in to finish issue #25 (of which the original pages ended right before a fight scene involving Ms. Marvel and Pyro). Furman's ending quickly wrapped up the fight scene and the plotline involving Mystique's scheme to con the Hellfire Club out of an arsenal of weapons they were trafficking. It concluded with Rogue overhearing Destiny and Mystique talking about Destiny's prediction that Ms. Marvel would do something vaguely "horrific" to Rogue and going out to kill Ms. Marvel, to prove herself worthy of becoming an active member of the Brotherhood of Evil. During the battle, Rogue ended up accidentally absorbing Ms Marvel's powers, permenantly stealing her mind and powers as a result. This of course, completely contradicted Avengers Annual #10, where Rogue stealing Ms. Marvel's powers was not an impulsive deed but as part of an elaborate jailbreak of the imprisoned members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
For the bulk of the 1980s and 1990s, Danvers (now known as Binary) was shifted into limbo save for occasional cameo appearances in New Mutants and the X-Men mini-series "Spotlight On: The Starjammers". The character would ultimately be incorporated into the Avengers franchise, starting with the "Operation Galactic Storm" crossover and later rejoining the team full-time as part of the 1997 "Heroes Reborn" relaunch of the Avengers. She also would be a supporting cast member in the pages of Iron Man during this time as well.
A second Ms. Marvel comic book series launched in March 2006. The series was spun out of the events of "House of M", in which the character (who had fallen into obscurity over the years, mainly known only as being the source of Rogue's additional superpowers) found her heart's desire of being the most famous superhero of all time fulfilled by the Scarlet Witch's reality warp. She also appeared regularly in the pages of "The Mighty Avengers", as the team's leader. Following the events of Secret Invasion, she is now a member of the "New Avengers".[volume & issue needed] During the Dark Reign storyline the friction with Norman Osborn is developed leading to her apparent death. The Ms. Marvel alias is used by Moonstone in Dark Avengers[3] and starting with Ms. Marvel #38, Moonstone also becomes the main character in that title.[4]
Fictional character biography
Early years
Carol Danvers was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Joseph and Marie Danvers and has two brothers, Steven and Joseph, Jr. (Joe). Steven died in the Vietnam War. Years later, while Rogue was in possession of Danvers' memories, Danvers would visit the Vietnam Memorial, apologizing to him for not being able to visit recently.[5]
When Danvers was a young girl, she hitchhiked to Cape Canaveral to see a shuttle launch. Her father "beat the tar out of her," but she never stopped wanting to fly.[6] Since her father didn't want her to go to college, Danvers instead joined the United States Air Force to fulfill her love of flying. She was a pilot who later became an Air Force intelligence operative. She later became the NASA security chief.[7] She served alongside her mentor/lover Michael Rossi and encountered Wolverine, Nick Fury, and Ben Grimm during this time. She became a close ally and romantic interest to Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), an alien of the Kree military who gave up his mission of conquering the Earth and instead chose to protect it.
Solo Series
Carol Danvers becomes Ms. Marvel after she is caught in the radiation emitted by the explosion of the Kree "Psyche-Magnitron" device. Being carried in Captain Marvel's arms as he rushes her from the cave containing the Psyche-Magnitron, the radiation washes through both their bodies, somehow imbuing Carol with powers similar to Captain Marvel's.[8] The device alters her DNA to resemble that of the Kree, and in the process, she gains superhuman strength and durability, the ability to fly, the ability to instantly change to her costume and back, and a precognitive "seventh sense" that provides her with a feeling of what is immediately about to happen (for example, when a foe is about to attack her).
At first Ms. Marvel's strength and flight are enabled by circuitry built into the costume, however an overload to the circuitry during battle soon transfers the powers to Ms. Marvel permanently, and the "powers through circuitry created by radiation" explanation has never been mentioned since.
Her first costume is based directly on Mar-Vell's second costume, a red outfit with blue mask, gloves and boots, though with her legs and belly bare, and a long red scarf around her neck; this costume has appeared on numerous "Worst Of" comic book related lists as the Worst Female Superhero Costume Ever. Her later, more prominently featured costume is a blue ensemble with a stylized lightning bolt across the chest, along with a red sash around her waist.
