Have you ever picked up a comic book purely because it looked interesting? Then, you get home and realize you are in the middle of a series? Or worse, reading the last of the series? I made this mistake recently with a variant of Captain Marvel. For a beginner just starting to read them, it can be tough to navigate where to begin. Captain Marvel is a superhero known as “Earth’s Mightiest Hero” who made her first appearance in Marvel comics in 1977, and there is a lot of buzz surrounding the character right now. The 2019 film stars Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, and it quickly became one of my favorite superhero movies of all time. It launched me into wanting to do more research on the character. I picked up a comic book at my local book store, and it turned out I started at the end of the series.
Here is a quick guide on how to go through the newest Captain Marvel series in the proper order:
1. Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 1 by Kelly Sue DeConnick (text), Chris Sebela (text), Dexter Soy (Illustrator), Emma Ríos (Illustrator), Felipe Amdrade (Illustrator)
Published: June 08, 2016
Carol Danvers has a new codename and is determined to prove herself the best of the best! She’s forging a new future for herself as Captain Marvel, but finds that she still can’t walk away from a challenge from her past! It’s a firefight in the sky as the Banshee Squadron debut – but who are the Prowlers, and where has Carol seen them before? Witness her in blazing battlefield action that just may change the course of history! Then, the Avengers’ new Captain Marvel meets their old one – Monica Rambeau! But what’s Monica’s problem? Can they resolve it before a threat from the ocean depths attacks?* To buy this volume, go here.
If you want to collect the individual comics, then you would need to find Captain Marvel (2012) issues 1-12 at a comic book shop.
2. Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 2 by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Text by), Jen Van Meter (Text by), Scott Hepburn (Illustrator), Gerardo Sandoval (Illustrator), Pat Olliffe (Illustrator)
Captain Marvel and the Avengers face the enemy within! When vicious echoes from the past of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes crop up all over Manhattan, Carol Danvers refuses to be grounded by her recent and mysterious loss of power. But who is the sinister figure behind the madness, and what does it have to do with Carol’s calamitous condition? And the most disturbing question of all…is this villain even real? Things get worse as the events of Infinity unfold. Carol goes cosmic – Binary cosmic – in an epic that rocks worlds, not least hers! But when she comes back to Earth with a bump, will her biggest fan be the key to rebuilding her life? You just can’t keep a good Captain down!* To buy this volume, go here.
If you want the individual comics, then you would need to find Captain Marvel (2012) #13-17, Avengers: The Enemy Within #1, Avengers Assemble #16-19, Avenging Spider-Man #9-10 at your local comic shop.
3. Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 3 by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Text by), David Lopez (Illustrator), Marcio Takara (Illustrator), Laura Braga (Illustrator)
Higher, further, faster, more! That’s the daring new attitude of Earth’s Mightiest Hero, Captain Marvel! As Carol Danvers comes to a crossroads in her life, she makes a dramatic decision that will alter the course of everything. But as Carol heads into outer space, she lands in the middle of a galactic uprising! And when a bad guy she has history with tries to blackmail her – and turn the Avengers against her – it’s payback time! Taking her cat, Chewie, with her seemed like a good idea at the time, but there’s more to that pet than meets the eye…unless you’re Rocket Raccoon, Carol’s new ally in the Guardians of the Galaxy! Captain Marvel’s mighty adventures continue, as she shows how to win friends and influence people of all species!* To purchase this volume, go here.
If you want the individual issues, then you would need to find CAPTAIN MARVEL (2014) #1-11.
4. Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 4 by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Text by), Warren Ellis (Text by), Kelly Thompson (Text by), David Lopez (Illustrator), Laura Braga (Illustrator)
Stellar combat and Secret Wars! Captain Marvel’s time as an astronomical Avenger has pitted her against some of the worst the galaxy has to offer, not least the Haffensye Consortium! They’ve been tracking Carol and Tic for weeks – and now they’ve finally caught up! Carol Danvers barely survived the last time she squared off against the Haffensye – is there any chance that she could be so lucky again? Then, when the Multiverse ends, there is only Battleworld. And in the domain of Hala Field, the elite Carol Corps are the best of the best, who will take down anyone and everyone who threatens their Captain! Riding with them takes guts, guile and a whole lot of grit – so get ready to aim high, fly, fight and win!* To purchase this volume, go here.
