The definitive, chronological, and up-to-date guide and trade reading order on collecting Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel comic books – including everything Carol Danvers – via omnibuses and trade paperback graphic novels. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated September 2023 with titles scheduled for release through April 2024.
Looking for Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel or Monica Rambeau as Capt. Marvel? They both graduated to their own guides! See Guide to Ms. Marvel – Kamala Khan or Guide to Monica Rambeau – Photon, Spectrum, & Capt. Marvel.
It’s fitting that the title of Captain Marvel has passed through the hands of so many Marvel heroes, since it tacitly implies the holder as a mascot for the entire Marvel Universe just as Captain America stands as a patriotic symbol of America.
Similarly, it makes sense that the title of Ms. Marvel – originally tied to women’s liberation in the 1970s – is now the name of a new generation of Pakastani-American hero.
In reality, adopting the name was a copyright grab by Marvel Comics, who wanted to prevent Fawcett Comics from using it for their own hero, rechristened Shazam (and later purchased by DC Comics) – which explains both the emergence of Ms. Marvel and why Marvel also finds a way to re-use the title for a new hero.
The original Captain Marvel wasn’t even of this planet! Captain Mar-Vell was a Kree Officer that found Stan Lee riffing on Silver Surfer by bringing an alien meant to scout Earth into its protector. However, it was Jim Starlin who made Mar-Vell truly notable when he became a cosmic hero and began to battle Thanos.
Later, a former police officer and frequent Avenger, Monica Rambeau, took on the name in the 1980s. Rambeau is a proven tactician who could transform her body into any kind of energy, including visible light and electricity.
In the late 90s, the title would pass to Mar-Vell’s son Genis-Vell, and after that to his sister Phyla-Vell. In Dark Reign, when many villains took on the mantles of heroes, Grant Morrison creation Noh-Varr AKA Marvel Boy wore the Captain mantle, though that was short-lived.
However, the majority of modern-day fans now know Captain Marvel as the original Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers. Danvers is one of Marvel’s earliest leading ladies and she’s been through it all – everything from being an Air Force pilot to having her mind and powers stolen in Rogue’s debut to gaining a flaming head and traveling through space with the Starjammers. After a powerful return to her own title in 2006, it felt incredibly fitting when she was promoted to “Captain” in 2012, and it seems that this title will stick for a long while thanks to Marvel adding Carol Danvers as Capt. Marvel to its Cinematic Universe.
With the name “Ms. Marvel” freed up by Danvers, Marvel created a new hero to fit the name. Kamala Khan is a teenage girl, major Carol Danvers fan, and a dormant Inhuman whose shape-changing powers are activated by the aftermath of Infinity.
With so many heroes, you can understand that this guide has a lot of sections! I’ve summarized them all here to let you jump around easily, but many of you probably want to hop right to Marvel Now for Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel.
Click to expand the table of contents of Captain Marvel characters prior to Carol Danvers
- Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel, Binary, & Warbird
- as Carol Danvers – Before Ms. Marvel
- as Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel (1977) and The Avengers (1977 – 1979)
- Omnibus – Premium color reprints in oversize hardcovers
- Marvel Masterworks – Premium color reprints in standard-size hardcovers with carefully-restored linework
- Epic Collections – Comprehensive color paperback collections of an entire title or character
- Marvel Essentials – Black-and-white reprints on newsprint paper
- Chronology by Single Issue (including guest appearances)
- as Binary in Binary & The Starjammers (1980 – 1998)
- as Warbird in Warbird & The Avengers (1998 – 2006)
- as Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel (2006) & The Mighty Avengers (2006 – 2012)
- Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel
- Marvel Now (2013 – 2015)
- Captain Marvel (2012) #1-17
- Captain Marvel (2014) #1-15
- All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy (2016 – 2018)
- Captain Marvel (2016)
- A-Force (2016)
- Ultimates (2015)
- The Mighty Captain Marvel (2016) #1-9 & (2017) 125-129 by Margaret Stohl
- Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell (2017) #1 [AKA The Bravest]
- Infinity Countdown: Captain Marvel (2018) #1
- Captain Marvel (2016)
- Marvel Fresh Start (2018 – Present)
- The Life of Captain Marvel (2018) #1-5 by Margaret Stohl, Carlos Pacheco, & Marguerite Sauvage
- Captain Marvel: Braver & Mightier (2019) #1 by Jody Houser & Simone Buonfantino
- Captain Marvel (2019) #1-50 & Annual 1 by Kelly Thompson
- Absolute Carnage: Ms. Marvel (2019) #1
- Marvel Action Captain Marvel (2019) #1-6 & Marvel Action Captain Marvel (2021) #1-5 by Sam Maggs
- Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest (2023) #1-5 by Ann Nocenti
- Captain Marvel: Assault on Eden (2023) #1 by Anthony Oliveira, Eleonora Carlini, & Ruth Redmond (Oct 2023)
- Captain Marvel (2023) #1-[TBA] by Alyssa Wong & Jan Jan Bazaldua
- Marvel Now (2013 – 2015)
- Non-Continuity Carol Danvers Stories
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Captain Marvel – Mar-Vell Reading Order
The Untold Legend of Captain Marvel (1997) #1-3
A retcon series imagining events from before Mar-Vell’s debut, as written by Tom Brevoort.