At first not aware of being Ms. Marvel, Danvers experiences blackouts, during which she transforms into her Ms. Marvel alter-ego. Soon Danvers and Ms. Marvel learn of each other and merge into one mind. Danvers becomes editor of Woman Magazine under J. Jonah Jameson and considers dating her psychologist, Michael Burnett. She fights a number of villains as Ms. Marvel, including Deathbird, MODOK, A.I.M., and the Scorpion.
Mystique
Near the end of her original ongoing series, Ms. Marvel is targeted by a blue skinned shapeshifter named Mystique. In the final issue of the series, Ms. Marvel's therapist and would-be love interest is murdered by Mystique. In the unpublished Ms. Marvel #s 24 and 25, it is revealed that Mystique seeks Danvers' death due to the predictions of Mystique's precognitive lesbian lover Destiny that Carol will destroy Mystique's adopted daughter Rogue.
Avengers
During the Avengers' Korvac Saga, the team is kidnapped by the Collector and used as part of his personal army to defeat the cosmic powered Michael Korvac. Ms Marvel aids the Avengers during this battle, and afterwards, when the team's government handler, Henry Peter Gyrich, orders an overhaul of its roster lineup, Ms. Marvel is granted full-time membership with the Avengers.
Marcus and rape
Her time on the team would be short-lived, as one day Ms. Marvel woke to find herself pregnant after blacking out while piloting a Quinjet. The original plan was for the pregnancy, of which Ms. Marvel soon found herself ready to give birth after only a couple of days of being pregnant, was for Ms. Marvel to have been kidnapped and used for Skrull breeding experiments, in order to create a new race of beings similar to the Supreme Intelligence. But editor-in-chief Jim Shooter vetoed the storyline, citing that a similar storyline (conceived without series writer David Michelinie's knowledge) in the pages of What If? (#20, "What if the Avengers Lost the Kree-Skrull War"?) had already done the plotline of a baby version of the Supreme Intelligence and refused to allow Michelenie to continue with the storyline.
So Avengers #200 was rewritten, to feature a new ending to the storyline and to send Ms. Marvel out of the series, since Michelinie no longer wanted to use her since his planned storyline for the character was vetoed. Danvers' baby was a healthy black haired boy, who quickly grew to adulthood as the barriers between the past and future within New York City began to collapse, bringing dinosaurs, medieval knights, and futuristic technology into the city. The child, calling himself Marcus, revealed that he was the forgotten son of Immortus, stranded in Limbo due to him being born in the alternate dimension. He had kidnapped Carol and over the course of several days and use of hypnotic suggestion based powers, romanced Carol into making love to him via a series of romantic themed scenarios based upon pre-French Revolution Paris. Carol ultimately consented and in the act of passion, Carol became pregnant with a child who was Marcus, having transferred his mind and life essence inside of Danvers' womb, then returning her home to give birth to Marcus, freeing him from Limbo.
By this point though, Marcus realized that his presence inside the timestream was the true cause of the onslaught of temporal anomalies threatening Earth. Creating a device to send himself back to Limbo, Carol shocked her teammates with her proclamation to join Marcus, having suddenly fallen madly in love with the man. Despite her teammate Hawkeye's strong objections towards this move, the Avengers stood back as Carol and Marcus left Earth.
The story itself became a lightning rod of controversy, with many fans believing that Danvers' relationship with Marcus amounted to rape. Feminist and devoted comic book historian Carol A. Strickland harshly criticized the Marcus storyline, with an essay titled "The Rape of Ms. Marvel", that appeared in comics fanzine LoC #1 (1981).[9]
Similarly, Chris Claremont, writer of the solo title, saw the relationship as rape via mind control,[10]. He felt compelled to rectify the storyline.
In Avengers Annual #10, the character's next appearance, Danvers lashed out at her teammates over their decision to take her at her word that she had fallen in love with Marcus. Danvers proclaimed that not only had Marcus used hypnotic powers to make her have sex with him, but also used said power to force her to leave Earth and spend the rest of her life with her rapist. Ironically, Carol reveals that Marcus's scheme to escape Limbo ultimately proved fatal towards him, as his new body rapidly began to age once the two returned to Limbo, killing him and reducing his remains to dust. Only when Marcus died, did Carol regain her own free will, as the realization of what Marcus did to her (forcing her to have sex with him) and how the Avengers had fallen for his lies and manipulation of her, allowing him to effectively kidnap Carol for future defilement at his hands.
