I started reading Marvel comics with 1984's SECRET WARS, so Monica Rambeau has always been Captain Marvel to me. She picked up the mantle that had previously been carried by the Kree hero Mar-Vell until his death in 1982. It seems Marvel didn't want to leave the trademark hanging for too long, so Monica came along later than same year to take on the name, though her costume and light/energy powers had nothing to with the original.
While others have since taken the name (most notably Genis-Vell who took it from her by force), Monica Rambeau has continued to operate in the mainstream Marvel Universe under different identities. I'll cover these later Captain Marvels and Monica's time as both Photon and Pulsar in later reading orders.
With the appearance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Monica Rambeau in the current 'WandaVision' TV series, is there a chance she might pick the Captain Marvel identity up again in the comics? Or perhaps the MCU might one day feature her as Captain Marvel...
MCG Notes:
- Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Captain Marvel stories from this time period, along with any often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
- issue listings in grey: Part of Monica's chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
- Chronology: Every Monica Rambeau appearance from this period is included in chronological order - mapping out the timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
- Spoilers: The are some spoilers in the story overviews, though I've tried to keep them to a minimum - just be warned!
The history of the original Captain Marvel is coming soon...
- Mar-Vell (1967-1982)
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 (1982)
Avengers #227 (1983)
First appearance of Captain Marvel/Monica Rambeau; Spider-Man and the Avengers help New Orleans cop Monica Rambeau gain control of the new powers she gained while investigating Roxxon; the Avengers offer her a place on the team as a trainee during CALL HER... CAPTAIN MARVEL!
Hulk Smash Avengers #3 (2012)
Despite the Bruce Banner recently gaining control of the Hulk and his recent presidential pardon, Captain Marvel attacks the Hulk when he approaches Avengers Mansion; not realising he'd come asking for help, the Avengers join in the fight until the misunderstanding is cleared up.
Incredible Hulk #281-284 (1983)
The Hulk gets help from the Avengers when the Leader travels back in time to expose early man to gamma rays; Hulk turns down an offer to rejoin the Avengers.
Avengers #228-230 (1983)
Alongside her fellow Avengers, Captain Marvel faces her first super-villains when the Egghead pits his Masters of Evil against the team; the Avengers face one of their lowest points when Hank Pym goes on trial.
The Hulk gets help from the Avengers when the Leader travels back in time to expose early man to gamma rays; Hulk turns down an offer to rejoin the Avengers.
Avengers #228-230 (1983)
Alongside her fellow Avengers, Captain Marvel faces her first super-villains when the Egghead pits his Masters of Evil against the team; the Avengers face one of their lowest points when Hank Pym goes on trial.
Avengers #231 (1983)
The Avengers battle the Plantman and meet Starfox when he arrives to announce his wish to join the team.
Avengers #232(pp.1-19) (1983)
Captain Marvel is granted full Avengers membership; Captain Marvel and Thor go after Plant Man and end up having to save his life during ANNIHILATION GAMBIT.
Avengers Annual #12 (1983)
The Avengers defend the Inhumans' right to live on the moon; when Black Bolt appears to go mad, the Avengers expose him as the manipulative Inhuman Maximus in disguise.
Thor #332 (1983)
Captain Marvel cameo; Thor asks Captain Marvel and Starfox to help him find the missing Runestaff during THE MONTESI FORMULA.
Avengers #233(pp.1-20) (1983)
Avengers #233(pp.21-23) / Fantastic Four #256 (1983)
The Avengers and Fantastic Four defend New York from Annihilus; Captain Marvel is instrumental in Annihilus' defeat during ANNIHILATION GAMBIT.
Avengers #234 (1983)
Avengers #233(pp.21-23) / Fantastic Four #256 (1983)
The Avengers and Fantastic Four defend New York from Annihilus; Captain Marvel is instrumental in Annihilus' defeat during ANNIHILATION GAMBIT.
