One of my favorite characters is Carol Danvers, currently using the moniker, Captain Marvel. I have enjoyed her story from the beginning. Her recovery from alcoholism is one of my favorite stories in any comic book. In DC Comics there’s the trinity, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. If there were a trinity for Marvel Comics, Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers would have to be one of the three.

Who I could be!

“This isn't a question of what I'm not. This is a question of who I could be.” - Ms. Marvel*

Carol Danvers is always trying to be better. As the Security Chief for a restricted Air Force Base she was the best at her job. While there she met Dr. Walter Lawson, the Kree/Human Captain Marvel. Carol, to save Captain Marvel from a Kree explosion is caught in the blast. Afterwards she is given her superpowers. Over the years she’s been experimented on to become “Binary” for a short time. She has had her powers stolen and changed by the X-man Rogue. Eventually coming back to her Air Force roots, she took the name Warbird. Through all this Carol Danvers gives it all up and becomes an alcoholic. With the help of friends and colleagues she works through all her issues and once again fights the good fight as Ms. Marvel. Now Carol guards the Earth from other worldly attacks as Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers strives to be the best of the best.

So, what can we learn from Ms. Marvel? To always be our best. It is about what we can do. It is about what we can become. We will change, we will grow, and we will become better. So many times, our focus should be what we can do in the moment. We have certain qualities that we will never lose but how we express them will change. An artist that paints may one day sculpt. The teacher may become a principal. So, it is what we are good at in the moment. Stay in the moment and remember the words of Muhammad Ali, “A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.”

Ms. Marvel
First Appearance: As Carol Danvers, Marvel Super-Heroes #13, Marvel Comics (March 1968)

First Appearance: As Ms. Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Volume 1 #1, Marvel Comics (January 1977) Gerry Conway

First Appearance: As Binary, Uncanny X-Men #164, Marvel Comics (Dec. 1982) Dave Cockrum.

First Appearance: As Warbird, The Avengers volume 3 #4, Marvel Comics (May 1998) Kurt Busiek & George Perez

First Appearance: As Captain Marvel, Avenging Spider-Man #9, Marvel Comics (July 2012) Kelly Sue DeConnick Creators: (Danvers) Roy Thomas (plot), Gene Colan (art),

* Giant-Size Ms. Marvel volume 1 #1 2008