Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is a comic book character that first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #12
Captain Marvel rebelled against a racist tyrannical empire to defend Earth as "Protector of the Universe". One of comics' most heroic figures if not one of it's most intriguing. Perhaps killed off prematurely in a graphic novel. A new generation of readers champion Mar-Vell's return to this very day.
Overview
Mar-Vell is one of comics great heroic figures, as well as a psychologically complex one. He is often overlooked due to a multitude of reasons, the success of Marvel Graphic Novel #1 in 1982, legal confusion and controversy over the name, sometimes even by it's own company, and at times lack of creative vision.However, when one does the research, Marvel's Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, may have been ahead of it's time.
What is interesting is that despite the name controversy that is inaccrurately recorded on other sites, is that Marvel's original "Captain Marvel" is just that...truly original.
The tragedy of what could and to some, should be, the Marvel flaghsip character is that the character was killed off in a highly revered graphic novel as they briefly had discovered what to do with the character and explore it as it's own entity.
Marvel has tried numerous times to replace this character unsuccessfully and continue to do so to this day, rather than use the 'genuine article' as they say.
In recent times a movement to bring him back goes on, and remains a challenge to all aspiring writers and artists: How do you bring back Captain Mar-Vell without simply walking away and saying 'keep him dead'? One of the great creative quagmires of comicdom.
Or is there a story here?
The following is a history of this character.
A market for "Mar-Vell" still exists, as the character has become more than a name or a cotume that is often imitated but never duplicated.
Even with no film or animated features (nor corporate backing), and a never ending line of copies and replacements, and documented financial evidence of fan interest in this, (repeatedly) perhaps comics' most underutilized character, Mar-Vell, seems to be doomed to a lower status or a replacement unless fans stand up and speak.
The real question is...will they listen?
If Mar-Vell is dead, then perhaps Marvel "Comics" died with him.
Due to the hero's originality, or perhaps his stance for unity and not being afraid to fight for it, a growing number of internet "rebels" and otherwise, view Mar-Vell as the one true "Captain Marvel", and worthy of a comeback in this day and age.
Hero From Another Planet
"Out of the holocaust...a Hero."
"Mar-Vell" is often referred to as a "half-breed" throughout the comic, yet it is never explained as to the nature of the statement, other than establishing the character as a champion of opression and the irony of his form, though alien, was meant to inspire thought in the reader. Also, of note is that his kinship toward humans and from his 'outsider' point of view, what we could be as a whole, is never fully acknowledged in reference to his being "half breed" and appearing human for the most part. This is an intriguing plot point that is often overlooked.
Captain Mar-Vell, the "Captain Marvel" , the greatest amd most feared warrior in a society, nay, an empire spanning planets and based solely upon war. The name itself fell upon the pronunciation of an alien tongue, meaning "our" pronunciation and thus, "Captain Marvel" was born...both through his own inner conflict of being their greatest warrior (no powers) and slowly (as demonstated over the first several issues of the comic book, actually being the fist Marvel Super hero given a monthly title from the experimental "Marvel Superheros" to introduce classic golden age heros from Marvel's Timely age to a new age while aso introducing new heros. Captain Marvel was, and by some accounts, still is that hero.
(*Marvel Super Heros #12 1967)
More or less due to the to the inerest and cross referenced demographic of both the Sci-Fi, Sci-Fantasy as well as the "super" hero, and is today a way of combining both genres, ttractings readers of both iconic Superheros such as Captain America, Spiderman and many others as well as earlie concepts such as Star Wars and Star Trek in itt's primitive stages.
A gateway of sorts.
Little beknownst to him, his rare genetic code, would somehow advance the genetics of the Kree Empire as the quest for the Kree according to the "Kree Sumpreme Intelligence" (a collecton of all the greatest war minds of the many years of the Kree) in not only their war against the Skrulls for adavncement.
Mar-Vell is truly the "rare breed". where they have pinkish or even white skin instead of the blue skin that the "pure" Kree have.
Mar-Vell would be born on "Rad-Nam", on the Kree Home World of Kree-Lar, a city whose name is intentionally represented as a pun, like many of the Kree names, much like Mar-Vell, as by some Mar-Vell historians "Viet-nam" and the similiar turbulent times.
In real life, during the Vietnam/Civil Rights era, that name still logically means something, similiar to the usage later of Mar-Vell. These concepts are particulary shown in Captain Marvel #21 amongst others (when Captain Marvel must fight the Hulk).