Avengers #234 (1983)
Scarlet Witch and Captain Marvel get to know each other better and helps her deal with the Vision's comatose state during ANNIHILATION GAMBIT / THE MONTESI FORMULA.
Doctor Strange #60 (1983)
Captain Marvel, the Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange defend Avengers Mansion from Dracula and an army of Darkholders when they come to claim the Darkhold during THE MONTESI FORMULA.
Iron Age #1 (2011)
Captain Marvel meets the Iron Man of a future timeline (Earth-81191) during THE IRON AGE.
Iron Age #1 (2011)
Captain Marvel meets the Iron Man of a future timeline (Earth-81191) during THE IRON AGE.
Thor #334 (1983)
Captain Marvel cameo; Captain Marvel is present when Thor borrows a Quinjet.
Avengers #235-237 (1983)
First appearance of Raymond Sikorski; the Avengers come under attack from the Wizard; the Avengers and Spider-Man investigate a break-out at Project PEGASUS; Captain Marvel's presence calms the Lava Men and she joins forces with Spider-Man to stop the reactor core from exploding.
Captain Marvel cameo; Captain Marvel is present when Thor borrows a Quinjet.
Avengers #235-237 (1983)
First appearance of Raymond Sikorski; the Avengers come under attack from the Wizard; the Avengers and Spider-Man investigate a break-out at Project PEGASUS; Captain Marvel's presence calms the Lava Men and she joins forces with Spider-Man to stop the reactor core from exploding.
Marvel Fanfare #24[2/2] (1986)
Avengers #238 (1983)
Monica Rambeau looks into buying a boat with her Avengers paychecks; as Captain Marvel, Monica witnesses the return of the Vision and is left disturbed by a confrontation with Moonstone and Blackout.
Captain America #292(p.13) (1984)
Captain Marvel cameo.
Avengers #240-241 (1984)
The Avengers come to the aid of Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) when Morgan le Fay comes to claim her.
Avengers #242(pp.1-18) (1984)
Secret Wars #1-12 (1984-1985)
Amazing Spider-Man #252(pp.6-7) / Iron Man #182(p.16) (1984)
Captain Marvel is among the Avengers who investigate the gigantic structure in Central Park; the Avengers and a number of other heroes are transported to Battleworld by the all-powerful Beyonder where they repeatedly clash with a similar assembly of some of Earth's super-powered villains; the Avengers return to Earth during SECRET WARS.
Code of Honor #3(p.39) (1997)
Captain Marvel cameo; the Avengers fly through New York after returning from Battleworld.
Avengers #243(pp.18-22) (1984)
The Avengers are reunited on Earth; the Wasp hands leadership of the Avengers over to the Vision who announces the formation of a west coast branch of the Avengers and reveals the threat of the Dire Wraiths during SECRET WARS / TOTAL WAR!
Code of Honor #3(p.42) (1997)
Captain Marvel cameo; the Avengers' return is celebrated with a parade.
1985 #6 (2008)
The Avengers are among the heroes who stop an army of super-villains from escaping to Earth-1219, a world without super-heroes.
First appearance of the Crossroads; the Avengers struggle to stop a rampaging Hulk; Doctor Strange transports the Hulk to another dimension.
Avengers #244-245 (1984)
The Avengers face an embarrassing defeat under the Vision's leadership defend when Dire Wraiths disguised as the Rocketeers steal an experimental rocket from the John F Kennedy Space Centre during TOTAL WAR!
Avengers Annual #13 (1984)
The Avengers face Arnim Zola and his army of Hulk duplicates.
Marvel Team-Up #142-143 (1984)
Spider-Man, Captain Marvel and Starfox battle PRIDE (Population Reduction by Inter-Dimensional Expulsion), but their victory leaves Captain Marvel trapped in energy form; Spider-Man and Starfox take on the Will-Killer in their efforts to restore her.
