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 June 2020 with titles scheduled for release through March 2021.
Looking for Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel? She has graduated to her own guide!
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 Captain Marvel 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 Marvel 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 Captain 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.
[Patreon-2017][/Patreon-2017]
- Captain Mar-Vell in Captain Marvel, Vol. 1 (1968 – 1979)
- Carol Danvers in Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 and The Avengers (1977 – 1979)
- Essentials & Masterworks
- Chronology by Single Issue (including guest appearances)
- Carol Danvers as Binary & The Starjammers (1980 – 1998)
- Monica Rambeau in The Avengers and Captain Marvel, Vol. 2 (1982 – 1994)
- Genis-Vell in Captain Marvel, Vol. 3, 4, & 5 (1995, 2000 – 2002, & 2002 – 2004)
- Carol Danvers as Warbird & The Avengers (1998 – 2006)
- Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel & The Mighty Avengers (2006 – 2012)
- To come: Phyla-Vell as Captain Marvel
- To come: Noh-Varr (Marvel Boy) as Captain Marvel
- Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel
- Marvel Now: Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, Vol. 6 & 7 and Avengers (2012 – -2015)
- All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy: Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel and Ultimates (2015 – present)
- Marvel Fresh Start: Carol Danvers in The Life of Captain Marvel (2018) and Captain Marvel (2019)
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Captain Marvel, Vol. 1 (1968 – 1979)
Air Force Officer and base security chief Carol Danvers debuted in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and co-starred in issues #1-18, 34-35, and 40 as a supporting character, sans super-powers. She makes a stop in Avengers #90 just prior to #34.
in black and white Essential editions…
Marvel’s Essentials line packs tons of comics into each black and white, phone-book-sized edition with newsprint paper. If you don’t care about color and glossy paper, this is the best way to acquire your favorite classic stories quickly.
#1-21: Essential Captain Marvel, Vol. 1 b&w
Also collects Marvel Super-Heroes #12-13.
#1-21: Essential Captain Marvel, Vol. 2 b&w
Also collects Iron Man #55 and Marvel Feature #12.
The Essentials line has been discontinued and will not extend past #21. Jump to that spot in the chronology.
in premium format color Masterworks…
Marvel Masterworks editions are high quality, full color reproductions of original issues issued in hardcover, though some early editions were also released in paperback.
This line collects every issue of Captain Mar-Vell as originally released.
Masterworks, Vol. 1: Marvel Super-Heroes #12-13 & Captain Marvel #1-9
Hardcover / Paperback
Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 2: #10-21
Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 3: #22-33 and Iron Man #55.
Note that Carol Danvers does not appear in this volume.
Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 4: #34-46
Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 5: #47-57, Avengers Annual 7. Marvel Two-in-One Annual 2.
Note that Carol Danvers does not appear in this volume.
Marvel Masterworks, Vol. 6: #58-62, Marvel Spotlight (1979) #1-4 & 8; Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #1; and Marvel Superheroes (1990) #3
Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) #12-13: Marvel Super-Heroes #12-13 was the introduction of Captain Marvel, and is collected along with the majority of his stories. #13 was also Carol Danvers’ debut, though it is not frequently recollected with her material aside from in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
#25-34: The Death of Captain Marvel
This is one of Marvel’s most-collected stories. Carol Danvers appears only glancingly. This is the main TPB that contains it, but several other Essentials collections contain some of these issues. The linked edition also collects Iron Man (1968) #55, Marvel Feature (1971) #12, and Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) #1. Issue #33 continues into Avengers #125, which is not collected here.
#25-34: Captain Marvel by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection
Also collects Iron Man #55, Marvel Feature (1972) #12, Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) 1, and material from Daredevil #105 and Life of Captain Marvel (1985) #1-5
#1 & 34: The Death of Captain Marvel (2018 paperback)
This new volume confusingly collects a totally different set of issues than the old one of the same title! It includes Marvel Super-heroes (1967) #12-13; Captain Marvel (1968) #1 & 34; Marvel Spotlight (1979) #1-2; and Marvel Graphic Novel #1: The Death Of Captain Marvel
#52: Captain Marvel: Starforce
Collects Fantastic Four (1961) #65, Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) #12, Ms. Marvel (1977) #1, Captain Marvel (1968) #52, Quasar #9, Avengers (1963) #346, Captain America (1998) #8, and material from Captain America (1968) #399
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…
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) #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…
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
Then, after all of her appearances in Captain Marvel, she appears 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
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 #171-172: See Avengers #105-226
Ms. Marvel #19:In Masterworks & Essential, above. Also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
The Avengers #175-177: See Avengers #105-226
Ms. Marvel #20-22:In Masterworks & Essential, above
Avengers 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 #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 #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 #186-200: See Avengers #105-226. Ms. Marvel skips #189 and Annual 9. Issues #197-200 are in Masterworks, above.