Despite being a minority of his race, Mar-Vell became a well known soldier in the "wars amonst the stars", his name name would be whispered as the "Best of the Best."
This is of course, before any superpowers.
He became the most lethal singular weapon, a mere Kree Soldier in fighting for, and carrying out the Kree Empire's attempts to take down their enemy, the Skrull, among their other enemies.
It is of note, that Captain Marvel's origina takes place over a series of revolutions in the character, as opposed to the usually formula like most.
The interesting and most ironic and intriguing part of the story is that he becomes a "superhero", a leader and iconic one, almost representing the Marvel Universe almost by default, coming with his experiences and his uniform change. Read on.
In fact, he became their greatest warrior inspite of his racial "handicap" as many of the "pure" blue Kree would say. On the way to earth, Mar-Vell was ordered to take a small crew and make contact with the missing Grand General Devros on a Brood infested planet.. Captain Mar-Vell and Una barely escaped a now Brood invested Devros and the Brood Queen. They were rescued by the Shiar guard led by Deathbird, and re-united with thier ship bound for earth..
Mar-Vell was given orders to watch the Earth, by his commander Yon-Rogg. During this time Mar-Vell and his ship's medic, Una, fell in love. Yon-Rogg became angered by their love and ordered Mar-Vell to invade Cape Canaveral, Florida. Yon-Rogg then tried to fire on Mar-Vell but instead killed a bystander named Dr. Walter Lawson. Mar-Vell decided to take Dr. Lawson's name as his secret identity. But Yon-Rogg was not done trying to kill Mar-Vell, as he sent the Kree Robot, The Sentry, to kill him. Mar-Vell defeated The Sentry in his Kree Uniform, but during the battle bystanders misunderstood the robot thinking it called him "Captain Marvel", a new superhero.
Mar-Vell continued to live on Earth, under the identity Dr. Lawson and as Captain Marvel. The more time he spent on Earth, the more he came to love it and its people. Around this time Mar-Vell met and fell in love with Carol Danvers. 
Then Mar-Vell met a being named Zo, who granted him new powers. Zo was actually an illusion though, created by Zarek and Ronan. Their hope was to trick Mar-Vell into destroying the Kree homeworld, Kree-Lar. This is when Mar-Vell became a traitor to the Kree Empire, but was set straight when the Supreme Intelligence uncovered Zarek and Ronan's plans. This is when the Supreme Intelligence told Mar-Vell that he knew of their plans all along but allowed it to go on as a "test" for Mar-Vell, due to him having plans for Mar-Vell.
The most "cosmic" superhero of them all
Mar-Vell would earn a new uniform.
The Supreme Intelligence, the overall ruler of the Kree Empire (the conscious collective of all the greatest Kree military minds of years past) seeing Mar-Vell as both a threat and a hero, awarded Mar-Vell a new unique uniform, and "allowed" him to keep him his new abilities, yet banishing him simultaneously.
Never to rise above the rank of Captain.
Mar-Vell became trapped in the Negative Zone, his only chance of freedom was for Rick Jones to put on the Nega-Bands and slam them together. He would appear in hologram illusions to lead Rick to the nega bands on Earth that would set Captain Marvel free. By clanging the bands together, Mar-Vell, Captain Marvel, and Rick Jones would switch places.
This would base a lot of the switching places aspects of two conscious entities that can communicate with each other in comics as evidenced in later works of Firestorm and Genis-Vell, as opposed to the Shazam aspect.
A slight homage to Fawcett's Captain Marvel would be portrayed here by the great Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, although Mar-Vell remained unique and original, and with the new uniform and direction was capable of being a flagship character for Marvel Comics.
DC would retaliate by gaining the rights of the same Captain Marvel (Shazam) that they had sued for copyright infringement on Superman (and won).
However, Mar-Vell remained his own unique character.
About this time, Yon-Rogg kidnapped Carol Danvers, but was defeated by Mar-Vell, and his revenge for the death of Medic Una, his first love. Yon-Rogg died after the battle in an explosion that Mar-Vell and Carol narrowly escaped. However, during this explosion Mar-Vell's dna was absorbed into Carol's body, thus eventually giving birth to Ms. Marvel.
After many adventures, Mar-Vell got the idea to use Mr. Fantastic's portal to the Negative Zone to bring Rick Jones out. By doing this the two were both able to be side by side on Earth, which would later be an opportunity to explore the Mar-Vell character as it's own seperate entity, due to the circumstances, this would not be until later in the story.