Avengers #246-248 (1984)
First appearance of Frank Rambeau, Maria Rambeau and West Coast Avengers Compound; Captain Marvel reveals her costumed identity to her parents; the Avengers and Eternals take on Maelstrom.
Avengers #249(pp.1-10) (1984)
Avengers #249(pp.10-12) (1984) / Thor #350(pp.13-14) (1984)
Avengers #249(pp.12-22) (1984)
Thor #350(pp.14-22), 352-353 (1984-1985)
The Avengers assist Thor in defending New York from Surtur's invading demon army during THE SURTUR SAGA.
Captain America #301 (1984-1985)
The Avengers rescue Captain America from a trap set by the Red Skull and learn the Skull is now dead.
Avengers #250-251 (1984)
First appearance of the Tavern on the Green; Hercules rejoins the Avengers; Maelstrom returns in a new cloned body; the Vision leads the East and West Coast Avengers against Maelstrom; Captain Marvel's courage is tested, though she eventually aids in bringing about Maelstrom's downfall and saves Tigra's life.
Rom #65-66 (1985)
Captain Marvel joins the heroes who rally to Earth's defense when the Dire Wraiths attempt to merge the planet with Wraithworld during WRAITH WAR.
Avengers #252-254 (1984)
Avengers #255(pp.1-15) (1985)
First appearance of Gunthar, Kehl, Levan and Skunge; the Avengers' standing with the US Government is seriously damaged; the Vision passes leadership of the Avengers to Captain America; Captain Marvel encounters a suspicious band of aliens aboard Sanctuary II during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers #255(pp.15-22)-259 (1985)First appearance of Nebula and Terminus/Jorro; the Vision and Scarlet Witch leave the Avengers; Captain Marvel realises the aliens aboard Sanctuary II are space pirates when she meets their leader, Nebula, who claims to be the granddaughter of Thanos; Nebula plans to use Captain Marvel in a plot to take over the Skrull Empire; the Avengers ally with the Skrulls against Nebula during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers #260 (1985)
Captain Marvel is instrumental in Nebula's defeat, but the Avengers fail to apprehend her when the due to the Beyonder's interference during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS / SECRET WARS II.
Avengers Annual #14(pp.1-29) (1985)
Avengers Annual #14(p.33) (1985)
Avengers Annual #14(pp.34-39) (1985) / Fantastic Four Annual #19(pp.35 - 39) (1985)
Avengers Annual #14(p.40) (1985)
A band of rebel Skrulls set off a Hyperwave Bomb to turn off the Skrulls' shape-shifting abilities and are unsuccessfully opposed by the Avengers and Fantastic Four during THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Avengers #261 (1985)
The Avengers encounter the Beyonder again when they return to Earth and the Wasp makes him a surprising offer during SECRET WARS II / THE WAR TO END ALL SKRULLS.
Secret Wars II #5 (1985)
First appearance of Boom-Boom (Tabitha Smith); both teams of Avengers pursue the Beyonder when they mistake his attempts to be a hero as the opposite during SECRET WARS II.
Avengers #262 (1985)
Namor the Sub-Mariner joins the Avengers; Stingray offers up Hydrobase as an airfield for Avengers Quinjets when the US Government stops them from launching from Avengers Mansion.
Avengers #263 (1986)
First appearance of Derek Freeman; Captain Marvel struggles to trust Namor; Captain Marvel investigates a cocoon at the bottom of Jamaica Bay that the Avengers take back to Avengers Mansion during THIRD GENESIS.
Captain America #314 (1986)
Captain Marvel and the Wasp suggest that events on other Earths are out of Avengers jurisdiction when Nighthawk travels from Earth-712 to Earth-616 to petition the heroes for help after the Squadron Supreme take over their America during ASYLUM.
Avengers #264 (1986)
First appearance of Yellowjacket (Rita DeMara); Captain Marvel fights a fire with her father; Rita DeMara steals Hank Pym's old Yellowjacket costume.
