You don’t see nearly as many successful legacy characters in Marvel as you do in DC, but Captain Marvel (and Ms. Marvel) makes for one of Marvel’s strongest progressions through time. You have sevearl separate core characters that have occupied a “Marvel” title over time, and to make matters even more complicated, DC of course has their own Captain Marvel and Marvel Family!
Tedious and unappealing copyright explanations aside, the Marvel Comics Captain Marvel legacy has featured some of the best cosmic comics in Marvel history, the first Marvel graphic novel
Below you’ll find a proper reading order and suggested comics for all eras of the Captain Marvel legacy.
Index:
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II) Jim Starlin’s Cosmic Captain Marvel vs. Thanos
III) Carol Danvers – Ms. Marvel Origins
IV) Captain Marvel – Marvel’s First Original Graphic Novel
V) Carol Danvers in the Uncanny X-Men
VI) Monica Rambeau – A New Captain Marvel
VII) Ms. Marvel and the Avengers
VIII) Peter David’s Captain Marvel
IX) Ms. Marvel and The Mighty Avengers
X) Marvel Cosmic – Annihilation through Thanos Imperative
XI) Kelly Sue Deconnick’s Captain Marvel – Enter the Carol Corps.
XII) Kamala Khan – A New Ms. Marvel
XIII) Kamala Khan – Avenger
I) The Captain Marvel / Phil Lawson Years (Origins and Beginnings)
Of all the Captain Marvel origins, Doctor Philip Lawson is perhaps the most overlooked. The Captain Marvel mag began as an early foray into Marvel Cosmic, with a story launching out of Fantastic Four (Many Marvel characters like Black Panther or Silver Surfer have similar FF beginnings).
Stan Lee writes the first appearance of Captain Marvel in Marvel Super Heroes #12, but it’s Rollicking Roy Thomas who takes it from there.
The first 16 issues of Captain Marvel are for die-hards only, although the Kree-centric story is referenced frequently in Kelly Sue Deconnick’s later run on Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel #17 marks both the beginnings of Mar-Vell’s more familiar costume, and his ties to Rick Jones.
Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel – Volume 1
Issues: Marvel Super-Heroes #12 to #13, Captain Marvel #1 to #9
Essential Captain Marvel, Vol. 1
Issues: Marvel Super-Heroes #12 to #13, Captain Marvel #1 to #21
As you’ll note, the essential volume one overlaps with the preceding collection. Masterworks volume 2 is well out of print, and this lone essential collection is going to be your most cost effective bet for the first 21 (+2) issues of Captain Marvel.
Which brings us to the good stuff.
II) Jim Starlin’s The Life of Captain Marvel & Thanos War!
Jim Starlin is one of my all-time favorite Marvel writer / artist / storytellers. For the unfamiliar, Starlin is the cosmic brilliance behind the likes of The Infinity Gauntlet
Starlin’s first credit appears in Captain Marvel #25, but before we start on The Thanos War, Captain Marvel appears in another all-time classic:
Issues: Avengers #89 to #97
If you have a basic familiarity with The Avengers, you’re going to be just fine jumping into this great from Roy Thomas and Neal Adams at the peak of their comic powers. There are some era-specific oddities (Hawkeye is pretending to be Giant-Man… these things happen), but otherwise these are basically your father’s Avengers.
Issues: Captain Marvel #22 to #34
Get ready for a lot of early 70’s Cosmic awareness, and the first appearance of Thanos in The Thanos War! One of the best early Marvel cosmic stories.
For those on Marvel Unlimited, read Iron #55 prior to Captain Marvel #25, and read Avengers #125 prior to Captain Marvel #33.
Following Captain Marvel #34, we enter an oddly overlooked stretch on Captain Marvel. Issues #35 to #46 can be found in the Essential Captain Marvel, Vol. 2
Issues: Strange Tales #178 to #181, Warlock #9 to #15, Avengers Annual #7, Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2
If you enjoy Starlin’s run on Captain Marvel, I would highly recommend you also check out his follow-up on Adam Warlock. As you’d expect, this is an Adam Warlock story (as well as a Thanos follow up).
Nonetheless, for the Captain Marvel fanatics, Avengers Annual #7 features the return of the great Mar-Vell in “The Final Battle” against Thanos!
III) Carol Danvers – Ms. Marvel!
While Carol Danvers appears as a supporting character throughout Captain Marvel’s series, it isn’t until 1977 that Carol dons the Ms. Marvel mantle.
Captain Marvel: Ms. Marvel – A Hero is Born
Collects: Ms. Marvel (1977) 1-23; Marvel Team-Up (1972) 61-62, 76-77; Defenders (1972) 57; Marvel Two-In-One (1974) 51; Avengers (1963) 200, Avengers Annual (1967) 10; Material From Avengers (1963) 197-199, Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) 10-11, Marvel Fanfare (1982) 24
Issues: Ms. Marvel #1 to #23, Marvel Super-Heroes #10 to #11
As it stands (4.16), only the first issue of Carol’s first ongoing, by Gerry Conway and John Buscema, is included in Marvel Unlimited, making the essential collection your best bet.