Shortly after, Rick Jones and Mar-Vell were stuck in the middle of the Kree/Skrull War alongside the Avengers.
The Supreme Intelligence released the potential that Rick Jones had in him. Using this power Jones was able to stop the war by himself. But due to this Rick Jones was dying and the only way to save him was for Mar-Vell and him to share the bond they once had. But after awhile Rick Jones could no longer contain this bond. But his girlfriend's uncle was able to use a photonic energy on Jones. After this they were able to keep switching places and Mar-Vell could absorb solar energy and use it to fire blast and increase his strength.
Protector of the Universe
This theme would later be redone with other characters such as Warlock and the Silver Surfer in Mar-Vell's original role. However, these characters would not enjoy the same crossover appeal from readers of the regular "Earth based" as well as the "Cosmic" genres of Comics, respectively, as Mar-Vell is the original. This is difficult to gauge due to Mar-Vell being killed off perhaps too early in comics.
He would unite and lead a team consitsing of The Avengers, Thing, Mentor, Eros, and Drax the Destroyer.
ISAAC, the worldwide computer system of Titan, in it's singular form, acknowledged that Mar-Vell would be the only one with any chance of defeating Thanos, estimating the possibility of his success at a mere .04% chance.
This is when the being known as Eon, who came to Mar-Vell and gave him a choice of which side of his future he woulkd embrace in order to defeat Thanos, the protector or the warrior.
Mar-Vell was then appointed The " Protector of the Universe" and was granted his "cosmic awareness"., making him one with the universe itself.
It is often mistaken for a concept like a Green Lantern or Nova Corps, however it is not, Mar-Vell was the only protector of the universe, as it is a singular role rather than part of a collective force, initially.
After this Mar-Vell became the driving force in stopping Thanos in the first Cosmic Cube saga, eventually defeating him by shattering the cosmic cube itself.
Rick Jones and Mar-Vell were once again able to break the bond they share although they needed to do it every once in awhile to restore Mar-Vell's powers to its fullest.
When Commander Zarek commanded the Lunatic Legion, he ordered Nitro to steal a canister of Nerve Gas. Mar-Vell stopped Nitro and was able to close the canister before anyone else was exposed to the gas. Although he didn't realize it at the time, Mar-Vell had been exposed to the gas himself, which would later have grave consequences. Mar-Vell defeated the Lunatic Legion and went back to the Kree Homeworld to tell the Supreme Intelligence of their plans. The Supreme Intelligence once again knew of the enemy plots, and said that he had chosen Mar-Vell for his gentic make-up and Rick Jones for his psychic potential. This is when the Supreme Intelligence tried to absorb Jones's and Mar-Vell's brains, but Mar-Vell and Rick Jones were able to fight it and Mar-vell left the Kree Empire for good. Mar-Vell would often team-up with the Avengers and Fantastic Four.
FREE of the Negative Zone
This is often the most overlooked period of the character's history thus far.
This is where Captain Marvel and Rick Jones' symbiotic transfer relationship (trading atoms from the negative zone to exist on our plane of existence in the positive matter universe) would be separated, and freed from the binds of the negative zone, permanently.
It is the basis of it's success in recent years, though the decision to kill the character had been made during a change in regime in Marvel editorial prior to the change in direction of exploring Captain Marvel full time.
It is arguably an oversight to this day, in spite of a known graphic novel.
It was exploring Mar-Vell as a singular entity that laid the potential to be the character the name "Marvel" or "Mar-Vell" suggested. Marvel has tried numerous and repeated times to replace the complex nature of Mar-Vell, and have done so unsuccessfully for the most part, at times to a point of near parody.
Perhaps, during this period, Mar-Vell had finally gained it's footing.
In Captain Marvel #50, after teaming up with, and leading The Avengers and defeating the Super-Adaptoid, a being who cloned all of the prominent Avengers powers and weapons, including Mar-Vell's own nega bands, Mar-Vell would be able to free both himself and Rick Jones from the negative zone permanently so both would be able to be seperate and free from switching atoms in Captain Marvel #50.
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He would team with Drax the Destroyter in this period and due to the waning post-Starlin era (#37-#49) his series would be canceled at #62, despite the series showing promise of pursuing Captain Marvel as his own seperate entity, even winning an Eagle Award in 1979 for best continuing story.