Secret Wars II #8 (1986)
Avengers #265 (1986)
Secret Wars II #9 (1986)
Avengers #266 (1986)
The Avengers try to calm the Beyonder when he announces his plans to wipe out the human race; Captain Marvel recruits the Molecule Man in an effort to save the Earth in the wake of the final battle with the Beyonder during SECRET WARS II.
Marvels: Eye of the Camera #4 (2009)
The world watches on as the Avengers try to save the planet from destruction due the chaos caused by the Beyonder.
New Mutants #40 (1986)
Emma Frost pits the Avengers against Magneto when he tries to rescue the New Mutants from her clutches.
Avengers #267-269 (1986)
First appearance of Ravonna Renslayer of Earth-8657 and the Council of Kangs; an alternate Kang kidnaps half of the Avengers; Captain Marvel, Captain America and Namor come to their rescue; Immortus reveals himself to be a future version of Kang.
Avengers #270(pp.1-20) (1986)
Captain Marvel asks for the Black Knight's help in understanding her powers; Namor receives a court summons amid public protests over his Avengers membership during ASSAULT ON ATLANTIS.
Incredible Hulk #320-322 (1986)
Marvels: Eye of the Camera #5(p.4) (2009)
Incredible Hulk #233 (1986)
The Avengers are called in to subdue the rampaging Hulk in order to merge him with Bruce Banner again.
Power Man and Iron Fist #125 (1986)
Captain Marvel is among the heroes who attend Iron Fist's funeral.
Avengers #270(pp.21-22)-271 (1986)
Avengers #272(pp.1-13) / Alpha Flight #39(pp.16-22) (1986)
Avengers #272(pp.14-22) (1986)
Namor quits the Avengers; the team come under attack from random super-villains; the Avengers join forces with Alpha Flight and Namor when Attuma takes over Atlantis and kidnaps Namor's wife, Marina, during ASSAULT ON ATLANTIS.
Avengers Annual #15 (1986)
West Coast Avengers Annual #1 (1986)
A former Avenger sets up an elaborate revenge plot to hit back at those he once called friends during SINS OF THE PAST.
Avengers #273-277 (1986-1987)
First full appearance of Baron Zemo's Masters of Evil; the Masters of Evil attack the Avengers, destroying Avengers Mansion and hospitalising Hercules; Captain Marvel rallies Thor and Doctor Druid to fight back against Baron Zemo and end the Masters' assault during UNDER SIEGE.
Avengers #278-279, 281-285(pp.1-21) (1987)
Wasp quits the Avengers over her failure to stop the Masters of Evil and is replaced by Doctor Druid; She-Hulk returns to the line-up; the Avengers relocate to Hydrobase; Captain Marvel accepts Captain America's offer to lead the Avengers after consulting with her parents; Namor the Sub-Mariner rejoins the Avengers; Zeus sends the Olympian Gods to capture the Avengers and bring them back to him for punishment over the state of his comatose son, Hercules.
Mephisto Vs #4(pp.1-21) (1987)
Thor #381(p.4) (1987)
Mephisto Vs #4(pp.22-25) / Thor #381(p.7) (1987)
Mephisto uses the Avengers as pawns in his efforts to claim Thor's soul during MEPHISTO VS.
X-Men vs the Avengers #1-4(pp.1-16) (1987)
Marvels: Eye of the Camera #5(p.16) (2009)
X-Men vs the Avengers #4(pp.17-28) (1987)
The Avengers and the Soviet Super-Soldiers both try to capture Magneto to make him stand trial for past crimes, with the X-Men caught in the middle; Magneto stands trial and uses the circuitry in his old helmet to change the mind of the judge who gives him the verdict, allowing his own freedom but inciting rage from the gathered crowds.
Captain America #329 (1987)
Captain Marvel cameo; Captain Marvel discovers two FBI agents breaking into Avengers Mansion in search of Captain America.
