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Which Captain Marvel is Greatest?

There's five of them. Let's compare and contrast.

    That OTHER cosmic legacy.
 That OTHER cosmic legacy.

Part of the fun of a rich continuity is seeing a superhero mantle become a “legacy” held by several names over the years. Like looking at the rosters of your favorite sports team, its intriguing to debate on how each bearer handled the role, reflected the times and, most importantly, compared to his successors or predecessors. Comic Vine’s friend, James Robinson, of course, explored this to great effect in his STARMAN run. While there are plenty of such legacies at DC,  there are actually only a few at Marvel. The characters who seem to have the successions are the captains - - there have been seven Captain Americas and five Captain Marvels - - and I suppose that's fitting given how captains are wont to get promoted and demoted in real life. 

Anyway, since I’ve always had a fondness for these "Protectors of the Universe," I figured I’d do some commentary and comparison of the five who've held this iconic title and perhaps even decide who my favorite is in the process.  == TEASER ==

No Caption Provided

#1: MAR-VELL

The originator. The traitor to the Kree empire. The "hero born from holocaust." His adventures in the 70s and earlys 80s didn't have the cohesive sweep of Jim Starlin's other cosmic hero, Adam Warlock, and I think that, in a lot of ways, he’s more interesting being dead. THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL is one of the most moving stories I’ve ever read in comics (superhero or otherwise) and I know that it's added considerably to the character's mythic and mystique. Furthering all of that, I throughly enjoy the messianic reinterpretation he got in the EARTH X saga. 

No Caption Provided

#2 MONICA RAMBEAU (AKA Photon & Pulsar)

Unfortunately, just by nature of the windows of when I was reading, I never really got enough “face time” with this lady to properly judge her. She made her debut the same year that Mar-Vell died and quickly came to lead the Avengers - - which was pretty ballsy for the time. She's also one of those possibly-overpowered characters, given the sheer range of energy at her disposal. Part of the appeal was that she was such a radical departure from the line, though I do think maybe she’s in need of somebody to properly retcon her to fit more into this lineage' s scheme.

No Caption Provided

#3 GENIS-VELL (AKA Legacy & Photon)

The lunatic. The misbegotten creation. The artificial son. Much like how Mar-Vell got more interesting when he was dead, I vastly preferred "insane" Genis over the straight man we saw for the first half of Peter David's run. It's a shame he was killed off so early in THUNDERBOLTS, long before his oft-prophesized romance with Songbird could fully develop. As an aside, I think both Carlos Pacheco’s starry redesign from AVENGERS FOREVER and Alex Ross' back-to-basics redesign are some of the sleekest costumes in all of comics. 

No Caption Provided

#4 PHYLA-VELL (AKA Quasar & Martyr) 

The heretic. The fraternal usurper. Joan of Arc in space. If the retcon that introduced Genis seemed like it came out of left field, then this came from a whole other ballpark. With time and distance, though, it fits more and more. She claimed the rights to the title while Genis still had it, but then went down her own, radical path. There was an odd tragedy to her situation as the last (and estranged, at that) survivor of the "House of Vell." She was just recently killed off in THANOS IMPERATIVE and, like Genis, I feel like we didn't get to see her fullest potential realized either.

No Caption Provided

#5 NOH-VARR (AKA Marvel Boy & the Protector)

The rebel. The once self-proclaimed enemy of Earth.  He’s my favorite of Grant Morrison’s creations and, not surprisingly, my favorite Captain Marvel (even though he technically “stole” the title during DARK REIGN.) If you've read the original MARVEL BOY mini-series, you know he’s got attitude to make Genis’ pony tail days look tame and his powers give Mar-Vell's a run in the "trippy" department. I'm so glad he's back in the fold in Avengers. Hopefully this punk will finally get his own title again one of these days. 

Of course, I have to mention the "unofficial" Captain Marvels like Quasar and Ms. Marvel, as well as Billy Batson and the totally-clever "background gag" Captain Marvel who showed up in Amalgam. All of you maniacs are free to agree or disagree... in fact I encourage it. Slap your Nega-Bands together and put your avatars forward for some heated discussion about which Captain's the best!

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comicbikerscott

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Edited By comicbikerscott

i agree whole harldly
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ccrosby

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Edited By ccrosby

I do like Mar-vell and  Noh-Varr a lot, but Genis-vel is my all time favorite (especially when his cosmic awareness made him go insane).

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versatilehearts

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Edited By versatilehearts
@Krakoa: THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!! 
 
 
 
No really, DC Captain Marvel> Marvel Capt. Marvel
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IrishX

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Edited By IrishX

Mar-Vell.

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Moomin123

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Edited By Moomin123
@Icarusflies said:
" @Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
 
 

"

There's only one word to reply to this...SHAZAM!
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Mbecks14

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Edited By Mbecks14

I dont understand why the picture of all the Starmen is there? why bother?