As the forementioned change in Marvel editorial took place, between the Roy Thomas and Jim Shooter eras, Captain Marvel was cancelled as of issue #62, and continued in Marvel Spotlight #1-3, despite the progress being made with the character. Herein, the general point missed by many is that after the Jones seperation the character was onto bigger and better things.
As the character was finally getting it's footing, the decision was made to kill a character for the new prestige format known as the "Graphic Novel".
The cover of the proposed Captain Marvel #63, is featured on the cover of Comic Reader #169 in June of 1979, suggesting a contigency to not go through with killing the character. It could be rationalized that Marvel made a mistake here.
Death of Captain Marvel
The Nerve Gas that Mar-Vell had been exposed to during his battle with Nitro began to take a toll on his body. He slowly developed cancer, and when he no longer had the strength to carry on, he
A plot hole was left open as Mar-Vell's spirit form was seperated from his body in Marvel Graphic Novel #1 "The Death of Captain Marvel", this was made apparent just as Mar-Vell's physical body on our realm of existence fell into coma.
Marvel's "The Death of Captain Marvel" is one of the more widely respected comics of it's time.
Despite a continued interest and mailing campaign by fans, only time will tell if Marvel will bring back the original Mar-Vell, Captain Marvel.
The Return?
Some readers of a new generation see this hint at a possible Mar-Vell return as a rallying battlecry of sorts, in comics.
Mar-Vell would be a man out of his own time in this story, however the storyline was bailed out on, for reasons unknown.
However, despite the "buzz" of a new generation of comic readers, Mar-Vell would only be in one panel of the final Civil War issue.
Nearly an entire year later, Captain Marvel #1 was released with Brian Reed, Lee Weeks and Ed McGuiness on the creative team, and it being a 5 issue limited series.
Amazingly, Captain Marvel would sell 203, 031 units, and go to second printings on issues before the Secret Invasion tie-in (the next coming major Marvel storyline).
Mar-Vell would fight real evils of the world such as war, famine, death and the like, as opposed to "guys in silly costumes". He would travel from America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the world over, all of which shown in only a few brief panels due to the "limited" series.
He would actually achieve a day in which there would be peace on Earth, as documented by journalist Nathan Freeman, not a single shot would be fired on Earth for 24 hours.
Although this Mar-Vell would be revealed to be a skrull, (though there are other theories), he would still rebel to fight against the invading skrulls.
Any way it is analyzed, the character is not held down by the ups and downs of it's publication in the 1970's comic market.
However, as much of a sucess the Reed/Weeks mini would be, once again this Mar-Vell would be used as a "legacy" character in the overall arc, as opposed to bring the original back as advertised. This time adding kree ensign Noh-Varr to a list of characters including Monica Rambeau, Quasar, Genis-Vell, Carol Danvers, Marvin Ellwood, Captain Atlas, Phyla-Vell, Photon, Pulsar, and to some even Sentry, as one of the many Captain Marvel successors, all of which, along with many alternate reality and indirectly related characters begin to demonstrate a bit of parody to the real Mar-Vell.
During the months between the January 2007 release of The Return to the November 8, 2007 release of Captain Marvel #1, to issue # 5, Young Avengers Presents #2 (an issue featuring Captain Mar-Vell and his son Teddy Altman aka Hulkling), Thunderbolts #122, Mighty Avengers #19 and the corresponding issues featuring the character on the cover and content, Captain Marvel (what appeared to be the real Mar-Vell) and the related titles featuring him, would sell an estimated 4, 444, 433* units in less than a year in the modern era with little or no corporate promotion, although is obviously not for Mar-Vell alone, the success of the mini series does merit attenton.
Many reasons for this can be determined, overarcs, other characters titles, so on...However, the sales figures of the Captain Marvel alone merit attention.
If nothing else, the recent fan interest shows that the hero can be brought back and written well in doing so.
*Credit: Comic Chronicles - www.comicchron.com
The Spawned Children
After Mar-Vell's death, the Titian Elysius, whom was his lover would impregnate herself on two occassions. These would result with the birth of Genis-Vell and Phyla-Vell.
During the Kree-Skrull War, Mar-Vell would have an affair with Skrull Princess Annelle, and fathered Hulkling.
Powers and Abilities
Mar-Vell is a warrior. The "best of the best" of the soldiers of the Kree Empire whose tyrannical rule spans many planets as recorded in Marvel Comics History.
This means that Mar-Vell has the best in hand to hand combat skills and war strategy before the addition of any superpowers, as evidenced in the characters evolution through encounters with "Zo", "Eon", the "Nega-Bands", or any of the character's adventures or natural progression.