Avengers 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 Annual 10: Captain Marvel vs. Rogue (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302926519)
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
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.
Monica Rambeau in The Avengers and Captain Marvel Vol. 2 & 3 (1982 – 1994)
Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau
Collects the beginning of Monica Rambeau’s adventures from (in this order) Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 16; Avengers (1963) #227; Marvel Team-up (1972) #142-14; Avengers (1963) #279; material from Solo Avengers #2; Marvel Fanfare (1982) #42 (2nd story); Captain Marvel (1989) #1; Marvel Fanfare (1982) #57 (2nd story); Captain Marvel (1994) #1; and material from Avengers Unplugged #5
Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 16: In Monica Rambeau, above. See Spider-Man. Monica Rambeau’s debut.
Avengers (1963) #227-242 & Annual 12 and Marvel Fanfare #24 (2nd story): See The Avengers
Rambeau formally joins the team in #231. Annual 12 follows #232. Marvel Fanfare #24 follows #237.
After #227: Hulk Smash Avengers (2012) #3, Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 (1968) #281-284
After #232 & Annual 12: Thor (1966) #332
During #233: Fantastic Four (1961) #256
After #234: Doctor Strange (1974) #60, tentatively a flashback in Iron Age (2011) #1, Thor (1966) #334
After #238 and during #242: Captain America (1968) #292 (cameo)
Secret Wars: See Marvel Universe Events. Rambeau appears in every issue.
Avengers (1963) #243-245 & Annual 13: See The Avengers
Annual 13 follows #245.
During #243: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #252, Iron Man #182, flashback series Code Of Honor (1997) #3, 1985 (2008) #6, Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 (1968) #300
Marvel Team-Up (1972) #142-143: In Monica Rambeau, above. See Spider-Man.
Avengers (1963) #246-260 & Annual 14: See The Avengers
She does not appear in #254. Annual 14 follows #260 and crosses over with Fantastic Four Annual 19.
During #249: Thor #350
After #249: Thor (1966) #351 (implied) and 352-353, Captain America (1968) #301
During #255: Rom, Spaceknight (1979) #65-66
During Annual 14: Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 19
Avengers (1963) #261-285 & Annual 15-16: See The Avengers.
Annual 15 follows #272. She does not appear in #280. Annual 16 occurs just before the final panels of #285.
After #261: Secret Wars II (1985) #5
After #263 Fantastic Four (1961) #286 (implied), Captain America (1968) #314
After #264: Secret Wars II (1985) #8
After #265: Secret Wars II (1985) #9
After #266: flashback series Marvels: Eye Of The Camera (2009) #4, New Mutants (1983) #40
During #270: Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 (1968) #320-322, flashback series Marvels: Eye Of The Camera (2009) #5, Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 (1968) #323, Power-Man & Iron Fist (1978) #125
During Avengers #272: Alpha Flight (1983) #39
After Annual 15: West Coast Avengers (1984) Annual 1
At the end of #285: Mephisto Vs. … (1987) #4 and Thor (1966) #381 (cameo)
X-Men Vs. Avengers (1987) #1-4: See The Avengers
Still falls before the end of #285.
After XvA #4: Marvels: flashback series Eye Of The Camera (2009) #5, Captain America (1968) #329, West Coast Avengers (1984) Annual 2
After Annual 16 (still before the end of #285): Captain America (1968) #332
Avengers (1963) #286-294 & 305: See The Avengers
After #287: Solo Avengers (1987) #2 (2nd story)
After #290: Thor (1966) #390, West Coast Avengers Vol. 2 (1985) #31, Alpha Flight (1983) #61
Marvel Fanfare (1982) #42 (2nd story): In Monica Rambeau, above.
After #305, She-Hulk: Ceremony (1989) #1
Captain Marvel, Vol. 2 #1 : Women of Marvel Omnibus and Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau
A one-shot featuring the second Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau.