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<the skull>

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Edited By <the skull>
@The Average Bear:
your right but i just wanted to contribute
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GOUKI

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Edited By GOUKI
@Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
No Caption Provided

it will never get Old...
there's only 1...
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mathematicscore

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Edited By mathematicscore
@Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
No Caption Provided
Lol. Well, if I have to go against my usual grain and be serious, I'd go with #1, because I like the way Starlin did the whole Kree thing.  "
This.
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Supreme Marvel

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Edited By Supreme Marvel
@Krakoa said:
"
No Caption Provided
"
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suuperman

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Edited By suuperman

Mar-vell is the greatest, Genis-Vell started winning me over in Avengers Forever. I wasn't to fond of the Lunatic angle however.

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Kamen Rider Kajiki

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@Telcalipoca said:

" @TheMess1428 said:

" This reminds me that not that many people probably know that there have been 5 Batmans, 5 Robins, and 5 Batgirls in DC Comics history. "
wait whaaaaaaaaaaaaT?  i only know of 3 batmans and 4 batgirls! are you counting future mantle holders i.e. damian and Tim for batman? still i have 1 batgirl missing who is  she!! "
3? are you just starting or something? Mainstream i'd say:
Bruce 
Azrael (Temporary)
Dick 
Jason (Battle of the Cowl)
Damian  (BM: 666)
Terry (BM: Beyond)
And Batman One Million
 
I got 7, 8 if i count The golden age story of Thomas Wayne's Batman coincidence and 9 if i also count the Earth 2 Batman >_>
 
Billy Batson is the first and the best. But Mar-vell still has a special place in my heart. Since his was the first non translated comic book series i followed, right up to his death.
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termiteone4ever

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Edited By termiteone4ever
@Krakoa said:
"THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
 
 
Lol. Well, if I have to go against my usual grain and be serious, I'd go with #1, because I like the way Starlin did the whole Kree thing.  "

This is correct :)
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Primmaster64

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Edited By Primmaster64

This explains it all...If you don't get it....I mean that the greatest is Billy.

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BiteMe-Fanboy

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Edited By BiteMe-Fanboy

Mar-vell all the way.

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TheMess1428

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Edited By TheMess1428
@Kamen Rider Kajiki: Well the future never counts until the future becomes present. And other universes don't count. That's why they call it another universe. And you forgot Tim. He was Batman during Battle for the Cowl too. Thomas Wayne's golden age appearance doesn't count because the character wasn't established yet. You need an original Batman before you can come up with another version of Batman. So that leaves us with: Bruce, Jean-Paul, Dick, Jason, and Tim.
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GT-Man

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Edited By GT-Man

Genis-Vell I mean he is just to badazz looking
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skaarason

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Edited By skaarason

 MiracleMan / MarvelMan    

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muhabba

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Edited By muhabba

I'll say that the DC Captain Marvel is my favorite but only in spurts.  He tends to get kinda silly under the wrong writers tho'.  For Marvel it's Nor-Varr but there's a lot they are missing with him: his ship and Oubiette.  Where are they?

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CrimsonTempest

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Edited By CrimsonTempest
@weapon154 said:
" Mar-Vell from the Marvel Universe is the greatest, he's the Marvel Superman,DC Captain Marvel is just a kid, inexperienced and short. "
Most baseless argument ever. So what if he's short?
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Cthulhudrew

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Edited By Cthulhudrew

Genis-Vell, followed closely by Mar-Vell. Though I greatly preferred the heroic Genis/CM of PAD's first run on the title, I did enjoy the "insane Genis" concept he explored in the second series (though I felt it went on too long, and was hurt by rotating artists and some of the stories PAD introduced seemed to not get fully explored). 
 
I hope they bring Genis back some day.

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Telcalipoca

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Edited By Telcalipoca
@Kamen Rider Kajiki said:
" @Telcalipoca said:

" @TheMess1428 said:

" This reminds me that not that many people probably know that there have been 5 Batmans, 5 Robins, and 5 Batgirls in DC Comics history. "
wait whaaaaaaaaaaaaT?  i only know of 3 batmans and 4 batgirls! are you counting future mantle holders i.e. damian and Tim for batman? still i have 1 batgirl missing who is  she!! "
3? are you just starting or something? Mainstream i'd say:
Bruce 
Azrael (Temporary)
Dick 
Jason (Battle of the Cowl)
Damian  (BM: 666)
Terry (BM: Beyond)
And Batman One Million
 
I got 7, 8 if i count The golden age story of Thomas Wayne's Batman coincidence and 9 if i also count the Earth 2 Batman >_>  Billy Batson is the first and the best. But Mar-vell still has a special place in my heart. Since his was the first non translated comic book series i followed, right up to his death. "
 i knew those you mentioned by 3 i meant 3 official Batman not counting future holders.Bruce dick and jean have being the only ones to wear  the mantle and be the bonafied thing. jason and tim dont count they were  imposters sorta like when all those supermen popped out after the death of superman.
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Billy is the greatest Captain Marvel, but from Marvel it is  
 

No Caption Provided
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TheAdriaticSea

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Edited By TheAdriaticSea
@Krakoa: Billy Batson is BEAST!!! LIKE A BAWS!! LOL
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godzillafanboy666

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TheNightChick

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Edited By TheNightChick

I like Monica

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PowerHerc

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Edited By PowerHerc
@#1ElderScrollsFan said:
"
 
 
Billy is the greatest Captain Marvel, but from Marvel it is  
 

 
 
"


This is 100% spot-on accurate.  Absolutely.
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Theworldbreaker

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Edited By Theworldbreaker

MAR-VELL!!!!