#1-3: Not collected.
Captain Marvel (1968) #1-62,
Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) #12-13, Marvel Spotlight (1979) #1-2,
& Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #1- The Death of Captain Marvel (1968 – 1979)
The original Capt. Marvel comic focused on a Kree soldier named Mar-Vell stationed on Earth. Mar-Vell debuted in Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) #12, and also starred in the next issue – which was the debut of Air Force Officer and base security chief Carol Danvers.
Carol would go on to star as a supporting character throughout this series, sans any superpowers, in issues #1-18, 34-35, and 40. She makes a stop in Avengers (1963) #90 just prior to issue #34.
Click to expand collections for this title.
Captain Marvel (2008) #1-5
#1-5: See Marvel Events: Secret Invasion. Also collects Civil War: The Return
Monica Rambeau as Captain Marvel
in The Avengers (1963), Captain Marvel (1989) #1 & (1994) #1
See Guide to Monica Rambeau – Photon, Spectrum, & Captain Marvel.
Captain Marvel – Genis-Vell Reading Order
Click to expand collections for Genis-Vell.
Carol Danvers – Ms. Marvel Reading Order
Carol Danvers – Before Ms. Marvel
Prior to her debut, Carol appears in the following
Logan: Shadow Society OGN (ISBN 0785102949)
Also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Wolverine (1988) #-1 in Essential Wolverine, Vol. 6
Before the Fantastic Four: Ben Grimm and Logan (2000) #1-3: Not collected
Captain Marvel (1968) #1-18, 34-35, & 40: See above in Mar-Vell for collection information. Carol makes a stop in Avengers (1963) #90 just prior to issue #34.
Ms. Marvel (1977 – 1979)
Carol Danvers breaks out in her own 25-issue solo series! Except, it’s only 23 issues…
Ms. Marvel #24-25 were not released in 1979 when the series was cancelled, though they were plotted and written at that time. They were printed much later in Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #10-11, but are collected in Ms. Marvel’s Essentials volume effectively as #24-25, as they fall prior to Ms. Marvel’s encounter with Rogue in Avengers Annual 10. However, they are not her next sequential stories, as you will see below.
in a single omnibus…
Capt. 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) #197-199 (excerpts), 200 & Annual 10; and material from Marvel Super-heroes (1990) #10-11 and Marvel Fanfare (1982) #24
in a pair of premium format color Masterworks…
The single Essential book or the pair of Masterworks each collect the entirety of this series; Masterworks adds some supporting stories from Avengers and Marvel Fanfare.
Ms. Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 1
Collects #1-14
Ms. Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 2
Collects #15-23, Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #10-11, Avengers (1963) #197-199 (excerpts), 200 & Annual 10, and material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) #24
in a pair of color Epic Collections…
Vol. 1: This Woman, This Warrior
Collects Ms. Marvel (1977) #1-14, Marvel Team-Up (1972) #61-62, and Defenders (1972) #57
Vol. 2: The Woman Who Fell to Earth
Collects Ms. Marvel (1977) #15-23, Marvel Two-in-One (1974) 51 [this was not in the Masterworks volume, above!), Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #10-11, Avengers (1963) #197-199 (excerpts), 200 & Annual 10, and material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) #24.
in one black and white Essential edition…
Essential Ms. Marvel
Collects #1-23, Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #10-11, and Avengers Annual 10.
A single issue chronology of every appearance of the original run of Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel…
Then, after all of her appearances in the 1968 series, she begins to appear in her own title.
Ms. Marvel #1-10: In Masterworks & Essential, above. #1 is also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers and Captain Marvel: Starforce (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302917975 / digital)
Marvel Team-Up (1972) #61-62: Collected variously in: Essential Marvel Team-Up, Vol. 3, Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne, Vol. 0, Fantastic Four By John Byrne Omnibus, Vol. 1, Spider-Man: Marvel Team Up by Claremont & Byrne
Ms. Marvel #11-14: In Masterworks & Essential, above
The Defenders (1972) #57: See The Defenders
Ms. Marvel #15-18: In Masterworks & Essential, above
Avengers (1963) #171-172: See Avengers #105-226
Ms. Marvel #19:In Masterworks & Essential, above. Also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Avengers (1963) #175-177: See Avengers #105-226
Ms. Marvel #20-22:In Masterworks & Essential, above
Avengers (1963) Annual 8: See Avengers #105-226. This 1978 Annual falls after Ms. Marvel #22 and begins a sequence of appearances in other titles.
The Defenders (1972) #62-63: See The Defenders. This is Ms. Marvel’s next appearance after the Avengers Annual, above.
