A guide to the many Captain Marvels over the years

By Chancellor Agard
September 08, 2018 at 10:40 AM EDT

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The (Captain) Marvel Universe 

DC Comics (2); Chuck Zlotnick/© Marvel Studios 2019

Captain Marvel — who will be played by Brie Larson in the forthcoming film Captain Marvel — isn’t the only hero carry this legendary title. Here’s a look back at other captains of note. 

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Carol Danvers

Marvel; Chuck Zlotnick/© Marvel Studios 2019

Gifted with superstrength, flight, and energy absorption after a freak accident spliced her DNA with the Kree alien Mar-Vell (see next slide), Carol Danvers is the current and most well known captain. Before taking on the mantle in 2012, Danvers was primarily known as Ms. Marvel. In addition to being a member of the Avengers, she has also led the Ultimates and Alpha Flight teams in space. She’ll make her big screen debut in Captain Marvel, out March 8, 2019. 

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Shazam

Steve Wilkie/© DC Comics

A blockbuster Superman knockoff created by Fawcett Comics in 1940, the first Captain Marvel was eventually acquired by DC Comics and rebranded as Shazam. Zachary Levi will play the mythical superhero in Warner Bros.’ Shazam, which hits theaters April 5, 2019. 

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Mar-Vell 

Marvel

A Kree alien sent to spy on Earth’s space program in the 1960s, Mar-Vell came to love humanity. After his death, his son Genis-Vell and daughter Phyla-Vell took up the mantle.

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Monica Rambeau

Marvel

These days Monica goes by Spectrum and uses her control over electromagnetic energy to help the Ultimates solve the galaxy’s ultimate problems alongside Colonel Danvers. A younger version of the character will appear in Captain Marvel, which also stars Lashana Lynch as Monica’s fighter pilot mother Maria. 

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Khn'nr

Marvel

Believing himself to be the real Mar-Vell, Khn’nr was actually a Skrull sleeper agent who was forced to take the form of the deceased hero as part of the Skrull’s secret invasion. 

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Noh-Varr

Marvel

During Marvel’s Dark Reign event, this young Kree hero, known as Marvel Boy, took up the Captain Marvel name when he joined Norman Osborne’s Dark Avengers. 

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