Marvel Team-Up #61 to #62 – Spidey and Carol fight a Super Skrull
Meanwhile, over in the pages of Avengers #168 to #177, Captain Marvel makes a number of appearances in the classic Korvac Saga.
Beginning with Avengers #183 (mid 1979) Carol takes up fairly regular membership with The Avengers, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Some classics from this time include:
This will take you right up to the threshold of Avengers #200, which is for all intents and purposes the most sickly twisted Ms. Marvel story in history.
The early 80’s stay pretty terrible for Carol Danvers, as she encounters Rogue and Mystique in Avengers Annual #10. This is one of the more frequently referenced comics in Marveldom, as it forms the genesis of the Rogue we know in the X-Men.
IV) The Death of Captain Marvel
Marvel’s very first graphic novel, produced by Jim Starlin in 1982. It remains perhaps the most well known Marvel graphic novel, with the possible exception of X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
The Death of Captain Marvel
V) Carol Danvers – Binary & The Uncanny X-Men!
Carol gets back in the superhero game as Binary during Chris Claremont’s run on the Uncanny X-Men.
Now, while I would always encourage to just up and read the whole Claremont era of Uncanny X-Men, your most Carol-centric issues run from Uncanny X-Men #150 to #203 (that final issue is a Secret Wars II tie-in).
Now, since that’s still a lot of X-Men comics, I can narrow it down to:
Uncanny X-Men #158 to #167, and Uncanny X-Men #171!
VI) Monica Rambeau – Captain Marvel!
While she has become a lesser known Captain Marvel, and more known for her leadership in Warren Ellis’ phenonmenal Nextwave
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16
Avengers #227 to #242
Secret Wars #1 to #12
Avengers #243 to #259 – Includes Avengers: The Thanos Legacy
Avengers #260 to #277 – Includes Avengers: Under Siege
VII) Carol Danvers Back With The Avengers (1998 to 2002)
Carol Danvers, now in her Warbird identity, is in and out of the Kurt Busiek and George Perez run on Avengers, which can be found in Marvel Unlimited as Avengers (1998 to 2004).
Some of the most Carol-centric storylines can be found by reading:
Or in Marvel Unlimited as:
Iron Man (1998 to 2004) #24 to #25
Avengers (1998 to 2004) #26 to #56 (Carol remains a primary member of the Busiek Avengers through the Kang War and issue #56)
VIII) Peter David’s Captain Marvel
I explain how to navigate Peter David’s Captain Marvel series in more detail here.
This early 2000’s version of the Captain Marvel mantle transitions the title to Genis-Vell:
Avengers Forever
Issues: Captain Marvel (2000 to 2004) #0 to #6
Captain Marvel (2002 to 2004) in MU:
Volume 1: Nothing to Lose – issues #1 – #6
Volume 2: Coven – issues #7 – #12
Volume 3: Crazy like a Fox – issues #13 – #18
Volume 4: Odyssey – issues #19 – #25
IX) Brian Reed’s Solo Ms. Marvel + Mighty Avengers
Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) finally gets her own ongoing again from early 2006 to early 2010, and she also joins the Mighty Avengers following the aftermath of Civil War.
Nextwave
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: Best of the Best
Issues: #1 to #5
Issues: #1 to #12
Issues: #6 to #10 + Ms. Marvel Special
You can also see how these issues fight in with the rest of Civil War.
Issues: #1 to #11
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 3: Operation Lightning Storm
Issues: #11 to #17
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 4: Monster Smash
Issues: #18 to #24
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 5: Secret Invasion
Issues: #25 to #30
You can also see how these issues fit in with the rest of Secret Invasion.
Mighty Avengers: Secret Invasion
Issues: #12 to #20
Issues: #31 to #34
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 7: Dark Reign
Issues: #35 to #40
You can also see how these issues fit in with the rest of Dark Reign.
Issues: New Avengers #48 to #54, Secret Invasion: Dark Reign #1
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 8: War of the Marvels
Issues: #42 to #46
Issues: #55 to #64, New Avengers Finale #1
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 9: Best You Can Be
Issues: #47 to #50
X) Abnett / Lanning Marvel Cosmic
Thinking slightly outside the box on this one, the Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning Marvel Cosmic run is well worth a read regardless of the Captain Marvel connections.
Even so, these great cosmic issues do include plenty of Phyla-Vell, as well as a Captain Marvel connection later in the run as we approach the Thanos Imperative
So here’s the deal – if you’re all in, check out my Marvel Cosmic guide from Annihilation through Thanos Imperative.