For the individual issues, you would need CAPTAIN MARVEL (2014) #12-15, CAPTAIN MARVEL & THE CAROL CORPS #1-4.
5. Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero Vol. 5 by Michele Fazekas (Text by), Tara Butters (Text by), Ruth Fletcher Gage (Text by), Christos Gage (Text by), Kris Anka (Illustrator)
It’s a bold new frontier for Carol Danvers, soaring to ever greater heights as the leader of the all-new Alpha Flight space program! Yup, Alpha Flight — including classic favorites Puck, Sasquatch and Aurora! As Earth’s first line of defense, Carol and her team aim to protect the planet from extraterrestrial threats. But can Carol be both a soldier and a diplomat? Don’t ask Tony Stark! These two old friends are about to face off as bitter enemies in an event that will change Captain Marvel’s life forever! As Inhuman visions of the future kick off a second superhuman civil war, Captain Marvel is at the forefront of the conflict — with Iron Man now her implacable enemy. But when tragedy hits close to home, how far will Carol go to protect what she believes in?* To buy this volume, go here.
For the individual issues, you would look for Captain Marvel (2016) #1-10.
6. The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Alien Nation by Margaret Stohl (Text by), Ramon Rosanas (Illustrator)
The Greatest. That’s what they call her. Carol Danvers has been to the depths of outer space and back, but that still hasn’t prepared her for her newfound status of biggest super hero ever. Yaas, Queen! Danvers may not like the crown she’s wearing, but boy does it look good on her. Just watch out for the thorns it comes with—forces trying to take down everything Carol has built. Carol Danvers makes her triumphant return as the Mighty Captain Marvel! Written by celebrity writer Margaret Stohl (Beautiful Creatures, Black Widow: Forever Red) and drawn by the artfully talented Ramon Rosanas (Ant-Man), this bold new take on Earth’s mightiest and favorite hero!* To buy this volume, go here.
This particular volume, to the best of my knowledge, does not have individual issues available.
7. The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 2: Band of Sisters by Margaret Stohl (Text by), Michele Bandini (Illustrator)
8. The Mighty Captain Marvel Vol. 3: Dark Origins by Margaret Stohl (Text by), Michele Bandini (Illustrator)
As Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers has traveled to almost every inch of the planet — and beyond! Now she’s heading somewhere uncharted! Join Carol on her new cosmic journey through a realm where up is down…and good is evil! As Carol chases down the the truth about her Kree friend Bean, she’ll come face to face with the darkest being in this or any galaxy. You’d think a familiar face would be comforting, but this Peter Quill doesn’t seem to be in a friendly mood. It’s Carol vs. Peter, and the prize is — the Reality Stone! But will the unmatched power of this unearthed artifact be enough to pull Carol back to reality, or is this merely the first step in a much larger quest?* To purchase, go here.
If you want the individual issues, then you need Captain Marvel (2017) #125-129.
9. The Life of Captain Marvel by Margaret Stohl (Text by), Carlos Pacheco (Illustrator)
She’s one of the mightiest heroes not just on Earth but in the entire galaxy! Now learn exactly how Carol Danvers became the woman she is — the Avenger she is — in the definitive origin of Captain Marvel! When sudden, crippling anxiety attacks sideline Carol in the middle of a fight, she finds herself reliving memories of a life she thought was far behind her. You can’t outrun where you’re from — and sometimes, you have to go home again. But while Carol takes a temporary leave from duty to unravel her past, trouble comes looking for her. A weapon has been unleashed, and Carol’s sleepy coastal town is about to become the center of its world. But there are skeletons in Captain Marvel’s closet — and what she discovers will change her entire life!* Find it here to purchase.
For the individual issues, you need The Life Of Captain Marvel #1-5.
*copied from Marvel comics website.
This guide was actually on the inside cover of The Life of Captain Marvel, which is the book I ended up purchasing. Notice this is the final installment of the series. Oops! As someone who is new to reading comic books, figuring out which books to start with is tricky. Individual comics are often put together into one volume which is called a “trade.” Here is an incredible website that walks you through how to start reading comics!
If you are not sure where there is a comic book shop in your area, then click here to find one using a comic shop locator.