Loss of powers to Rogue
In Avengers Annual #10 (1981), Ms. Marvel is found by Spider-Woman, floating in the water below the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. Carol is literally mindless, having had her mind wiped clean by parties unknown. It is ultimately revealed that Carol was assaulted by the mutant Rogue, who ambushed her and used her ability to absorb others super-powers via physical contact to permanently steal Danvers' powers and memories.
Spider-Woman contacts the X-Men who try to reverse the damage done to Carol by Rogue. Ironically, Rogue's attack has failed to erase Danvers' subconscious, which allows Xavier to completely restore Danvers' memories and personality, though he is unable to restore Danvers' emotional connection to most of her memories.
Along with Mystique, Rogue with her newly stolen powers attacks the Avengers as part of a complex scheme to bust their teammates in the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants out of jail. The jailbreak ultimately fails, though Rogue escapes capture in the end. When the Avengers hear that Carol has returned to Earth, they visit their friend, now staying with the X-Men, to ask why she did not contact the Avengers about returning. When Thor asks about Marcus, Carol unloads her anger at the Avengers over their doing nothing to stop her kidnapping and rape.
Binary and the X-Men
Danvers stays away from the Avengers for quite some time and engages in a series of adventures with the X-Men.
Her adventures with the X-Men culminate in the entire team’s forced transportation to outer space by the alien race known as the Brood. The Brood perform painful medical experiments on Danvers which cause her to gain tremendous superpowers, including superhuman strength and the abilities to survive in space and manipulate cosmic energy. The source of these powers is attributed to a "white hole" — a limitless source of cosmic power.
Danvers is known as Binary. In her cosmic energy form, her hair becomes a corona of flame and she dons a red-and-white costume with a stylized black starburst on the breast.
The "second Ms. Marvel"
Cover to Uncanny X-Men #269.
Art by Jim Lee.
As for Rogue, at first she unashamedly indulged in the use of her stolen powers, showing zero remorse for what she had done to Ms. Marvel. However, as weeks passed, the stolen memories of Carol Danvers began to manifest themselves, ultimately taking the form of a new personality that usurped Rogue's body from the young mutant for its own use. This caused Rogue to have a nervous breakdown, ultimately driving her to the X-Men for help with her growing insanity. Professor Xavier agreed to take Rogue in, much to the horror of Carol, who responded by beating Rogue up and leaving Earth to join the Starjammers.
This alternate personality version of Ms Marvel made her first appearance in Uncanny X-Men #182, when it took over Rogue's body and saved Ms. Marvel's former boyfriend Mike Rossi from Hellfire Club agents that Rossi had discovered infiltrating SHIELD. She took Rossi to the Danvers family beach house to recover, and experienced memories of her childhood with her brothers. When Rossi woke up, he saw Rogue, with Carol's voice and mannerisms. He denounced Rogue, who fled the house in shame. After another appearance in Uncanny X-Men #203, the personality was given the spotlight in Uncanny X-Men #235-238, when the Ms Marvel persona took over Rogue's body again when a powerless Rogue was molested by Genosha Magistrates. Teaming up with Wolverine, it was revealed that this "phantom" Carol had all of the real Danvers' memories, including memories of past adventures with Wolverine, citing a caper where Wolverine broke ranks with his government handlers to rescue Carol from KGB operatives in Berlin. In Uncanny X-Men #239, it was shown that "Phantom" Carol could completely control Rogue's power (a feat Rogue is still incapable of achieving); it was also established that, having fully emerged within Rogue's mind, Carol was not to be easily dismissed, and was capable of asserting control over Rogue's body without her consent.
In Uncanny X-Men #246-247, "Phantom" Carol obtained a copy of her old costume which she intended to force Rogue to wear during a visit to New York City, to visit the Vietnam Memorial which had her brother's name inscribed onto it. The visit was cut short when the villainous Sentinel Master Mold returned and began wreaking havoc in the city. Phantom Carol attacked Master Mold but was quickly knocked unconscious after several blows from the giant robot, allowing Rogue to regain control over her body. As the X-Men arrived to help stop the robot, Rogue ultimately sacrificed herself to banish the robot through the mystical gateway known as the Siege Perilous.