Marvel Team-Up (1972) #76-77: Not collected. This is Ms. Marvel’s appearance prior to Captain America, below. See Spider-Man.
Captain America #237: See Captain America. This is Ms. Marvel’s appearance prior to Avengers, below.
Avengers (1963) #181: See Avengers #105-226. Ms. Marvel returns to her own title in #23 after this appearance.
Ms. Marvel #23: In Masterworks & Essential, above
Avengers (1963) #183-185: See Avengers #105-226. Issues #183-184 are also The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Marvel Two-in-One #51: Essential Marvel Two-in-One, Vol. 2
Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #10-11: In Masterworks & Essential, above. As described above, these are effectively Ms. Marvel #24-25. The final pages of #11 recap some of the action in Avengers Annual 10 (since it was published long after Annual 10).
Fantastic Four Annual 14: See Fantastic Four
Iron Man #125: See Iron Man
Avengers (1963) #186-200: See Avengers #105-226. Ms. Marvel skips #189 and Annual 9. Issues #197-200 are in Masterworks, above.
Avengers (1963) Annual 10: In Masterworks & Essential, above. See also Avengers #105-226. This is Rogue’s debut. Here Ms. Marvel ends her initial run as a super-hero.
Avengers (1963) Annual 10: Cap. Marvel vs. Rogue (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302926519 / digital)
Collects a number of famous Carol vs. Rogue confrontations from Avengers Annual 10; Uncanny X-Men (1963) 158, 171, & 269; Ms. Marvel (2006) #9-10; X-Men: Legacy (2008) #269-270; Capt. Marvel (2019) #4-5; and material from Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #11
Binary & The Starjammers (1980 – 1998)
After losing her powers and part of her psyche to the then-villainous mutant Rogue, Carol Danvers moves into the X-Men Mansion to work with Charles Xavier on her recovery. However, her convalescence doesn’t last long – soon she finds a new power set, and when Rogue joins the team Carol takes her leave of the X-Men to join the space-faring Starjammers .
as Carol Danvers…
Uncanny X-Men (1963) #150, 153-154, 158: See Uncanny X-Men #142-280
Uncanny X-Men #161-164: See Uncanny X-Men #142-280. #164 also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
as Binary…
Uncanny X-Men #166-167 & 171, 174: See Uncanny X-Men #142-280
Spider-Woman #50: Essential Spider-Woman, Vol. 2
Marvel Fanfare #24: Not collected
Uncanny X-Men #175 & 177: See Uncanny X-Men #142-280
The Starjammer Years…
New Mutants #19: See New Mutants
Uncanny X-Men #200-201: See Uncanny X-Men #142-280
Binary leaves of Earth with the Starjammers for several years of publication time…
New Mutants #50-51: See New Mutants
X-Men: Spotlight on the Starjammers #2: Not collected
Uncanny X-Men #275-277: See Uncanny X-Men #142-280
Operation Galactic Storm: See Marvel Universe Events
Avengers #348, 350-351: See Avengers #227-402
Quasar #54-57 & Starblast #1-4: Not collected
These titles are interwoven in continuity as part of a Starblast storyline that also appears in Fantastic Four #385-386, Namor #46-48, and Secret Defenders #11, though Ms. Marvel only appears in these eight issues. The correct read order is: Starblast #1, Quasar #54, Secret Defenders #11, Starblast #2, Quasar #55, Namor #47, Fantastic Four #385, Starblast #3, Namor #48, Quasar #56, Fantastic Four #386, Starblast #4
X-Men Unlimited #13 & Silver Surfer, Vol. 3 #123: Not collected; a two-part story
After this, Carol Danvers is unseen in the Marvel Universe until the relaunch of the Avengers in 1998, at which point she is known as Warbird. Jump to Warbird & The Avengers.
Warbird & The Avengers (1998 – 2006)
When the newly-returned Avengers put out the call for heroes in a crisis, Carol Danvers turns up in her Ms. Marvel uniform but bearing her Binary red skin and powers. However, she discovered that her powers were slowly draining away, which left her depressed and increasingly reliant on alcohol to unwind.
Avengers #1-6: See The Avengers (1996-2005). #4 is also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Live Kree or Die: Iron Man #7, Captain America #8, Quicksilver #10, Avengers #7
Peculiarly, this crossover is included in full in Avengers Assemble, Vol. 1 TPB, but not in the corresponding OHC.
Iron Man #11-12: See Iron Man
Wolverine, Vol. 2 #133-134 & 138: See Wolverine
Avengers #16-18: See The Avengers (1996-2005)
Iron Man #18: See Iron Man
Contest of Champions II #3-5 in Marvel Contest of Champions II TPB
Iron Man #21-25: See Iron Man
Avengers #26-30: A guest appearance in Warlock #8 occurs between #27-28. See The Avengers (1996-2005)
Magneto: Dark Seduction #2-4: Not collected
Avengers #31-34 & Thunderbolts #43-44
See The Avengers (1996-2005). Hulk Annual 2000 falls after Avengers #31, and is not collected.