He had the ability to absorb solar energy. By doing this, he was able to greatly increase his strength. It also gave him the ability to fly and to fire blasts of energy from his body. Captain Marvel was "cosmically aware", meaning that he was semi-omniscient. He could see an enemy's weakness simply by thinking about it, thus having a superhuman insight coupled with his already proven warrior skill, leadership and intelligence. Mar-Vell had acieved a mental "nirvana" of sorts, the complexity of which being that he was both warrior and protector.
Thanks to the Nega-Bands, Mar-Vell became able to store much more solar energy and focus his photon blast. By hitting the Nega Bands together, Mar-Vell was able to switch places with Rick Jones, who resided in the Negative Zone.
Mar-Vell was a captain in the Kree Army. In the military, he received advanced training in hand-to-hand combat as well as armed combat with a multitude of weapons. He also had a firm understanding of warfare and was an apt tactician.
Mar-Vell can fly unaided in space at, or in excess of, light speeds, no longer needing food for substanance. He appears to be stronger in the day when on Earth as to siphon solar energy.
It is important to note that the K'hnrr Mar-Vell clone was an exact replica of Mar-Vell's powers in every way, this is often mistaken, and defined in the Marvel Handbook update "Marvel: Your Universe".
Mar-Vell's leadership is often an underrated category in his skillset, but is evidenced in his categorical role when teaming with with Earth's mightiest heros in any of his incarnations.
Captain Marvel is said to have been 6'2" tall, and around 240 lbs, and would have knowledge of most mechanical and war devices of the Kree Empire. He did have some degree of what could be referred to as superhuman intelligence, however this seems to be overlooked in the known rating systems. He was able to shoulder the burden of cosmic awareness in it's fullest scope without going insane.
Another aspect of Captain Marvel's powers is that once he was seperated from Rick Jones, he can creat a portal to the negative zone by simply concentrating and clanging his bands together. (Captain Marvel #57)
Mar-Vell has been shown being able to dodge lasers at point blank range and anticipate an enemy's method of attack before they do it themselves.
Mar-Vell 's original power assessment in the early works, was simply to turn the psionic energy into the physical energy, leaving a touch of ambiguity.. So the scope of Mar-Vell's powers have never really been accurately described in printed form, at any of his various power enhancements, especially with Cosmic Awareness.
Alternate realities
Alternate realities
"ULTIMATE" Marvel (Earth-1610):
Captain Marvel of the Ultimate Universe in named Geheneris Halason Mahr-Vehl, and his powers and origins are different than the 616 Mar-Vell. The Kree of Ultimate marvel looks much more alien-like, so to look human he had to have extensive surgery. He also has a power suit instead of the Nega-Bands for his powers. This version of Mar-Vell tends to concentrate on the kree soldier chapters of his origin, while ignoring the iconic ones. Despite the "Ultimates" correct grasp on many of the legendary Marvel characters, Mar-Vell would not be accurately represented here.
EARTH X (Earth-9997):
Mar-Vell is the child of the synthetic Him and Her. Captain America takes Mar-Vell with him on a quest to obtain various items to deal with the mutant poplulation and to prepare for the war in the Realm of the Dead. During the war Mar-Vell leads an army of dead heroes and villains against Thanos and Death. Mar-Vell convinces Thanos to use the Ultimate Nullifier on Death. With death gone, Mar-Vell creates a Paradise in the Negative Zone for the dead. People find that they are unable to die. Mar-Vell, after realizing that now no one could die, in hospitals suffering, restores Death itself after defeating it.
Earth-58163
In the House of M reality, Captain Marvel died during the Kree/Skrull war while fighting alongside Magneto and Earth's heroes. This sacrafice forged an alliance between the kree and Earth. In his memory Carol Danvers, Ms. Marvel, much like many characters throughout the MU, has taken up his name.
| Super Name: | Captain Marvel |
| Real Name: | Mar-Vell |
| Aliases: |
Dr. Walter Lawson Captain Mar-Vell Protector Of The Universe Mahr Vehl Mar Marv Marvin Ellwood Silvertop Captain Trouble Phillip Lawson Khn'nr Marvel Universe Captain Universe Geheneris Halason Mahr-Vehl Tinseltop Cap |
| Publisher: | Marvel Publishing |
| Gender: | Male |
| Character Type: | Alien |
| 1st Appearance: | Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #12 |
| Appears in: | 129 issues |
| Birthday: | |
| Died: |
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