Then: Avengers (1963) Annual 18, Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 22, Avengers Spotlight (1989) #27 (2nd story), Avengers (1963) Annual 19 (3rd story), Avengers (1963) Annual 19, Quasar (1989) #17
Avengers (1963) #329-330: See The Avengers
Marvel Fanfare (1982) #57 (2nd story): In Monica Rambeau, above.
Avengers (1963) #331-333 & 345: See The Avengers
Galactic Storm: See The Avengers. Rambeau appears in Thor (1966) #445, Quasar (1989) #33, Wonder Man Vol. 2 (1991) #8, Thor (1966) #446, Avengers West Coast (1989) #82, Wonder Man Vol. 2 (1991) #9, Avengers (1963) #347, Captain America (1968) #401
Then: Captain America (1968) #408 (3rd story), Quasar (1989) #41-42
Captain Marvel #1 AKA Vol. 2 #1 AKA Free Your Mind: Women of Marvel Omnibus and Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau
Another one-shot featuring the second Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau. Just to keep you on your toes, the cover carries the number #1, but inside this is labeled as Captain Marvel, Vol. 2,, #2 – which throws off EVERYTHING about future volume numbers!
Starblast: Not collected. Rambeau appears in Starblast (1994) #1, Quasar (1989) #54, Starblast (1994) #2, Quasar (1989) #55, Starblast (1994) #3, Quasar (1989) #56, Starblast (1994) #4, Quasar (1989) #57, Captain Marvel (1995) #2 (flashback)
After Starblast, Monica Rambeau changes her title to Photon – she is no longer tracked by this guide.
Captain Marvel, Vol. 3, 4, & 5 (1995, 2000 – 2002, & 2002 – 2004)
This Captain Marvel debuted as Legacy in Collects Silver Surfer (1987) Annual 6 & #90 (plus the final page of #89), Secret Defenders (1993) #14, Cosmic Powers (1994) #4 (and pages from #5-6), Silver Surfer Annual 7 (2nd story), and Silver Surfer (1987) #105-110,.
#1-6: Not collected. A six-issue mini-series featuring the third Captain Marvel, Genis Vell, also known as Legacy. After just a handful of other appearances, his story continues to Avengers Forever.
After his mini-series, Captain Marvel appears in Avengers Unplugged #5, Silver Surfer #122, and Warlock (1998) #1-4 (1998) before continuing to his own series in 1999, written almost entirely by Peter David.
#0-6: Captain Marvel: First Contact
#4-6 & 15-16: Guardians of the Galaxy: Road to Annihilation, Vol. 1
Collects Warlock (1998) #1-4; Captain Marvel (2000) #4-6 & 15-16; Infinity Abyss #1-6; She-Hulk (2004) #7-8.
#7-35: Not collected, except 15-16, directly above.
The 2002 series continues the story of the third Captain Marvel, written entirely by Peter David. After this series, the character appears sporadically in New Thunderbolts as Photon through issue #100.
#1-6: Vol. 1: Nothing to Lose
#7-12: Vol. 2: Coven
#13-18: Vol. 3: Crazy Like a Fox
#19-25: Vol. 4: Odyssey
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 The Avengers (1996-2005)
War Machine, Vol. 3 #1-5 (in flashback)
Avengers #501-503 & Finale: See The 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 Young Avengers
I need to check on appearances in: Annual 1998: X-Men/Dr. Doom ’98 (1998) Annual, The Thing (2006) #1
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 2 & The Mighty 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.
From this point forward I won’t document every Ms. Marvel appearance any further, as she becomes one of the most prominent Avengers and appears in half a dozen books a month – or more! However, when she appears in the majority of the issues in the collection of another title, I will continue to note that here.
As recollected starting in 2018…
#1-17: Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers – The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 1
Also collects Giant-Size Ms. Marvel #1 and Ms. Marvel Special #1
#18-34 & Annual 1: Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers – The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 2
#35-50: Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers – The Ms. Marvel Years Vol. 3
Also collects Ms. Marvel Special: Storyteller and Siege: Spider-Man
As originally released…
House of M: See Marvel Events: House of M. Specifically, Ms. Marvel appears in the main series and in New Thunderbolts #11. See Marvel Events: House of M.
Ms. Marvel #1-5 & Giant-Size Ms. Marvel: Vol. 1: Best of the Best
You can read New Avengers #15 as a prologue to this collection. Also available in hardcover.
The Pulse #11-13 in Vol. 3: Fear
New Thunderbolts #13-14 in Vol. 3: Right of Power
This is a brief appearance.