Iron Fist / Wolverine #2: This is only a cameo
Maximum Security: Ms. Marvel appears in Maximum Security #1-2, Avengers #35, X-Men Unlimited #29, & Maximum Security #3. See Marvel Events: Maximum Security
Avengers #36-37: See The Avengers (1996-2005)
A brief appearance in Black Panther #27 falls here, and has not been collected.
Sentry TPB
Ms. Marvel appears in Sentry #5, Sentry/Spider-Man, Sentry-Void
An appearance in the 9/11 tribute story in Amazing Spider-Man #36 falls after the Sentry issues
Avengers #38-44: See The Avengers (1996-2005)
An appearance in Infinity Abyss #1 falls after Avengers #40; see Marvel Events: Infinity Abyss
Iron Man Annual 2001: See Iron Man
Avengers: Ultron Initiative: See The Avengers (1996-2005)
Captain America #46-48: See Captain America
Thunderbolts #57: Not collected
Avengers #45-48 & 52-55: See The Avengers (1996-2005)
Though out-of-continuity, the cross-company book JLA/Avengers falls here.
The Order #2-3 & 5-6: Not collected
Black Panther #42-43: Not collected
Alias #3 & 6: Collected in Alias, Vol. 1 and Alias Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1
Citizen V and The V Battalion, Vol. 2 #3: Not collected
Avengers #57-61: See The Avengers (1996-2005)
X-Treme X-Men #11: See X-Treme X-Men
Wolverine/Captain America #1-4: Wolverine/Captain America TPB. Warbird co-stars. Also collects Wolverine #124.
Alias #18: Collected in Alias, Vol. 3 and Alias Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2
Avengers #65-70: See The Avengers (1996-2005). Warbird quits the Avengers at the end of this run.
Iron Man #75 & #79: See Iron Man
Alias #24 & 28: Collected in Alias, Vol. 4 and Alias Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2
Iron Man #85: See Iron Man. Also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Avengers/Thunderbolts #6: Collected in Avengers/Thunderbolts, Vol. 2: Best Intentions
Uncanny X-Men #445: See Uncanny X-Men #444-544
Avengers #82: See Guide to Avengers (1996-2005)
War Machine, Vol. 3 #1-5 (in flashback)
Avengers #501-503 & Finale: See Guide to Avengers (1996-2005). The infamous Avengers Disassembled story by Brian Michael Bendis
New Thunderbolts #4-6 in Vol. 1: One Step Forward
Marvel Team-Up #11-13 in Vol. 2: Master of the Ring
Young Avengers #8: See Guide to Young Avengers
I need to check on appearances in: Annual 1998: X-Men/Dr. Doom ’98 (1998) Annual, The Thing (2006) #1
Ms. Marvel (2006) #1-50, Annual 1, Giant-Size, Special, & Storyteller Special
& The Mighty Avengers and New Avengers (2006 – 2012)
This era actually begins with the alternate-reality event House of M, which stars Carol Danvers as one of the world’s premiere superheroes. It’s her return to reality with those memories intact that spurs her into action both in her own series and in The Avengers.
As recollected starting in 2018…
Capt. Marvel: Carol Danvers – The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 1 (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302910143 / digital)
Collects Ms. Marvel (2006) Giant-Size Ms. Marvel #1, and Ms. Marvel Special #1
Capt. Marvel: Carol Danvers – The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 2 (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302911744 / digital)
Collects Ms. Marvel (2006) #18-34 & Annual 1
Capt. Marvel: Carol Danvers – The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 3 (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302915636 / digital)
Collects Ms. Marvel (2006) #35-50, Ms. Marvel Special: Storyteller, and Siege: Spider-Man
As originally released…
House of M: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – House of M. Specifically, Ms. Marvel appears in the main series and in New Thunderbolts #11.
#1-5 & Giant-Size Ms. Marvel: Vol. 1: Best of the Best (2005 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785122814 / 2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785119968 / digital)
You can read New Avengers #15 as a prologue to this collection.
Next in The Pulse #11-13 (see Guide to Jessica Jones), a brief appearance in New Thunderbolts #13-14 (see Guide to Thunderbolts & Dark Avengers), New Avengers (2015) #17-20 & Annual 1 (See Guide to New Avengers), Iron Man #10-11 (see Guide to Iron Man – Tony Stark)
Civil War: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War. Ms. Marvel is a key player in Civil War and appears regularly in the main event series and many tie-ins.
#6-10: Vol. 2: Civil War (2007 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785123040 / 2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785123057 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785198130 / digital)
Also collects Ms. Marvel Special. Issues #9-10 also in Capt. Marvel vs. Rogue (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302926519 / digital)
#11-17: Vol. 3: Operation Lightning Storm (2007 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785128908 / 2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785124498 / digital)
Mighty Avengers (2007) #1-6 – See Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates. Issue #1 occurs during Ms. Marvel #13. Then, in Avengers/Invaders #1-12 – See Guide Mighty Avengers & Ultimates. Then, between Ms. Marvel #14-15 in Mighty Avengers (2007) #7-11 – see Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates, as well as New Avengers (2005) #28-30 & 34-36. Finally, in New Warriors #1-7.