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dr.x

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Edited By dr.x
@termiteone4ever:
there is  only one  SHAZAM !!! Captain Marvel and MIghty Mightor  too
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VanTesla

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Edited By VanTesla

Original and NOH-VARR are my pick but the new costume VARR uses is kinda lame in my eyes...
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waruikumo

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Edited By waruikumo

I am partial to Genis-Vell for some reason, although i really love Starlin's Captain Marvel stuff. 
 
and agreed the alex ross genis-vell costume is probably my favorite modern design.

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Gremlin From Kremlin

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@Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
No Caption Provided
Lol. Well, if I have to go against my usual grain and be serious, I'd go with #1, because I like the way Starlin did the whole Kree thing.  "
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dewboy01

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Edited By dewboy01

ill have to say marvel's cap. marvel because he can only shoots out energy blasters and not dc's capt. marvel.

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Doctor!!!!!

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Edited By Doctor!!!!!

SHAZAM!!!!!

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MTHarman

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Edited By MTHarman

SHAZAM
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Master_Of_Evil

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Edited By Master_Of_Evil
@Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
No Caption Provided
agreed Billy is the best captain marvel there is
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Illyana Rasputin

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@TheNightChick said:
"I like Monica "


 
 
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GREYMALCKIN3

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Edited By GREYMALCKIN3

MAR-VEL WAS THE BEST CAP.MARVEL EVER  

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Captainthunder

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Edited By Captainthunder

   

                                                     The one and only CAPTAIN MARVEL

No Caption Provided
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slacker the hacker

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@Krakoa said:
"THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
 
 
Lol. Well, if I have to go against my usual grain and be serious, I'd go with #1, because I like the way Starlin did the whole Kree thing.  "
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LP

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Edited By LP
@Master_Of_Evil said:
" @Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
No Caption Provided
agreed Billy is the best captain marvel there is "

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Hit_Monkey

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Edited By Hit_Monkey

No Caption Provided
I really liked Genis Vell, particularly when he went mad. I'm quite sad that he's been in limbo for such a long time.
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Primmaster64

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Edited By Primmaster64

SHAZAM!

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advocatefish

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Edited By advocatefish
@Icarusflies said:
@Krakoa said:
" THERE'S ONLY ONE CAPTAIN MARVEL
    
No Caption Provided


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movieartman

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Edited By movieartman

the Ultimate universe captain marvel was absolutly the best

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hydrabob--defunct

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for me it's Mar-Vell but i'm starting to like the new guy Noh-Var  after i saw what he did to the Young Avengers and Runaways

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PhoenixoftheTides

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I always had a soft spot for Monica Rambeau - I remember reading her first appearance and liking her unique background. She never really got a chance to get into the spotlight. I read the original Mar-Vell stories, but Monica just seemed cooler to me.

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Captain Zorikh

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Edited By Captain Zorikh

Sorry I found this so late. I have counted no fewer than 14 Captain Marvels so far...
1. Original Billy Batson
2. Split!
3. Mar-Vell
4. Monica Rambeau
5. Genis-Vell
6. Phyla-Vell
7. Jerry Ordway's Mary
8 & 9. The Batson parents in Sivana's alternate timeline
10. Amalgam
11. Carol Danvers in the House of M
12. Khn'nr
13. Noh-Varr
14. Ted Altman in at least one future
I will give honorary mention to the Hyssta that appeared for one issue in the Peter David series, the boy that appeared in the Stan Lee "Shazam" one-shot, and to the rip-offs Marvelman (Miracleman), Captain Thunder, and Mighty Man.
 
I almost consider "New Beginning" and "Power of Shazam" different characters, but they are really variants and re-interpretations of the original.
 
The original exemplified the best of golden age comics: fin storylines, appealing characterizations, sophisticately simple art.
Mar-Vell went cosmic in so many ways, exploring, if only briefly, many different possibilities for character with his space-faring abilities and relationship with Rich Jones.
Monica was refreshing in that she was a female and black character that did not make a big deal about either issue.
Genis, as written by Peter David, was fun and thought provoking.
Carol Danvers' quest to discover the hero in herself that was realized in the House of M is personally inspiring.

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lol

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who was created first captain marvel of marvel or dc?

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