New Avengers: #17-20 & Annual 1: See New Avengers
Iron Man #10-12: See Iron Man
Civil War: Ms. Marvel is a key player in Civil War and appears regularly in the main event series and many tie-ins. See Marvel Events: Civil War.
Ms. Marvel #6-10: Vol. 2: Civil War
Includes Ms. Marvel Special. Also available in hardcover. Reprinted in 2016. #9-10 also in Captain Marvel vs. Rogue (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302926519)
Ms. Marvel #11-17: Vol. 3: Operation Lightning Storm
Also available in hardcover.
Mighty Avengers #1-6: See Mighty Avengers
#1 occurs during Ms. Marvel #13.
Avengers/Invaders #1-12: See Mighty Avengers
Mighty Avengers #7-11: See Mighty Avengers
These issues occur between Ms. Marvel #14-15, as do her appearances in New Avengers #28-30 & 34-36.
New Warriors #1-6: Vol. 1: Reality Check
Ms. Marvel appears in all six issues, as well as #7 in the next collection, Thrashed.
World War Hulk: Ms. Marvel is glancingly involved in this event. See Marvel Events: World War Hulk.
Ms. Marvel Annual 1 fits here, though it was published much later!
Ms. Marvel #18-24: Vol. 4: Monster Smash
Also available in hardcover.
Captain Marvel, Vol. 7 #1-5: See Marvel Events: Secret Invasion. Also collects Civil War: The Return
Ms. Marvel #25-30: Vol. 5: Secret Invasion
Also available in hardcover. Issues #25-27 also collected in the Secret Invasion: Rise Of The Skrulls (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912468)
Secret Invasion: Ms. Marvel participates in this event. See Marvel Events: Secret Invasion
Mighty Avengers #12-20: See Mighty Avengers
New Avengers #48-50: See New Avengers.
Further confusing matters, Carol has now also rejoined the cast of this comic!
Ms. Marvel #31-34: Vol. 6: Ascension
Includes Ms. Marvel Annual 1 & Special: Storyteller. Also available in hardcover. #32-32 also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Ms. Marvel #35-41: Vol. 7: Dark Reign
Also available in hardcover.
New Avengers #51-54: See New Avengers
Ms. Marvel #42-46: Vol. 8: War of Marvels
Also available in hardcover.
New Avengers #55-60: See New Avengers
Ms. Marvel #47-50: Vol. 9: Best You Can Be TPB
Also available in hardcover.
Siege: Ms. Marvel plays a featured role both in the main mini-series and in New Avengers. See Marvel Events: Siege.
From this point, Ms. Marvel continues to be an ongoing supporting character in both Avengers and New Avengers.
Spider-Island: Ms. Marvel is a guest-star in this event. See Marvel Events: Spider-Island.
Fear Itself: Ms. Marvel is a background character in this event. See Marvel Events: Fear Itself.
Avengers Assemble #1-8: Ms. Marvel is a background character in this story. Available in oversize hardcover and TPB.
Avengers vs. X-Men: Ms. Marvel is a background character in this event. See Marvel Events: Avengers vs. X-Men.
Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel (2012 – present)
The period leading up to Marvel Now in 2016 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!
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 – toos up the mantle of Ms. Marvel as a dedicated fan of Carol’s!
Marvel Now (2012 – 2016):Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, Vol. 6 (2012) & Vol. 7 (2014)
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.
as recollected in “Earth’s Mightiest Hero,” which are effectively Complete Collections…
Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 1
Collects Captain Marvel (2012) #1-12, but misses out in pulling in tie-in appearances in team-up books like Avenging Spider-Man and A+X
Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 2
Collects Captain Marvel (2012) #13-17 and crossovers into Avengers: The Enemy Within one-shot and Avengers Assemble #16-17. Issues #15-16 were previously only available in the Infinity Companion hardcover, below.
Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Vol. 3
Captain Marvel (2014) #1-11It’s curious this would omit #12-15, which could easily fit – it seems to signify either an error or that we’ll get a Volume 4 including the Secret Wars series.
Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Vol. 4
Collects Captain Marvel (2014) #12-15 and Captain Marvel and The Carol Corps (2015) #1-4
as originally collected…
(2012) #1-6: Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight
This represents Carol’s first adventure in the new Captain Marvel title and costume. #1 is also in The Many Lives of Carol Danvers.
