Captain Marvel is one of Marvel Comics’ most enduring and important superhero titles. It began with Captain Mar-Vell, a powerful alien from the Kree race who gained his abilities from special bands. Over time, several heroes have taken up the Captain Marvel name and powers, often using those same bands. Regardless of how they get their abilities, all Captain Marvels are incredibly powerful, with strengths like super-strength, speed, the ability to fly, and energy blasts. These powers allow them to accomplish amazing feats, protecting planets and even stars, making them among Marvel’s strongest heroes. Known for their cosmic powers and adventures in space, Captain Marvels are truly protectors of the universe.
Throughout the universe, those who have held the title of Captain Marvel – whether they’re Kree or human – have repeatedly saved countless lives.
7) Khn’nr
During the Civil War storyline, a figure seemingly resurrected the original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, decades after his death. However, it was later discovered that this individual was actually a Skrull spy named Khn’nr, a shapeshifter sent to help the Skrulls invade Earth. Khn’nr had been given Mar-Vell’s memories, making him believe he was the original hero. Once he learned the truth, Khn’nr struggled with his mission and his growing sense of heroism. Ultimately, he defied the Skrull Empire, attacking their invading fleet and destroying many ships before being defeated and killed. Though he began as a fake, Khn’nr ultimately proved himself a true hero worthy of the Captain Marvel name.
6) Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr, also known as Marvel Boy, is a Kree superhero who came to Earth from another universe. He first arrived as a destructive force and was imprisoned, but Norman Osborn released him and recruited him for his Dark Avengers team, where Noh-Varr briefly went by Captain Marvel. Realizing Osborn was manipulating the team, Noh-Varr left and sought to become a true hero, joining the Avengers as the Protector. He later reverted to his original Marvel Boy identity and is now a powerful member of the Young Avengers.
5) Genis-Vell
Genis-Vell, a clone of the original Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), eventually took on his father’s role and powers, including the cosmic Nega-Bands. Created by Mar-Vell’s partner, Elysius, Genis was artificially aged to adulthood. Upon discovering his origins, he became the new Captain Marvel. However, developing cosmic awareness – essentially becoming all-knowing – drove him insane. In a disturbed state, he destroyed and rebuilt the entire universe. Filled with remorse, he changed his name to Photon and joined the Thunderbolts, but was later killed by Baron Zemo. Even after being brought back to life, Genis-Vell continues to struggle with mental instability and is easily influenced, causing him to sometimes act heroically and other times as a villain.
4) Phyla-Vell
Phyla-Vell, originally a clone of Mar-Vell, was known by several names, including Quasar and Captain Marvel. She took on the Captain Marvel title and gained the Nega-Bands after her brother, Genis-Vell, suffered a mental breakdown. Later, she received the incredibly powerful Quantum Bands and became the Protector of the Universe, changing her name to Quasar and joining the new Guardians of the Galaxy. Eventually, she even became the physical form of the death god, Oblivion. Sadly, Thanos killed her, and a duplicate from another reality took her place. Despite this, Phyla-Vell remains a celebrated hero who saved the universe from threats like Annihilus, the Phalanx, and Ultron.
3) Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau became the second Captain Marvel and the first human with the title after an encounter with strange energy. This gave her the incredible ability to change her body into any form of energy, letting her fly, become incredibly strong, shoot energy blasts, become intangible or invisible, change size, and absorb energy. As Captain Marvel, she joined the Avengers, quickly becoming a powerful and sometimes leading member. Over time, she briefly lost and regained her powers, left the team, and experimented with different superhero names – Spectrum and Pulsar – before ultimately choosing Photon. She’s since returned to the Avengers and remains a key player.
2) Mar-Vell
The original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, was a celebrated warrior for the alien Kree Empire. They gave him special bands called the Nega-Bands, which greatly amplified his already impressive ability to absorb solar energy. While sent to Earth as a spy, Mar-Vell grew to love humanity and turned against the Kree. He became one of Marvel’s most powerful and honorable cosmic heroes, defending the universe both on his own and with the Avengers. Sadly, Mar-Vell passed away and remains deceased, unlike many other comic book heroes. However, his bravery inspired others to become Captain Marvel, carrying on his legacy.
1) Carol Danvers
Among all the characters who’ve held the Captain Marvel title, Carol Danvers is the most popular and well-known. As a hybrid of Kree and human DNA, she was a security chief at NASA when she first met Mar-Vell. After being exposed to powerful energy from his Nega-Bands, Carol gained similar superpowers. She first fought crime as Ms. Marvel and became a long-time member of the Avengers team. She briefly used the names Binary and Warbird before officially becoming Captain Marvel in 2012, as a tribute to Mar-Vell. Today, Carol is Marvel’s leading cosmic hero, has even led the Avengers, and is considered one of Earth’s strongest heroes and a truly iconic female character in comic books – the definitive Captain Marvel.
What do you think? Leave a Comment below and join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!
Read More
- Hazbin Hotel season 3 release date speculation and latest news
- FC 26 reveals free preview mode and 10 classic squads
- Dancing With The Stars Fans Want Terri Irwin To Compete, And Robert Irwin Shared His Honest Take
- Where Winds Meet: Best Weapon Combinations
- Red Dead Redemption Remaster Error Prevents Xbox Players from Free Upgrade
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- Is There a Smiling Friends Season 3 Episode 9 Release Date or Part 2?
- Walking Towards State Estimation: A New Boundary Condition Approach
- Where Winds Meet: How To Defeat Shadow Puppeteer (Boss Guide)
- Where to Find Tempest Blueprint in ARC Raiders
2025-12-05 18:13