An Introduction to Carol Danvers as Ms./Captain Marvel

Carol Danvers debuted as Ms. Marvel in 1977, in a story written by Gerry Conway & pencilled by John Buscema. She was self-consciously designed to be both one of Marvel’s premier female superheroes and specifically, its premiere feminist superhero. 1/11 #CaptainMarvel #TheMarvels

The opening of Ms. Marvel #1, in which she throws a car, references the debut of history’s first superhero, Superman. This display of might also defies Marvel’s tendency to give female characters non-physical “strike-a-pose-and-point” powers, like invisibility & telekinesis. 2/11

This opening scene also specifically establishes Ms. Marvel’s difference from previous female characters & her aspirational potential for girls & women. Speaking to her mother about Ms. Marvel, a wide-eyed little girl exclaims, “Wow! When I grow up—I wanna be just like her!” 3/11

In addition, Ms. Marvel’s codename and Carol Danvers’ new civilian profession draw deliberate parallels between Ms. Marvel and the most famous female superhero, Wonder Woman, as well as real-life feminist icon (and confirmed Wonder Woman fan) Gloria Steinem. 4/11

In Ms. Marvel #1, Danvers is hired by J. Jonah Jameson to edit a new magazine called Woman. Jameson wants an expose on Ms. Marvel & articles he deems “useful” to women, on “new diets & fashions & recipes.” Danvers refuses to kowtow to this sexism. She also demands a raise. 5/11

The “Ms” in “Ms. Marvel” would prove controversial, a dynamic we’ll discuss in a future thread. But in context it’s meant to reference the feminist magazine Ms., co-founded by Gloria Steinem. Where Steinem put Wonder Woman on the cover of her debut, Danvers puts Ms. Marvel. 6/11

Ms. Marvel vol 1 was cancelled at 23 issues. But Danvers’ superhero career would continue, in the pages of Avengers and X-Men comics, where she both suffered historic indignity & found new purpose. In 2006, she debuted in a new solo series by Brian Reed, lasting 50 issues. 7/11

But Danvers’ present notoriety can largely be traced to a 2012 reboot written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, in which she takes on the name Captain Marvel and receives a new costume designed by Jamie McKelvie that arguably better reflects her context & character. 8/11

This reboot was a critical & commercial success, supported by fans calling themselves the “Carol Corps.” Since 2012, Danvers as Captain Marvel has continuously starred in her own series and been a major player in team books and major events, including 2016’s Civil War II. 9/11

In 2017, Captain Marvel became the first female superhero to headline an MCU film, after 20 films starring men. The film & star Brie Larson became lightning rods for “anti-woke” discourse, including review bombing that forced Rotten Tomatoes to revise its vetting system. 10/11

On its own and in conversation with fan discourses, Carol Danvers’ history is exceedingly complicated—and a rich site for analysis. Over the next two weeks, we’ll continue to explore these complications, including some spotlights of other Ms/Captain Marvels. Stay tuned! 11/11