Rogue's travels through the Siege Perilous would differ from most: she would not exit the realm of the Siege Perilous until Uncanny X-Men #269, with both her and "Phantom" Carol having their memories intact; more significantly, the two were now separate physical beings. "Phantom" Carol retained her Ms. Marvel powers while Rogue lacked both Carol's and her own powers; Carol also harbored her desire to finally gain revenge against Rogue by killing her. When Rogue fled to the mutant teleporter Gateway, he sent the two women to opposite corners of the Earth, Rogue to the Savage Land and "Phantom" Carol to Muir Island, where the Shadow King took control over her mind and sent her to kill Rogue. At this point, "Phantom" Carol was now a decaying zombie type figure, as it was revealed that both women were sharing the same life force, which could only sustain one of them. Shadow King had weakened Carol, causing the life force (and powers) to go to Rogue. Rogue would have died if not for the intervention of Magneto. Through unknown means, Magneto killed "Phantom" Carol, ensuring that Rogue would receive her life force and powers, securing her survival.
Warbird
Eventually, Danvers' Binary powers were exhausted when she used them to cleanse the sun of sunspots that threatened to destroy the solar system during Operation Galactic Storm. As such, she loses her cosmic-level powers as Binary. She retains a level of superhuman strength, flight, resistance to injury, and enhanced senses comparable to those she once possessed before her battle with Rogue, as well as the power to manipulate and absorb energy. Though initially staying in retirement on Earth, Carol rejoins the Avengers following the events of Avengers V3 #1-4 and changes her code name to Warbird, while donning her second Ms. Marvel costume. She does not use the codename Ms. Marvel because, during her absence from Earth superhero work, Sharon Ventura, a member of the Fantastic Four, has assumed the name.
Insecurity about her powers no longer being what they once were, combined with a brief restoration of the emotional ties that Rogue had drained, cause Carol to become an alcoholic. When she is unable to function in a coherent capacity, a humiliated Danvers quits the Avengers rather than be expelled. With the help of fellow alcoholic Tony Stark, Danvers curbs her drinking and stabilizes her powers. She rejoins the Avengers for a few missions but leaves again in 2003 to work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
House of M
When Quicksilver convinces his sister Scarlet Witch to create a new world where mutants are the dominant species on Earth, most normal humans are viewed as second-class citizens with some exceptions. Danvers is one of these but still becomes the "greatest hero" on this Earth, going by the name "Captain Marvel" which is given to her by Magneto after she helps him defeat the Sentinels over Manhattan. She even has her own archnemesis, Sir Warren Traveler and is an ex-member of S.H.I.E.L.D.[11]
When the world reverts, Danvers retains her memories and is motivated by the realization of her potential, and she concentrates on reinvigorating her career. Danvers retakes the name Ms. Marvel and strikes out on her own, turning down an offer to join the reformed Avengers and leaving her Homeland Security job. Danvers hires a public relations firm. She has a rematch with the Brood and meets a mysterious alien hunter named Cru.[12]
Ms. Marvel joins forces with the New Avengers during the New Avengers/Transformers crossover. Because of her Kree nature, her anger is amplified as a result of the aggression machine that Megatron stole.
Civil War
Ms. Marvel joins the faction of superheroes aligned with Iron Man in enforcing the Superhuman Registration Act.[13] She battles fellow Avenger Silverclaw.[14] Danvers then works with Wonder Man and Arachne (Julia Carpenter, formerly Spider-Woman II) to train novice superheroes and hunt down anti-Registration heroes. Her first recruit is Araña.
Arachne is revealed to be acting against the Superhuman Registration Act, which results in Carol arresting her. Carol believes she has done the right thing but is upset by the trauma the incident causes Arachne's daughter.[15] Araña is later critically injured while attempting to help Carol against Doomsday Man, as he rips off the carapace which becomes part of her body when she is in battle.[16] Araña recovers, but her father takes out a restraining order against Carol.
