Best Captain Marvel Comics (Updated: September 2025)

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Most people now know Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel, especially because of her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before that, she was known as Ms. Marvel for many years. She didn’t become Captain Marvel until 2012, but since then, the character has become incredibly popular, and some of the greatest Captain Marvel comics have been released recently. We’ve also included her very first appearance as Ms. Marvel to show how the character has evolved.

Best Captain Marvel comics as of 2025

When picking the best Captain Marvel comics, focus on stories that really highlight what makes Carol Danvers special – like her strong will, leadership skills, and experience as a pilot. Great issues also have compelling writing and artwork, and often delve into who Carol is as a person, not just her superpowers. These are the stories that truly capture what makes her unique and are genuinely enjoyable to read.

The Life of Captain Marvel (2018)

Captain Marvel’s story centers on Carol Danvers as she struggles with a personal crisis and confronts her past. During a fight, Carol begins experiencing debilitating anxiety attacks that trigger memories from a life she believed she’d left behind, forcing her to step down temporarily from her roles with the Avengers and Alpha Flight. The series reveals Carol’s origins as a regular, science-minded kid growing up near Boston, who gained incredible powers after meeting a Kree warrior. As she investigates her family’s history, Carol uncovers hidden secrets that change her understanding of who she is and the source of her abilities. The series is written by Margaret Stohl and illustrated by Carlos Pacheco.

This five-part comic series dives into Carol’s struggles with anxiety and past family issues, while also reimagining the origins of her powers. The author revisits Carol’s beginnings by revealing secrets about her mother and strengthening her connection to her Kree ancestry. This new take simplified some of the more complicated parts of her earlier stories. While some fans enjoyed the series’ focus on Carol’s emotional depth and character development, others weren’t happy with the changes to established storylines or felt it missed the mark for what makes the character special. Overall, it’s a visually appealing and heartfelt story, and a good choice if you’re curious about Carol’s background.

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Down (Captain Marvel #7-12)

When Monica Rambeau teams up with Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers), they uncover a hidden danger deep beneath the ocean’s surface. Together, they fight this underwater threat, combining their powers in a new way. But the mission changes Carol, and she begins to lose her abilities, risking her power of flight. As she struggles with this, a familiar villain returns with a new twist. Captain America offers assistance, providing Carol with a unique vehicle to help her continue her work. Despite these difficulties, Earth’s greatest hero must adapt and find new ways to defend the world while facing her own changing circumstances. The story is written by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Christopher Sebela, with art by Dexter Soy and Filipe Andrade.

The ‘Down’ storyline significantly reduces Carol’s powers, making her much more vulnerable. This shift allows the story to explore Carol’s personality and inner self, rather than just her abilities, and asks what truly defines a person when their powers and memories are gone. With Carol weakened, other characters have a chance to shine and become more involved in the plot. While some readers found the arc slow or wished Carol had a bigger role, it’s a good choice for those interested in seeing a more human and relatable side of the character.

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In Pursuit of Flight (2012)

Carol Danvers is now Captain Marvel, embracing a new purpose. However, she soon realizes her biggest challenge might be her own internal struggles. As she tries to control her future, unresolved issues from her past resurface. The arrival of the Banshee Squadron adds to the drama, but it’s the enigmatic Prowlers who truly demand answers from Carol. The consequences of these events could not only change her life, but also alter history itself.

This comic series marked a turning point for Carol Danvers, officially changing her identity from Ms. Marvel to Captain Marvel and solidifying her status as a leading superhero. Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick gave Carol a strong, assured voice that readers had been wanting. DeConnick developed Carol as a skilled pilot who becomes a superhero, giving her a unique and compelling personality – she’s strong-willed, determined, and openly ambitious. The series is perfect for new readers while also honoring established storylines, making it easy to get into. The artwork is energetic and contemporary, visually portraying Carol’s power and confidence. Her new costume design quickly became famous and inspired other designs. This series dramatically increased Carol’s popularity and played a key role in shaping her character as seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

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When Walks the Mandroid (Captain Marvel #18)

During a battle at an old Kree outpost, Captain Marvel faces off against Yon-Rogg and a Mandroid while trying to rescue Carol Danvers. Meanwhile, Rick Jones is dealing with his link to Captain Marvel. Yon-Rogg’s attack knocks Carol unconscious near a damaged Kree machine. Although Captain Marvel saves her, the broken device alters Carol’s DNA, ultimately giving her the abilities she’d later use as Ms. Marvel. The story was written by Roy Thomas, with art by John Buscema and Gil Kane.

The comic book ‘When Walks the Mandroid’ is important because it tells the story of how Carol Danvers first gained her superpowers. It shows the key moment when she’s exposed to Kree technology, which changes her DNA and eventually gives her the abilities she uses as Ms. Marvel. This issue marks the beginning of one of Marvel’s most iconic female heroes, and everything that happens in later Carol Danvers stories is built on the events within its pages. It’s a foundational Captain Marvel comic because it establishes the source of her powers and launches decades of character growth.

The New World (Captain Marvel #22-27)

Captain Marvel finds herself stranded far in the future, cut off from her friends and facing a formidable enemy who has been steadily gaining power. As she and her new team uncover the secrets behind the villain, Ove, and his stronghold, they realize they’re hopelessly outgunned. The reason Carol is in this future is a shocking surprise. She must now battle a dangerous ruler to save this future world, but victory could mean being trapped there forever. The series is written by Kelly Thompson with art by Lee Garbett.

Captain Marvel is launching into a fresh storyline! Writer Kelly Thompson has proven she truly understands Carol Danvers, capturing her personality and what drives her. This new arc, ‘The New World,’ is some of her best work yet, blending compelling character growth with an imaginative science fiction setting. The story challenges Captain Marvel in ways that her incredible powers alone can’t fix, forcing her to evolve. ‘The New World’ is a great place to jump in and discover what makes Carol Danvers such a captivating character and hero.

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How we chose the best Captain Marvel comics

When picking the best Captain Marvel comics, I focused on stories that showcase key moments in Carol Danvers’ life and really highlight who she is as a character. I especially looked for comics that demonstrate her strength, leadership, and how she develops as a hero. I particularly enjoy stories that delve into her identity, not just her superpowers. Also, Kelly Sue DeConnick’s work on the comic had a big impact on the Captain Marvel movie, making it culturally significant. What are your favorite Captain Marvel comics?

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2025-09-26 06:48