If you’re here for the Carol Danvers and Kamala Khan, these aren’t the droids you’re looking for!
XI) Kelly Sue Deconnick’s Captain Marvel
The Carol Corps begin.
Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight
While not included in the first Captain Marvel by Deconnick collection, Avenging Spider-Man issues #9 and #10 both feature a Carol Danvers and Spider-Man team-up story written by Kelly Sue.
Chronologically these issues fall more or less right in the middle of Captain Marvel #1, and can either be read alongside the first issue, or after the first arc.
Reading Order: Avengers Enemy Within #1, Avengers Assemble #16, Captain Marvel #13, Avengers Assemble #17, Captain Marvel #14
Infinity – Captain Marvel’s final issues get tied-up in the 2013 Infinity event. If you’re reading on MU, just read Captain Marvel #15 to #17.
XII) A New Ms. Marvel – Kamala Khan!
The great new Ms. Marvel launches during Marvel NOW! Kamala’s series extends for 19 issues prior to Secret Wars, and the relaunched Captain Marvel starring Carol Danvers runs for 15 issues.
Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal
Captain Marvel Volume 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More
Ms. Marvel Volume 2: Generation Why
Captain Marvel Volume 2: Stay Fly
Captain Marvel Volume 3: Alis Volat Propriis
Ms. Marvel Volume 4: Last Days
The Last Days lead directly into Secret Wars (2015), which is my favorite Marvel event of all time. You’ll find Carol and Kamala in various Battleworld books, primarily:
Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps
XIII) Kamala Khan: Avenger, Carol Danvers: Ultimate Alpha Flight
Following Secret Wars, the All-New All-Different Marvel Universe quickly adds rising star Kamala Khan to the Avengers.
All-New All-Different Avengers: Vol. 1: The Magnificent Seven
Issues: Avengers #0 to #6
Ms. Marvel Vol. 5: Super Famous
Collects: Ms. Marvel 1-6
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight
Collects: Captain Marvel 1-5
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 1: Start With the Impossible
Collects: Ultimates 1-5, Avengers 0
Ms. Marvel Vol. 6: Civil War II
Collects: Ms. Marvel 7-12
Captain Marvel Vol. 2: Civil War II
Collects: Captain Marvel 6-10
Ultimates: Omniversal Vol. 2: Civil War II
Collects: Ultimates 7-12
XIV) Secret Empire and Marvel Legacy
Collects: Ms. Marvel 13-18
Collects: Ms. Marvel 19-24
The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 1
Collects: The Mighty Captain Marvel (2016) 0-5
Ultimates 2 Vol. 1: Troubleshooters
Collects: Ultimates 2 (2016) 1-6
The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 2: Band of Sisters
Collects: The Mighty Captain Marvel 5-9
Ultimates 2 Vol. 2: Eternity War
Collects: Ultimates 2 (2016) 7-12
The above two collection include tie-ins to Marvel’s 2017 event, Secret Empire.
Ms. Marvel Vol. 9: Teenage Wasteland
Collects: Ms. Marvel 25-30
The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 3: Dark Origins
Collects: Captain Marvel 125-130
Collects: The Life Of Captain Marvel 1-5
Collects: Ms. Marvel 31-38
From this point forward, you can check out the more recently updated complete guide to Kamala Khan comics!
Marvelous New Eras
Captain Marvel by Kelly Thompson & Carmen Carnero
Collects: Captain Marvel (2019) #1 to #11, Captain Marvel: The End
Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest #1 to #5
Latest Additions
Captain Marvel: Assault on Eden
Captain Marvel by Kelly Thompson & Carmen Carnero Vol. 6: Strange Magic
Collects: Captain Marvel (2019) #27 to #30
Captain Marvel by Kelly Thompson & Carmen Carnero Vol. 7: The Last of The Marvels
Collects: Captain Marvel (2019) #31 to #36
Captain Marvel by Kelly Thompson & Carmen Carnero Vol. 8: The Trials
Collects: Captain Marvel (2019) #37 to #41, Annual #1
Captain Marvel Vol. 9: Revenge of The Brood Part 1
Collects: Captain Marvel (2019) #42 to #46
Captain Marvel Vol. 10: Revenge of The Brood Part 2
Collects: Captain Marvel (2019) #47 to #50
Captain Marvel (2023) by Alyssa Wong and Jan Bazaldua
Collects: Captain Marvel (2023) #1 to #2
That is Walter Lawson, not Phil.
Is there a specific comic where Carol changes costumes from the black Ms Marvel Costume to the Captain marvel costume (is it shown/explained?) It seems like, in new Avengers she just appears in a new Costume and that’s that.
Thanks for the list, Dave. I’ve also read the A-force and I thought that was a pretty fun comic with Captain Marvel. Perhaps you could include it in the list?