Later, Arachne escapes and confronts Carol about the whereabouts of her daughter. Carol tells Julia her daughter was left at the Carpenter family home with her parents. When Julia tells her the house is empty, Carol reluctantly uses her government connections to help Julia track down her daughter. Determined to make things right, she helps Julia visit and ultimately reclaim her daughter from Julia's parents, who have legal custody of the child and, in the aftermath of Julia's property-damaging arrest, regard Julia as a dangerous criminal who is unfit to be a mother. Carol and Tony Stark work out an agreement in which Julia will serve her time in government service by joining the Canadian superhero team Omega Flight. Julia agrees, although she says she can neither forget nor forgive what Carol did to her and her daughter.
Carol vs. Carol
Art by Mike Wieringo.
Shortly following the arrest of Julia Carpenter, Carol returns home to find Rogue in her apartment. Rogue informs Carol there's a problem between them, and that they're going to solve it.
The problem is the discovery of another woman in Danvers' apartment, whom Beast deduces to be an alternate-Earth Carol Danvers. The alternate Carol, named Warbird, earlier attacked Rogue.[17]
Warbird, who has never fully recovered from her battle with her Earth's Rogue, is an embittered alcoholic. When the Avengers send out a call for assistance during the Brood's assault, she ignores it and, consequently, her Earth is destroyed. A combination of the shockwave released by the planet's destruction and her own energy absorption powers tosses Warbird across several universes before bringing her to the "real" Earth.
Upon learning of Warbird's behavior, Carol does not hide her rage and disgust, and a fight between the two ensues. During the course of the battle, Rogue intervenes; in a fit of anger Carol attacks her and breaks her ribs. Warbird tells Carol that since her world was destroyed, she has been to dozens of alternate Earths, and not only did she kill every version of Rogue she has found, she has murdered every version of Carol Danvers as well (each Carol would intervene on Rogue's behalf). Infuriated, Carol defeats Warbird, who is taken into custody.
Carol later returns to the Xavier Institute to check on Rogue, and questions whether she has truly forgiven her. After the ordeal, Carol flies into space where she can unleash her rage in a place that "nobody can hear her scream."
Mighty Avengers
Carol accompanies Tony Stark as he investigates an A.I.M. terrorist attack in Indianapolis that killed ninety-six people, and the two argue over the Civil War. Carol punches Tony, knowing his armor will protect him. She is surprised when he later offers her leadership of the Mighty Avengers. Danvers' publicist, who had suggested the new team name to Tony in the first place, encourages her to accept the job. Carol is tempted by the chance of leading such a prominent team, but is disturbed by the number of smaller attacks that go unanswered due to bureaucratic red tape. Tony agrees to allow her access to S.H.I.E.L.D. files and personnel (Agents Locke, Baines, and Sum) in order to take out developing threats. Carol announces the Initiative (Operation: Lightning Storm) at a press conference, announcing that in their first mission, they took down the A.I.M. cell responsible for the Indianapolis attack.[18]
Carol assumes leadership of the Mighty Avengers, despite her reluctance to work against some of her old comrades who are members of the New Avengers. Carol was forced to take the lead very quickly due to the Ultron crisis, which her team came through successfully.[19][20]
Carol and Wonder Man have begun a romantic relationship. He has warned her, however, not to use her position as leader of the Avengers to keep him out of potentially dangerous situations just because of their relationship.[20] Although she remains on the side of registration, Carol is more prepared to 'look the other way' when dealing with non-registered heroes than some of her fellows; after Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum was attacked by The Hood and his crime syndicate, seeking revenge on the New Avengers for their recent defeat, Carol and her Operation: Lightning Storm team were sent to collect the criminals that Strange had immobilized, but she allowed the New Avengers to depart.[21] She also becomes a mentor towards Initiative recruit Ultra Girl, even giving Ultra Girl a new costume similar to her original one.[volume & issue needed]
When the Puppet Master kidnaps Araña and some other female heroes, Carol's rage is pushed to the limit. Araña tries to warn the members of Lightning Storm that this is the angriest she has ever seen Carol and is worried about what she's going to do. Carol doesn't kill the Puppet Master herself, but she lets him die. This act causes her to feel guilty for some time and question just how heroic she really is.[22]
Carol temporarily shared her body, unknowingly, with the Brood hunter Cru. Cru's influence over her body caused injuries to heal more rapidly than they should. Carol discovered Cru's presence after being taken to Monster Island. Cru deactivated her powers so he could talk to Carol Danvers rather than Ms. Marvel. This backfired when they were forced to fight the Brood Queen, who was thought to have been killed in the destruction of Broodworld, but was revealed to be both alive and transformed into living crystal. The Queen easily defeated and apparently killed the powerless Carol. However, she was quickly resurrected, with full access to her cosmic level powers. This was only temporary, but she still managed to defeat the Queen.[23]
In the time before the events of Secret Invasion, but after the events of One More Day, an angry Carol attempts to arrest Spider-Man for his refusal to register, however they team up to save New York. Spider-Man leaves Carol a message, telling her that while he sees her point, the dangers that registering will bring to his loved ones prevent him from ever doing so. She calms down until the message reveals that Spider-Man plans to boast that he scored with her, making Carol furious all over again and attempt to track him down once more. An amused Peter Parker looks up at the sky, seeing an enraged Carol flying around screaming for him.[24]
Ms. Marvel also plays a significant role in the limited series Secret Invasion (June 2008 - Jan. 2009) against the alien shape-shifting Skrulls, and in issues #30 - 34 (May - Oct. 2008) of her own title she battles the invaders to the death on several occasions.