Avenging Spider-Man #9-10 in Vol. 2:The Good, The Green, and The Ugly
This team-up story was one of the first chronological appearances of Carol as Captain Marvel.
A+X #6 in Vol. 1: Awesome
Captain Marvel spends half an issue teaming up with Wolverine.
Age of Ultron: Carol makes only a brief appearance in this event, although she appears in the Avengers Assemble AU #14-15 tie-ins. See Marvel Events: Age of Ultron.
Avengers #1-5: See The Avengers. Carol is a participant in this story, though she doesn’t have many lines
Red She-Hulk #58-62: Vol. 1: Hell Hath No Fury
Captain Marvel is a recurring guest-star in this run.
Avengers #6-11: See The Avengers. Carol continues to participate, and is the focus of issue #11.
Avengers: Endless Wartime
An original graphic novel by Warren Ellis that features Captain Marvel as a core cast member and, honestly, the most competent Avenger in the book.
Avengers Assemble #9-13 & Annual 1: Vol. 2: Science Bros
Carol is a featured star in this arc.
(2012) #6-12: Vol. 2: Down
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 Captain 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
Captain Marvel is the star of this crossover, which also includes an Enemy Within one-shot and Avengers Assemble #16-17 & Annual 1.
Avengers #12-17: See The Avengers. Carol plays a supporting role in the second story in this run.
(2012) #15-16: Collected in the Infinity Companion – See Marvel Universe Events: Infinity. Also available in Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Vol. 2, above.
Infinity: Captain Marvel has a prominent role in this Fall 2013 Marvel Event. See Marvel Universe Events: Infinity.
Avengers Assemble #21-25: The Forgeries of Jealousy
Carol is a background player in this highly enjoyable girl-power romp.
(2014) #1-6: Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More
Marvel is launching a new Captain Marvel series for Carol in 2014.
Guardians of the Galaxy #14-16 & Annual 1: See Guardians of the Galaxy. Carol joins the Guardians!
(2014) #7-11: Vol. 2: Stay Fly
(2014) #12-15: Vol. 3: Alis Volat Propriis
Secret Wars: Warzones: Captain Marvel & the Carol Corps (2015)
Also reprints Captain Marvel (2012) #17.
Secret Wars: Warzones: A-Force
Carol is not a starring character in this out-of-continuity story, though she does appear.
All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy (2015 – 2018):
Captain Marvel (2016), Ultimates, A-Force, Civil War, & The Mighty Captain Marvel
See Mighty Avengers for Captain Marvel’s role in Ultimates.
as recollected in “Earth’s Mightiest Hero,” which are effectively Complete Collections…
Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 5
Collects Captain Marvel (2016) #1-10.
as originally collected…
#1-5: Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight
A-Force #1-4: Vol. 1: Hypertime
Civil War II: See Marvel Universe Events. Carol is the lead character in this event.
#6-10: Vol. 2: Civil War II (ISBN 978-0-7851-9643-3)
A-Force #5-10: Vol. 2: Civil War II or The Dying Light (ISBN 978-0-7851-9606-8)
The Mighty Captain Marvel (2016) #0-5: Vol. 1: Alien Nation
#6-9: Vol. 2: Band of Sisters
#125-130: Vol. 3: Dark Origins
Captain Marvel continues from #130 directly to Infinity Countdown: Captain Marvel one-shot as part of Infinity Countdown and Infinity Wars – see Marvel Universe Events.
Captain Marvel in Fresh Start (2018 – present)
Captain Marvel 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 in The Life of Captain Marvel, a series that seriously alters Captain Marvel’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! Then, Kelly Thompson kicks off a new ongoing for Carol at the beginning of 2019.
The Life of Captain Marvel (2018) #1-5: The Life of Captain Marvel
Reprinted in a Marvel Select Edition hardcover in 2020.
Avengers Assemble: Living Legends (2019 paperback)
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.
#1-5: Vol. 1: Re-Entry
#4-5: Captain Marvel vs. Rogue (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302926519)
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
Marvel Action: Captain Marvel (2019) #1-3: Book One: Cosmic CAT-tastrophe (digest-sized)
An intensely-charming and continuity-lite Carol (+Jess!) adventure that perfectly captures Carol’s voice and spirit.
#6-11: Vol. 2: Falling Star
#12-16: Vol. 3: The Last Avenger
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!
Marvel Action: Captain Marvel (2019) #4-6: Book Two: A.I.M. Small (digest-sized)
#17-21: Vol. 4
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
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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……