Over the past year I’ve become a fan of the current incarnation of Captain Marvel. Why would I phrase it that way? Well, I’m not talking about the DC hero and the Marvel version has had a half dozen or so folks carrying the mantel. It’s not to say I’m not interested in the earlier Captains, but thus far it’s Carol Danvers who has me hooked.

Now Major Danvers has been in the Marvel Universe since the late 60s and was the first incarnation of Ms. Marvel in 1977. She started out human, but an accident gave her superpowers thanks to the Kree (that’s a whole other realm of the MU). It’s why she’s able to fly and survive in space. And she’s crossed paths with pretty much all members of the MU from the Avengers to the X-Men to Guardians of the Galaxy.

Major Danvers became Captain Marvel in 2012, in a series written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, one of the best comic writers around today. The combination of the great storytelling and a strong character is what pulled me in and has kept me reading. She’s not “girly” but doesn’t act “manly” to be accepted – she is who she is and does what must be done for justice. I love the way she is not only a warrior but also an emissary and mediator, as necessary. But she’s far from serious and has a great, sarcastic sense of humor.

The depth of character is what has me interested in what’s going to happen with the 2019 movie as well. Lots of names have already been thrown around to play Captain Marvel and a few have been relatively ok. My concern is that they find someone who is a good actor for the role. The blonde hair can be faked, the fighting can be learned, but the right actor needs to portray not only physical strength but emotional and moral as well. (Which is why casting a particular no-longer-undefeated fighter would be a horrendous move.)

Captain Marvel is now high on my list of favorites and I plan to go back into Major Danvers’ run of Ms. Marvel as well. What can I say… as a comic reader I need the full story.