Monica Rambeau/Photon has had a discreet participation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From her appearance in Carol Danvers’ (played by Akira Akbar) origin story to her role in Scarlet Witch and Vision (Teyonah Parris), there’s not much to say. Just in the series that tells what happened in the Westview anomaly, the way in which he survived his mother María and how he obtained his powers is told.. But there are few clues as to who he really is, once that happened. Much less, what happened after the post-credits scene of the final chapter of the production, which showed her in contact with the race Skrull.
Of course, the most likely thing is that Nia DaCosta’s film will delve into this matter and finally, provide a greater protagonist for the heroine. Now, despite what it may seem, Monica Rambeau He is a traditional character in Marvel. He even has a prominent role in several of his most emblematic adventures, since his arrival in comics in the 1980s.
In fact, the figure has taken up the mantle of Captain Marvel, in addition to several incarnations. Among them, changing names — and capacities — over the years. Which allows her participation in the publisher’s film version to have the capacity to become broader and more central. Especially now that her collaboration with Carol Danvers (Brie Larsson) and its context, It is possible to take her directly to the first defense in an eventual multiversal confrontation.
Several names, the same heroine
Monica debuted in the world of comics in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 October 1982. Created by Roger Stern and artist John Romita Jr., at first she took the role of Captain Marvel directly. According to that first version of the story, she achieved superpowers after being subjected to an extradimensional energy discharge. Also, by becoming the only character capable of crossing space without suffering damage. Additionally, converting his body into energy. Which made her a character that was both heroic and dangerous. Thanks to his abilities, he could transform into light, thermodynamic energy, X-rays, neutrinos and even pure radiation.
This superpower turned her into a kind of time bomb, always very close to a deadly explosion. So much so that finally Hombre de Hierro and Spider-Man They joined forces to take away that power. The interesting thing is that the heroine also has an unusual, but direct, relationship with the family of The Fantastic Four. In fact, it was Ben Grimm the one who came to his comfort, once his powers became almost uncontrollable. After one of her riskiest abilities was taken from her, she also received comfort — and advice — from the red-skinned figure.
But overall, Monica Rambeau He is a character who, from the beginning, must fight against what he can do. Even stripped of the ability to become pure energy, she was still careless. Not only by being able to fly in space, but by focusing all of her power and making it explode. Both, and finally, deciding that he needed the Avengers’ help to control everything that could be.
A normal woman who became unstoppable
Unlike its film version, the comic version does not have any heroic past to tell. The daughter of a firefighter and a seamstress in New Orleans, she grew up to belong to the city’s Harbor Patrol. That connection to an ordinary origin was what made her leap as Captain Marvel all the more amazing. Roger Stern’s script shows her bewildered, stunned, but above all, full of good intentions and with all the morals of a law enforcement officer.
A curious point? The publisher used Monica Rambeau to create the first version of Captain Marvel. In fact, it was before Carol Danvers. And, unlike the latter, her title as a superhero does not come from an alien spy, but from the press. In fiction, Rambeau’s exploits surprised the public enough that he ended up carrying the nickname with which he debuted in the comics.
Due to her impeccable behavior, before and after obtaining powers, she was immediately accepted into The Avengers, all under the direction of Iron Man. Now, keeping her power under control, she fought outside and inside the earth, even becoming the team leader for a short period of time. Finally, after a series of battles, she was weakened enough to retreat and take a step aside in the work of monitoring and guarding the world from all types of threats.
A short disappearance
The superheroine disappeared from the comics, except for sporadic appearances without much interest. Along the way, she lost her name as Captain Marvel — to the spy Genis-Vell — and later, Photon, which she kept for a few years.. But his great return would occur in the series Nextwave by Warren Ellis of twelve issues, the first published on December 27, 2006.
In the story, Monica Rambeau is a bitter and enraged figure who discovers he was betrayed by an evil corporation. Although there is not much development of her context, there is in the evolution of her as a character. She became more aware that she did not need a group to stand up for good and that, more than that, she was destined to create her own way of being a hero. Which made it Spectrum. Under that name, he fought with Spider-Man, Blade and Luke Cage to stop Proxima Midnight, when she attacked New York City.
For its most contemporary stage, Rambeau has been part of the teams Mighty Avengers, Secret Avengers, Thunderbolts, Ultimates and Strikeforce. Finally, in 2022, the comic volume Monica Rambeau: Photon by Luca Maresca with illustrations by Ivan Fiorelli. This version is the most similar to the one we have seen in the Disney+ series and most certainly the one that will make its debut in the cinema with The Marvels.
Monica Rambeau in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
In it live actionMonica is part of SWORD (Sentient World Observation and Response Department, for its acronym in English). Which leads her to investigate what happened in the town of Westviewwork of magic Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). It is by crossing the force field that surrounds the population that the character obtains his powers. For the season finale, a post-credits scene shows her receiving a message from an agent. Skrullwhich takes her on what appears to be an intergalactic mission.
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What do you hope for the character in the future? Most likely, he will join the new Avengers team and perhaps even replace Carol Danvers. Which would close the cycle of the character and unite him with the version of him in the comic.