Meet The Marvels!: All The Major Marvel Comics Heroes Who Have Used A 'Marvel' Codename

Fans were delighted recently when Marvel Studios dropped a surprise sizzle reel, both celebrating their past successes, and revealing new release dates and titles for their upcoming films.

One of the biggest reveals was that of a new title for the Captain Marvel sequel. Now titled The Marvels, the film, currently scheduled for release on November 11, 2022, will follow Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan on a cosmic adventure.

The new title is probably in reference to the fact that in the comics, all three characters use the word 'Marvel' in their hero codenames, or in the case of Monica, have done so in the past. However, they aren't the only ones.

Here are all the major Marvel heroes to have used a 'Marvel' codename.

Jean Grey/Marvel Girl

During the early days of the X-Men, Jean Grey often used the codename Marvel Girl on missions. She continued to use it on and off in later years, but as more time went on, she stepped away from the Marvel Girl persona, using her civilian name or Phoenix instead.

Later, Jean's time-travelling daughter Rachel Summers briefly takes up the codename Marvel Girl.

Mar-Vell/Captain Marvel

Mar-Vell, a warrior of the Kree Empire, is sent to Earth as a spy to determine whether Earth is a threat to the Kree Empire, with plans to potentially send an invasion force based on Mar-Vell's information. However, Mar-Vell comes to enjoy life on Earth, and develops a fondness for humanity. After a human mispronounces his name, Mar-Vell takes up the alias of Captain Marvel as a protector of Earth. This leads him to be branded a traitor by the Kree Empire and sentenced to death, but manages to escape, eventually seeking asylum on Earth. Captain Marvel fights alongside the Avengers in many significant battles, including a few against Thanos.

Sadly, Mar-Vell eventually discovers that exposure to a deadly nerve gas during a past adventure has caused him to develop Cancer, and thanks to his powerful nega-bands and Kree physiology, no treatment on Earth is affective. Many of Mar-Vell's friends and allies visit to spend time with him before he passes away. While he has been resurrected a few times, it has only ever been briefly. For the most part, unlike other comic book heroes, Mar-Vell's death has remained permanent.

Carol Danvers/ Ms. Marvel/ Captain Marvel

Carol Danvers made her first comic book appearance in 1968, as a member of the Air Force and Security Chief of a military base, where she first meets the original Captain Marvel. During one mission, while following Captain Marvel, Carol is caught up in the explosion of a Kree device. After recovering from her injuries, it is revealed that the explosion has granted Carol superhuman strength, speed, and stamina, transforming her into a Human-Kree hybrid. With her new abilities, Carol begins a superhero career under the alias of Ms. Marvel. The use of 'Ms' rather than 'Miss', coubled with Carol campaigning for equal pay in her civilian storyline, led many to embrace the character as a feminist icon. Later, she also gains the ability to absorb and project energy.

Carol Danvers first appears as Captain Marvel in the 2005 comic story 'House Of M'. In an alternate reality where the Scarlet Witch has granted everyone their deepest desires, Carol is no longer Ms. Marvel, but Captain Marvel. 'The World's Greatest Superhero'.

While the events of 'House Of M' boost Carol's confidence, leading her to take more responsibility among the Avengers, it was not until 2012 that she officially took up the Captain Marvel mantle in the main Marvel universe. Carol makes the decision following a story in which she explores Mar-Vell's legacy and what it means to her. She has carried the mantle ever since, fully cementing herself as a permanent major player in the Marvel Universe.

Carol, as Captain Marvel, will be one of the three Marvels in the upcoming MCU film The Marvels, played by Brie Larson.

Monica Rambeau/Captain Marvel

When Monica Rambeau first appears in the comics, she is a Lieutenant in the New Orleans Harbor Patrol, and often served as a Cargo ship Captain. While trying to prevent the creation of a dangerous weapon, Monica was exposed to extra-dimensional energy, which granted her the ability to convert her body into energy. Following this accident, the media dubs her 'Captain Marvel', and after learning to control her new powers, Monica decides to fight crime under this name, with the blessing of the Fantastic Four and other heroes who had known Mar-Vell. She soon joins the Avengers as their first female African-American member.

Monica eventually faces competition for her 'Captain Marvel' title, first from Mar-Vell's son, Genis-Vell, and later Carol Danvers. Ultimately, both Genis and Monica cede the mantle to Carol, she being the only one who had actually known Mar-Vell. Monica has since used a number of different codenames, the latest being Spectrum.

In The Marvels, Monica Rambeau will be played by Teyonah Paris, reprising the role from WandaVision.

Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel

Kamala Khan, an American Muslim teenager from Jersey City, took over as the lead character of the Ms. Marvel comic book in 2014, quickly gaining acclaim as the first Muslim hero in the Marvel universe. Kamala is an Inhuman, and after exposure to the Terrigen Mists activated her Inhuman genes, she develops an ability she dubs 'embiggening'. Kamala's body has massively enhanced elasticity, allowing her to increase her size, stretch her limbs, and even shapeshift. Having come to idolise Carol Danvers after witnessing her in action as Captain Marvel, Kamala takes up the mantle of Ms. Marvel in honour of her hero. Carol soon becomes a willing mentor to Kamala, helping her secure a spot on the Avengers roster.

Unfortunately, Carol and Kamala have a minor falling out during the 'Civil War II' event, when Carol tries to arrest Kamala's friend, the second Spider-Man Miles Morales, based on the increasingly questionable visions of a precognitive Inhuman, Ulysses. Losing faith in the Avengers, Kamala and a group of other young heroes, including Miles, Nova, Viv Vision, and Amadeus Cho, leave the Avengers and form their own team, known as the Champions. Kamala is eventually appointed leader of the team.

Kamala Khan, played by newcomer Iman Vellani, will appear in her own Disney Plus series, Ms. Marvel, in the latter half of 2021, before making her big screen debut in The Marvels next year.

We can't wait to see how these characters play into the future of the MCU!