Powers and abilities
The character initially possessed superhuman strength; endurance, stamina; flight and a limited precognitive "seventh sense". As Binary, the character could tap the energy of a "white hole", allowing manipulation of stellar energies. This allowed control of heat; the electromagnetic spectrum; gravity; the ability to exceed light speed and exist in the vacuum of space. The link to these additional powers was later lost, and then restored briefly on two occasions.
The character is also an espionage agent and talented writer.
Alternate versions
Exiles
An evil version of the character joins the alternate universe explorers Weapon X in Exiles #38 (Feb. 2004), becoming the lover of master villain Hyperion. The character is later killed in Exiles #45 (June 2004).
Marvel Mangaverse
As seen in Marvel Mangaverse: Avengers Assemble #1 (Mar. 2002), the character retains her military persona as Lt. Carol Danvers USAF.
Ultimate Marvel
Art by Stuart Immonen.
In the universe, of the Ultimates, Danvers has no super powers, and instead relies on advanced S.H.I.E.L.D. technology. In Ultimate Power #9 (Feb. 2008), the character becomes acting Director of spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D. after Nick Fury's disappearance.
X-Men: The End=
In the limited series X-Men: The End vol. 1 - 3 (Oct. 2004 - Aug. 2006), the character exists as pure energy and controls the spaceship the Starjammer.
In other media
Television
- Carol Danvers appears in the X-Men animated series in the Season 2 episode "A Rogue's Tale".
Video games
- Carol/Ms. Marvel appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by April Stewart.
References
- ^ [http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/msmarvel.htm#S146 The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators: Ms. Marvel (1977-1979)
- ^ Editorial, Uncanny X-Men #158 (June 1982)
- ^ "The Osborn Supremacy: Dark Avengers", Comic Book Resources, January 22, 2008
- ^ Brian Reed: The 'Dark' Future of Ms. Marvel, Newsarama, January 22, 2009
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #246
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #164
- ^ Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #13
- ^ Captain Marvel #18
- ^ Strickland, Carol A. "The Rape of Ms. Marvel," LoC (1981). Retrieved August 6, 2008.
- ^ Claremont commented upon Danvers and the events of Avengers #200 in the X-Men Companion 2, (Fantagraphics Books, 1982); quoted in http://www.carolastrickland.com/comics/msmarvel/msmarvel3.html
- ^ House of M: Civil War #5
- ^ Ms. Marvel #1-3
- ^ Civil War #2
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 1 #538
- ^ Ms Marvel vol. 2 #1
- ^ Ms Marvel vol. 2 #12
- ^ Ms. Marvel vol. 2 #9
- ^ Ms Marvel vol. 2 #13
- ^ Mighty Avengers #1(2007)
- ^ a b Mighty Avengers #6(2007)
- ^ New Avengers Annual #2 (2008)
- ^ Ms Marvel 18-20
- ^ Ms. Marvel #23
- ^ Ms. Marvel Annual (2008)
External links
- This Woman, This Warrior: The Carol Danvers Homepage
- The Rape of Ms. Marvel article for LOC #1
- Spotlight on Ms. Marvel at UncannyX-Men.net
- Ms. Marvel at Captain Marvel Culture
- Template:Imdb character