World War Hulk: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – World War Hulk. Ms. Marvel is glancingly involved in this event.
Ms. Marvel Annual 1 fits here, though it was published much later!
#18-24: Vol. 4: Monster Smash (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785130185 / 2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785128137 / digital)
Captain Marvel (2008) #1-5: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Invasion. Also collects Civil War: The Return. Issues #4-5 reprinted in the single issue Capt. Marvel / Ms. Marvel: Secret Invasion – The Infiltration #1
#25-30: Vol. 5: Secret Invasion (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785130192 / 2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785132998 / digital)
Issues #25-27 also collected in the Secret Invasion: Rise of the Skrulls (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912468 / digital). Issue #25 reprinted in the single issue Capt. Marvel / Ms. Marvel: Secret Invasion – The Infiltration #1
Secret Invasion: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events- Secret Invasion
Mighty Avengers (2007) #12-20 – See Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates. Further confusing matters, Carol now joins the cast of New Avengers (2005)! For New Avengers (2005) #48-50 – see Guide New Avengers.
#31-34 & Annual 1: Vol. 6: Ascension (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785134572 / 2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785131786 / digital)
Also collects Ms. Marvel Special: Storyteller. Issues#32-32 also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
#35-41: Vol. 7: Dark Reign (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785138389/ 2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785138396 / digital)
New Avengers (2005) #51-54: See Guide to New Avengers (2005)
#42-46: Vol. 8: War of Marvels (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785138402 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785138419 / digital)
New Avengers (2005) #55-60 – See Guide to New Avengers
#47-50: Vol. 9: Best You Can Be (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785145738 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785145745 / digital)
Siege: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Siege. Ms. Marvel plays a featured role both in the main mini-series and in New Avengers.
Ms. Marvel in the Heroic Age (2010 – 2012)
With her own title concluded, Carol Danvers continued to appear alongside the Avengers starting from the launch of “The Heroic Age” in 2010 through the end of Avengers vs. X-Men and the beginning of Marvel Now at the start of 2013. In this entire period, she is an ongoing supporting character in both Avengers (2010) and New Avengers (2010). See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present)
Spider-Island: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events- Spider-Island. Ms. Marvel is a guest-star in this event.
Fear Itself: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events- Fear Itself. Ms. Marvel is a background character in this event.
Avengers Assemble (2012) #1-8: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). Ms. Marvel is a background character in this story that works as both a prelude to Bendis’s Guardians of the Galaxy and a reassembly of the Avengers to better reflect the team seen in the film.
Avengers vs. X-Men: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Avengers vs. X-Men. Ms. Marvel is a background character in this event.
Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel (2012 – present)
The period leading up to Marvel Now in 2012 represented the biggest push Carol Danvers ever received from Marvel – and that includes her original solo series, and even her starring role in the House of M!
Yet, Marvel Now marked the biggest milestone in her publishing history since her debut.
What’s different? First, Carol graduates from “Ms.” to “Captain,” per advice of fellow captain Steve Rogers.
Second, she gets a bold new costume design by artist Jamie McKelvie.
Third, she returns to the main Avengers squad in a starring role under the pen of Jonathan Hickman.
And, fourth, a brand new character – Kamala Khan – took up the mantle of Ms. Marvel as a dedicated fan of Carol’s!
Marvel Now (2012 – 2016):
Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel (2012) #1-17 & (2014) #1-15
This marks the first time Carol Danvers’s title has beem written by a female author. Kelly Sue DeConnick seems to understand her in a way that no previous author ever has. Seemingly uninteresting plots like a time travellng prop plan and fighting a giant robot seem to be the best Carol Danvers stories ever told because they dig so deeply into her personality and history.
Gone are the broad strokes of “overconfident female superhero.” They are replaced with nuanced shades of duty, self-confidence, and addiction.
The best part? Marvel’s other writers are following suit, portraying this newly-redesigned, newly-confident version of Carol as a marquee hero across a number of other titles.
in a single oversize hardcover omnibus…
by Kelly Sue DeConnick (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302946678 / digital)
Collects Captain Marvel (2012) #1-17, Captain Marvel (2014) #1-15, Avengers: The Enemy Within (2013) #1, Avengers Assemble (2012) #16-19, Avenging Spider-Man (2011) #9-10, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps (2015) #1-4
as recollected in “Earth’s Mightiest Hero,” which are effectively Complete Collections…
Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 1 (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901271 / digital)
Collects (2012) #1-12, but misses out in pulling in an obvious handful of team-up appearances from Avenging Spider-Man and A+X
Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 2( 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901288 / digital)
Collects (2012) #13-17 and crossovers into Avengers: The Enemy Within (2013) one-shot and Avengers Assemble (2012) #16-17. Issues #15-16 were previously only available in the Infinity Companion hardcover.
Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Vol. 3 (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302902681 / digital)
Collects (2014) #1-11.
Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Vol. 4 (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302902698 / digital)
Collects (2014) #12-15 and the non-continuity Secret Wars series Captain Marvel and The Carol Corps (2015) #1-4.
The numbering of this series continues to one more volume after Secret Wars; see below in All-New All-Different Marvel.
as originally collected with guest appearances incorporated…
(2012) #1-6: Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785165491 / digital)
This represents Carol’s first adventure in the new Capt. Marvel title and costume. #1 is also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Avenging Spider-Man (2011) #9-10: Marvel-Verse: Captain Marvel (2021 digest-size paperback, ISBN 978-1302926847 / digital)
This team-up story was one of the first chronological appearances of Carol as Capt. Marvel. Also, see Guide to Spider-Man, Peter Parker (1963-2018).
A+X (2013) #6: See Guide to Uncanny Avengers. Carol Danvers spends half an issue teaming up with Wolverine.
Age of Ultron: See Guide to Marvel Events – Age of Ultron. Carol makes only a brief appearance in this event, although she appears in the Avengers Assemble AU #14-15 tie-ins.
Avengers (2012) #1-5: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). Carol is a participant in this first Jonathan Hickman Avengers story, though she doesn’t have many solo moments.
Red She-Hulk (2012) #58-62: See Guide to Red She-Hulk. Carol Danvers is a recurring guest-star in this run.
Avengers (2012) #6-11: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). Carol continues to participate, and is the focus of issue #11.
Avengers: Endless Wartime (2013) OGN: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). An original graphic novel by Warren Ellis & Michael Mckone that features Carol Danvers as a core cast member and, honestly, the most competent Avenger in the book.
Avengers Assemble (2012) #9-13 & Annual 1: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). Carol is one of the lead characters in this arc.
(2012) #6-12: Vol. 2: Down (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785165507 / digital)
A strong pair of stories, although the second includes some highly stylized art. The first is a giant-robot battling team-up between two generations of Capt. Marvel – Carol and Monica Rambeau. The second is a story about Carol’s life as she battles a debilitating medical condition and fights an imposter of one of her most famous enemies – Deathbird!
(2012) #13-14 & 17: The Enemy Within (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785184034 / digital)
Also collects crossover issues Avengers: The Enemy Within (2013) #1 and Avengers Assemble (2012) #16-17
Avengers (2012) #12-17: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). Carol plays a supporting role in the second story in this run.
(2012) #15-16: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events- Infinity. These Infinity tie-in issues were not initially collected in the paperback collections covering this series and were only available in Infinity collections. However, recollections of this series later included them in sequence, as in Kelly Sue DeConnick Omnibus and Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Vol. 2, both above.
Infinity: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Infinity. Carol appears throughout this event, though her main action is in her own tie-in isues.
Avengers Assemble (2012) #21-25: See Guide to Avengers Flagship Titles (2010-Present). Carol is a background player in this highly enjoyable girl-power romp.
(2014) #1-6: Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190134 / digital)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2013) #14-16 & Annual 1: See Guide to Guardians of the Galaxy. Carol joins the Guardians!
(2014) #7-11: Vol. 2: Stay Fly (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785190141 / digital)
(2014) #12-15: Vol. 3: Alis Volat Propriis (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785198413 / digital)
Secret Wars: See Guide Marvel Universe Events – Secret Wars 2015. Carol appears briefly in the main Secret Wars (2015) series, as well as in two out-of-continuity mini-series – as the lead character in Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps (2015) #1-4 and as a supporting character in Secret Wars: A-Force (2015) #1-4.
as recollected by storyline or single issue…
(2012) #1-8 & 17: Capt. Marvel: The Saga of Carol Danvers (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951818 / digital)
Collects Capt. Marvel (2012) #1-8 & #17 and The Life of Captain Marvel (2018) #1-5. Issues #7-8 also in in Marvel-Verse: Monica Rambeau – Photon (2023 digest-size paperback, ISBN 978-1302951672 / digital)
(2012) #17: Warzones: Captain Marvel & the Carol Corps (2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785198659 / digital)
Also reprints Capt. Marvel (2012) #17.
(2014) #7-8: Marvel-Verse: Captain Marvel (2021 digest-size paperback, ISBN 978-1302926847 / digital)
Collects Avenging Spider-Man (2011) #9-10, Capt. Marvel (2014) #7-8, Generations: Captain Marvel and Captain Mar-Vell (2017) #1
All-New, All-Different Marvel:
Captain Marvel (2016) #1-10 & A-Force (2016) #1-10
See Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates for Carol’s role in Ultimates during this period.
as recollected in a single, final volume of “Earth’s Mightiest Hero,” which are effectively Complete Collections…
Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 5 (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302915414 / digital)
Collects (2016) #1-10.
as originally collected…
#1-5: Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785196426 / digital)
A-Force (2016) #1-4: Vol. 1: Hypertime (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785196051 / digital)
Civil War II: See Marvel Universe Events – Civil War II. Carol is the lead character in this event.