West Coast Avengers Annual #2 (1987)
Avengers Annual #16 (1987)
The Avengers and the Silver Surfer find themselves caught up in a game between Death and the Grandmaster; the Avengers battle a new Legion of the Unliving during WAR OF THE ELDERS OF THE UNIVERSE.
Captain America #332 (1987)
Captain Marvel cameo; when the US Government threaten to replace Steve Rogers as Captain America, Captain Marvel advises him to contact the Avengers' lawyer.
Avengers #285(p.22)-287 (1987-1988)
Doctor Druid secretly pries into the lives of his fellow Avengers; Captain Marvel leads the team against the Awesome Android and the Super-Adaptoid.
Solo Avengers #2[2/2] (1988)
Avengers #288-290 (1988)
First appearance of the Adaptoids and Heavy Metal; the Super-Adaptoid manipulates Machine Man into allying with him and also recruits the Awesome Android, Tess One and Sentry #459 into his robotic team, Heavy Metal; the Adaptoid summons Kubik (the personification of the Cosmic Cube) and adapts his cosmic powers and creates billions of Adaptoids; the Captain (Steve Rogers in his new identity) helps the Avengers and Kubik defeat the Super-Adaptoid.
Thor #390 (1988)
Thor visits Hydrobase to catch up with the Avengers and the Captain (Steve Rogers); Seth sends his Demons of Death to attack Thor and the Avengers help defeat them.
West Coast Avengers #31 (1988)
Captain Marvel contacts the West Coast Avengers to tell them about Iron Man's recent attack on Steve Rogers.
Alpha Flight #61 (1988)
Captain Marvel cameo; the Avengers watch the televised trial of Alpha Flight.
Marvel Fanfare #42[2/2] (1989)
With Marie Laveau's help, Captain Marvel travels back in time to obtain a blood sample from Dracula.
Avengers #291-294 (1988)
Avengers #305 (1989)
Captain Marvel cameo; a withered Monica Rambeau answers the Avengers' summons and reveals she's still unable to use her powers.
She-Hulk: Ceremony #1 (1989)
Captain Marvel cameo; Monica Rambeau attends a party held in She-Hulk's honour.
Captain Marvel Giant-Size Special #1 (1989)
First appearance of Powderkeg/Frank Skorina; Captain Marvel returns to action with a new set of powers and takes on the combined might of Powerkeg, Moonstone and crime boss Kristina Ramos.
Avengers Annual #18[1/4] (1989)
Fantastic Four Annual #22[1/5] (1989)
Captain Marvel joins the fight against the invading Atlantean armies and the rise of Set during ATLANTIS ATTACKS.
Avengers Spotlight #27[2/2] (1989)
The Awesome Android breaks out of the sunken Avengers Island; Captain Marvel is among the reserve Avengers who assemble to recapture him during ACTS OF VENGEANCE.
Avengers Annual #19[3/5] (1990)
Flashback: Captain Marvel takes part in the post 'Acts of Vengeance' clean-up.
Avengers Annual #19[1/5] (1990)
Avengers past and present assemble to stop Ulterminus (Terminus and the Termini combined) during THE TERMINUS FACTOR.
Quasar #17 (1990)
Captain Marvel is among the heroes challenged to a race by the Runner, one of the Elders of the Universe; she's disqualified for not touching the ground.
Avengers #329-330 (1991)
All of the Avengers gather when Captain America decides to select a new roster.
Marvel Fanfare #57[2/2] (1991)
Captain Marvel talks a woman out of committing suicide.
Avengers #332-333 (1991)
Captain Marvel attends the opening of the rebuilt Avengers Mansion which is soon interrupted by Doctor Doom.
