Carol Danvers

Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the US Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (1968) and as Ms. Marvel — a fusion of alien Kree and human genes — in Ms. Marvel #1 (Jan. 1977).

Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books, the character featured in a self-titled series in the late 1970s before becoming associated with superhero teams the Avengers and X-Men. The character has also been known as Binary and Warbird at various points in her history, and has featured in other Marvel-endorsed products including video games; animated television series and merchandise such as trading cards. In 2000s, the increased use of her as a character eventually prompted some commentators to note that "she's now the House of Ideas' premier heroine."

The character debuts in the title Marvel Super-Heroes as an officer in the United States Air Force and Security Chief of a restricted military base, where Danvers meets "Dr. Walter Lawson," the human alias of alien Kree hero Captain Marvel.

Caught in the explosion of a Kree device, the character gains superhuman abilities and becomes the hero Ms. Marvel. In January 1977, she is featured in a self-titled series at first written by Gerry Conway and later by Chris Claremont. Ms. Marvel guest-starred alongside the maverick superhero team the Defenders before assisting the Avengers against the robot villain Ultron. The character then had a series of semi-regular appearances in The Avengers, with additional appearances with the Defenders, Spider-Man, the Thing, and Iron Man. During this period, she became the first superhero to encounter the mutant terrorist Mystique, who kills Ms. Marvel's lover Michael Barnett.