#6-10: Vol. 2: Civil War II (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785196433 / digital)
A-Force (2016) #5-10: Vol. 2: Civil War II or The Dying Light (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785196068 / digital)
All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy (2015 – 2018):
The Mighty Captain Marvel (2016) #1-9 & (2017) 125-129 by Margaret Stohl,
Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell (2017) #1 [AKA The Bravest],
& Infinity Countdown: Captain Marvel (2018) #1
This series by by Margaret Stohl was interrupted at the end of Secret Empire for the Generations one-shot, also by Stohl, before continuing for an arc in “Legacy numbering” that takes into account all prior issues of Carol’s comics (but not the original 1968 series).
as recollected in paperback…
Captain Marvel by Margaret Stohl (2024 paperback, ISBN pending / digital TBA)
Collects The Mighty Captain Marvel (2016) #0-9, Capt. Marvel (2017) #125-129, Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell (2017) #1, The Life of Captain Marvel (2018)# 1-5
as originally collected…
#0-4: Vol. 1: Alien Nation (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906054 / digital)
Original solicits had this including issue #5.
#5-9: Vol. 2: Band of Sisters (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906061 / digital)
The entirety of this arc ties in with Secret Empire.
Secret Empire: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Empire. Carol is a main player in the space contingent of this event, but that is mostly reflected in issues #6-9 of her book.
Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell (2017) #1 [AKA The Bravest]: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Generations & Marvel Legacy. One of a series of special one-shots that directly followed Secret Empire, with present-day “Legacy” heroes interacting with past versions of the prior heroes who held the same title. Also collected in Marvel-Verse: Captain Marvel (2021 digest-size paperback, ISBN 978-1302926847 / digital). There was also an issue of “Generations: Ms. Marvel & Ms. Marvel AKA The Marvels” featuring Kamala Khan and a version of Carol from the past.
#125-129: Vol. 3: Dark Origins (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906078 / digital)
Infinity Countdown: Captain Marvel (2018) #1: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Infinity Countdown & Infinity Wars. Carol continues from issue #129 directly to this one-shot as part of Infinity Countdown and Infinity Wars, and she continues to appear throughout the event.
Marvel Fresh Start:
The Life of Captain Marvel (2018) #1-5 by Margaret Stohl, Carlos Pacheco, & Marguerite Sauvage
Carol Danvers begins Marvel Fresh Start as a member of the Avengers and as one of the stars of Infinity Wars. Margaret Stohl continues to write Carol Danvers in The Life of, a series that seriously alters Carol’s origins. It’s set at a slightly-confusing time in this period – the book claims to be set many months into the future, during which time she is on leave from the Avengers!
#1-5: The Life of Captain Marvel (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912536 / digital)
Reprinted in a Marvel Select Edition (2020 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302921224 / digital)
#1-5: The Saga of Carol Danvers (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951818 / digital)
Collects Capt. Marvel (2012) #1-8 & #17 and The Life of Captain Marvel (2018) #1-5.
#1-5: Captain Marvel by Margaret Stohl (2024 paperback, ISBN pending / digital TBA)
Collects The Mighty Captain Marvel (2016) #0-9, Capt. Marvel (2017) #125-129, Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell (2017) #1, The Life of Captain Marvel (2018)# 1-5
Captain Marvel: Braver & Mightier (2019) #1 by Jody Houser & Simone Buonfantino
#1: Avengers Assemble: Living Legends (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916381 / digital)
Collects a series of throw-back one-shot stories from Thor: Where Walk The Frost Giants, Black Panther: The Sound and The Fury, Avengers: Shards of Infinity, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Living Legends, and Captain Marvel: Braver and Mightier.
Captain Marvel (2019) #1-50 & Annual 1 by Kelly Thompson
Captain Marvel: The End (2020) #1, & Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel (2019) #1
Carol is an on-and-off member of Jason Aaron’s Avengers during this period. Sometime prior to issue #50, she becomes the leader of the Jed MacKay’s Avengers. See Guide to Avengers Flagships (2010 – present) for collection information.
in oversize hardcover…
By Kelly Thompson Omnibus, Vol. 1 (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302949952 / digital)
Collects Captain Marvel (2019) #1-26 and Captain Marvel: The End (2020) #1
as recollected in paperback…
by Kelly Thompson Vol. 1 (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302950989 / digital)
Collects Captain Marvel (2018) #1-11 and Captain Marvel: The End (2020) #1
as originally collected and recollected by storyline or single issue…
#1-5: Vol. 1: Re-Entry (2o19 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916879 / digital)
#4-5: Captain Marvel vs. Rogue (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302926519 / digital)
Collects a number of famous Carol vs. Rogue confrontations from Avengers Annual 10; Uncanny X-Men (1963) 158, 171, & 269; Ms. Marvel (2006) #9-10; X-Men: Legacy (2008) #269-270; Captain Marvel (2019) #4-5; and material from Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #11
Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel (2019) #1: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Absolute Carnage. A one-shot written by Emily Ryan Lerner. This is routinely collected alongside the event and its companion collections.
