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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

1960's

The character debuted as a supporting cast member in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (Mar, 1968), which featured the premiere of the alien Kree hero Captain Marvel. Although established as being an officer in the United States Air Force and Security Chief of a military base, the character would have a minimal role until the 1970's.

1970's

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 #57 (Mar. 1978) before appearing in 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 #125 - 126 (Aug. - Sep. 1979).

1980's

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 publication X-Men Companion 2 (Fantagraphics Books, 1982) In Avengers Annual #10 (Dec. 1980), Claremont actually undid the story and brought the character back to Earth, revealing that it was all a mistake, which unintentionally alienates Ms. Marvel from the Avengers. The story was significant in that it introduced the character Rogue, who courtesy of her own abilities steals Ms. Marvel's powers and memories, leaving the character permanently non-powered.

Claremont continued to develop the character in the title Uncanny X-Men, as Danvers appears in Uncanny X-Men #158 (June. 1982), using espionage to enter the Pentagon and wipe her old military files. In Uncanny X-Men #164 (Dec. 1982) during an adventure in space with the mutant team the X-Men, Danvers is changed courtesy of experimentation by alien race the Brood into a newly-empowered character called Binary. Drawing on the power of a cosmic phenomenon called a white hole, Danvers becomes capable of generating the power of a star. As Binary, the character features in Uncanny X-Men #166 - 167 (Feb. - Mar. 1983); #171 + 174 (July + Oct. 1983); New Mutants #19 (Sep. 1984); Uncanny X-Men #200 - 201 (Dec. 1985 - Jan. 1986); Marvel Fanfare #24 (Jan. 1986); briefly in West Coast Avengers Annual #1 (Jan. 1986); New Mutants #50 - 51 (Apr. - May 1987) and Excalibur #17 (Dec. 1989).

1990's

The character continued to make sporadic appearances, and featured in X-Men Spotlight On...Starjammers #1 - 2 (May - June 1990). 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. The same year the character was also used extensively in the storyline Operation Galactic Storm, a multi-issue arc that was published from March to May and spanned the titles Avengers and Avengers West Coast, and the individual hero titles Captain America; Iron Man; Quasar; Thor and Wonder Man. By the conclusion of the story Danvers has expended her new abilities, but retains a version of the old powers possessed as Ms. Marvel. The character then appears in Avengers #350 - 351 (both Aug. 1992); Starblast #1 (Jan. 1994); X-Men Unlimited #1 (Dec. 1996) and Excalibur #116 (Jan. 1998).

The character then rejoins the Avengers in Avengers vol. 3, #4 (May 1998) with the new alias Warbird. Writer Kurt Busiek adds a new dimension to the character and casts her as an alcoholic, struggling to come to terms with the loss of her original powers and memories. Danvers disgraces herself during the "Live Kree or Die" storyline (which ran through Iron Man vol. 3, #7; Captain America vol. 3, #8; Quicksilver #10 and Avengers #7 (all Aug. 1998) and is suspended from active duty in Avengers #8 (Sep. 1998).

After a brief appearance in the alternate universe title What If? vol. 2, #111 (Aug. 1998), the character features in Iron Man #12 (Jan. 1999); Wolverine #133 - 134 (Jan. - Feb. 1999); Avengers vol. 3, #17 - 18 (June - July 1999); Iron Man #18 (July 1999); Avengers vol. 3, #21 (Oct. 1999); Iron Man #21 (Oct. 1999) and a cameo appearance in Mutant X #14 (Nov. 1999).

2000's

The character then featured as Ms. Marvel once again in a false reality created by mutant the Scarlet Witch in the 8-part limited series House of M, published from August to December 2005. Ms. Marvel then came to prominence again when the character was launched in a second self-titled volume in March 2006, and joined the New Avengers in issue #17 (May 2006).

New Avengers/Transformers # 1 - 4 (Sep. - Dec. 2007)

Following the events of Secret Invasion, she is now a member of the "New Avengers". 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 and starting with Ms. Marvel #38, Moonstone also becomes the main character in that title.

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.

Civil War

Ms. Marvel joins the faction of superheroes aligned with Iron Man in enforcing the Superhuman Registration Act. She battles fellow Avenger Silverclaw. 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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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. She also becomes a mentor towards Initiative recruit Ultra Girl, even giving Ultra Girl a new costume similar to her original one.

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.

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.

After a humourous encounter with Spider-Man in Ms. Marvel Annual (2008), 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

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

1. "The Osborn Supremacy: Dark Avengers", Comic Book Resources, January 22, 2008
2. Brian Reed: The 'Dark' Future of Ms. Marvel, Newsarama, January 22, 2009
3. Civil War #2
4. Fantastic Four vol. 1 #538
5. Ms Marvel vol. 2 #1
6. Ms Marvel vol. 2 #12
7. Ms. Marvel vol. 2 #9
8. Ms Marvel vol. 2 #13
9. Mighty Avengers #1(2007)
10. ^ Mighty Avengers #6(2007)
11. New Avengers Annual #2 (2008)
12. Ms Marvel 18-20
13. Ms. Marvel #23

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

• Marvel Comics superheroes
• 1968 comics characters debuts
• Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
• Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing
• Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
• Marvel Comics mutates