Avengers #345 (1992)
Thor #445 (1992)
Quasar #33 (1992)
Wonder Man #8 (1992)
Thor #446 (1992)
Avengers West Coast #82 (1992)
Wonder Man #9 (1992)
Avengers #347 (1992)
Captain America #401 (1992)
First appearance of Glom, Hardball, Moondancer, Onslaught, Solar Wind, Voyager, the Starforce, Deathweb (Anthro, Arachne & Therak) and the Nega-Bomb; when war breaks out between the Kree and the Shi'ar, Captain Marvel leads the Avengers Reserve Substitutes on a mission to Shi'ar space; the squad is unable to stop the Shi'ar from deploying a Nega-Bomb against the Kree during OPERATION: GALACTIC STORM.
Captain America #408[3/3] (1992)
Captain Marvel cameo; Captain America gathers the reserve Avengers to debrief them on the events of the 'Infinity War'.
Quasar #41-42 (1992-1993)
Captain Marvel and the Avengers encounter the Blue Marvel, the man who claims to have replaced Quasar.
Captain Marvel #1 (1994)
Captain Marvel unearths a plot by the Sons of the Serpent to stir up racial hatred at Empire State University.
Starblast #1 (1994)
Quasar #54 (1994)
Starblast #2 (1994)
Quasar #55 (1994)
Starblast #3 (1994)
Quasar #56 (1994)
Starblast #4 (1994)
Quasar #57 (1994)
First appearance of Skar; a band of space pirate called the Starblasters come to Earth in search of the all-powerful Star Brand that made the jump from Earth-148611; Captain Marvel is among the heroes who oppose Skeletron's Starblasters during STARBLAST.
Monica Rambeau continues to operate under other identities:
- 1996-2005: Photon
- 2005-2013: Pulsar
- 2013-2015: Spectrum
Others pick up the mantle of Captain Marvel:
- 1996-2005: Genis-Vell
- 2004-2007: Phyla-Vell
- 2007-2008: Khn'nr
- 2009-2010: Noh-Varr
- 2012-2015: Carol Danvers
What If #3 (1989)
Captain Marvel of Earth-8909 is the leader of the Avengers in a world where Steve Rogers refused to give up the Captain America identity.
What If #55 (1993)
On Earth-93165, the Avengers lose Operation: Galactic Storm.
Galactic Guardians #1 (1994)
In a future timeline (Earth-691), Captain Marvel is among the last heroes standing when the Martians invade Earth.
Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau
Collects Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16, Avengers #227, 279, Avengers Unplugged #5, Captain Marvel #1, Captain Marvel Giant-Size Special #1, Marvel Fanfare #42, 57, Marvel Team-Up #142-143 and Solo Avengers #2.
Avengers: Absolute Vision vol.1-2.
Collects Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16, Avengers #231-254, Avengers Annual #11-13, Doctor Strange #60 and Fantastic Four #256.
Secret Wars
Secret Wars Battleworld Box Set Slipcase
Secret Wars Omnibus
Include Secret Wars #1-12.
Avengers: The Legacy of Thanos
Collects Avengers #255-261, Avengers Annual #14 and Fantastic Four Annual #19.
Avengers: The Once and Future Kang
Includes Avengers #262-269, Avengers Annual #15 and West Coast Avengers Annual #1.
Avengers Epic Collection vol.16: Under Siege
Collects Alpha Flight #39, Avengers #264-277, Avengers Annual #15 and West Coast Avengers Annual #1.
Avengers: Under Siege
Collects Avengers #270-277.
Avengers Epic Collection vol.18: Heavy Metal
Collects Avengers #286-302 and Avengers Annual #17.
Avengers: Assault on Olympus
Collects Avengers #278-285.
Avengers: Heavy Metal
Collects Avengers #286-293.
Collects Avengers #286-293.
Avengers Epic Collection vol.22: Operation: Galactic Storm
Avengers: Operation Galactic Storm vol.1-2
Include Avengers #345-347, Avengers West Coast #82, Captain America #401, Quasar #33, Thor #445-446 and Wonder Man #8-9.
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