#6-11: Vol. 2: Falling Star (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916886 / digital)
#12-17: Vol. 3: The Last Avenger (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923082 / digital)
Has Carol gone bad? Watch as she kills each of her Avengers team-mates – but, there’s more than meets the eye to this slaughter!
#18-21: Vol. 4: Accused (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925628 / digital)
Also collects Empyre (2020) #2
Star (2020) #1-5: Star: Birth of a Dragon (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924584 / digital)
A series for Carol’s new break-out villain.
Captain Marvel: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1: Marvels Snapshots (2021 hardcover, 978-1302924966)
One of a series of flashback one-shots inspired by the classic Marvels mini-series. Collects Sub-Mariner: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Fantastic Four: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Captain America: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, X-Men: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Avengers: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Spider-Man: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Civil War: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Captain Marvel: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1
#22-26: Vol. 5: The New World (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925956 / digital)
#27-30: Vol. 6: Strange Magic (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925963 / digital)
#31-36: Vol. 7: The Last of the Marvels (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928841 / digital)
#37-41 & Annual 1: Vol. 8: The Trials (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302932640 / digital)
#42-46: Vol. 9: Revenge of the Brood (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302947620 / digital)
#47-50: Vol. 10: Revenge of the Brood, Pt. 2 (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302947637 / digital)
Note that there is an indirect crossover between issues #45-47 and X-Men (2021) #19-21. Reading the X-Men issues adds background to the Brood plot, but Carol does not appear and all of the relevant information is recapped within #48-49.
Marvel Action Captain Marvel (2019) #1-6 & (2021) #1-5
Unlike many of IDW’s “Marvel Action” all-ages titles, there’s not anything about this book that forces it to live outside of regular Marvel continuity. Sam Maggs perfectly captures Carol’s voice, which yields some of my favorite Carol Danvers panels in years!
as recollected in full…
Game On (2023 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1302951153)
Collects both (2019) #1-6 & (2021) #1-5
as originally collected…
(2019) #1-3: Book One: Cosmic CAT-tastrophe (2020 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1684056248 / digital)
An intensely-charming and continuity-lite Carol (+Jess!) adventure that perfectly captures the right tone for the character.
(2019) #4-6: Book Two: A.I.M. Small (2020 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1684056842 / digital)
A continuity-lite YA adventure co-starring the Unstoppable Wasp.
(2021) #1-5: Book Three Ghost in the Machine (2021 digest-sized paperback, ISBN 978-1684057863 / digital)
This includes a charming team-up with Squirrel Girl with some laugh out loud moments.
Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel (2022) #1-5
The return of the son of the original Capt. Marvel – Mar-Vell.
#1-5: Genis-Vell: Capt. Marvel (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302946722 / digital)
Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest (2023) #1-5
A present-day mini-series written by Ann Nocenti co-starring Spider-Woman.
#1-5: Dark Tempest (2024 paperback, ISBN / digital TBA)
Captain Marvel: Assault on Eden (2023) #1
by Anthony Oliveira, Eleonora Carlini, & Ruth Redmond (Oct 2023)
#1: Pending collection announcement
Captain Marvel (2023) #1-[TBA]
A relaunched ongoing written by Alyssa Wong with artist Jan Bazaldua.
#1-4: Vol. 1 (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957056 / digital TBA)
Non-Continuity Carol Danvers
Captain Marvel: Shadow Code (2023 hardcover novel / digital / audiobook CD / digital audiobook)
Captain Marvel: The End (2020) #1: The End (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924997 / digital)
Collects various “The End” one-shots imagining the future of the Marvel Universe – Captain America: The End, Captain Marvel: The End, Deadpool: The End, Doctor Strange: The End, Miles Morales: The End And Venom: The End.
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Phyla-Vell first appeared in volumes 3 and 4 of Captain Marvel (Vol 5) and claimed the name ‘Captain Marvel’ but didn’t make much use of it, then she showed up in She Hulk Vol 2 12-13, after that she was in Annihilation where she’d started going by Quasar so she kinda only just barely counts as a ‘Captain Marvel’
Khn’nr the Skrull who believed himself to be Mar-Vell also appeared sporadically and used the title through Civil war, secret invasion and his own short captain marvel series (Volume 6) https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Khn%27nr_(Earth-616)/Appearances
Thank You so much for this! I’ve been trying to piece together the reading order for a long time, this helped so much.
Essential Captain Marvel Vol. 2 actually contains issues 22-35, along with the Iron Man and Marvel Feature stories mentioned.
And, you are missing the trade paperback “The Life of Captain Marvel,” which is separate from “The Life and Death of Captain Marvel.”
Sorry, typo. Essential Captain Marvel Vol. 2 contains reprints of issues 22-35 AND #37-46. All in black and white, but still……