Welcome the most cosmic superhero of all to Marvel Legends: Captain Marvel!

Mar-Vell first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967), created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. Mar-Vell was a pink-skinned member of the Kree race who came to Earth to originally spy on them. After he dons his uniform to help people, he’s asked his name, to which he said, Captain Mar-Vell, which was misinterpreted as Captain Marvel, and the name stuck. After helping the earthlings, he was branded a traitor by the Kree empire. Mar=Vell donned a new costume, which became the iconic one, and he was banished to the Negative Zone. The Kree leader, the Supreme Intelligence, allowed Mar-Vell to contact Rick Jones, and allow him to change places with him, via the Nega-band. Mar-Vell and Jones would exchange places, so one would be in the Negative Zone and would be in this dimension. Shortly after, Mar-Vell would be transformed into the Protector of the Universe, and given the powers of flight, energy blast, and cosmic awareness. In his battle against the forces of evil, Mar-Vell developed cancer and eventually died. But Mar-Vell’s legacy would continue to live on.

What’s really interesting is the backstory of the name of Captain Marvel.  The first Captain Marvel was a hero from the Golden Age, who eventually went out of print. When Marvel Comics started using Captain Marvel, DC Comics would buy the rights to the original Captain Marvel and tried to start their own comic. Marvel was smart and was able to trademark the name Captain Marvel and this forced DC Comics to have to name their title Shazam.

Now, this is a great figure. I’m truly loving the sculpt here. The head looks like Ed McGuinness art, which I think is really cool. I know most people associate Mar-Vell with Jim Starlin, but I feel on this Marvel Legends body would be too skinny, but that’s just my opinion. The paint apps are flawless on here. They really pop. I also love the Nega-bands on Mar-Vell. My only complaint is I can’t fully put his arms over his head to get that KTANG that I would love to have happen.

Mar-Vell comes with the Abomination Build-A-Figure right arm.

I’m so happy Hasbro gave us a Mar-Vell figure. This has been one that’s been missing from my collection for far too long!

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By Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher

An avid comic collector/reader for over 50 years and self-proclaimed professor of comicology, Brian originally started up the site Pendragon's Post to share his voice. Well, that voice has been shared and evolved into The Fanboy Factor. Brian is an advocate for remembering comic roots, and that we don't forget what was created in the past, and encourage everyone to read it as well. When not swimming in geek culture, he can be seen corrupting..introducing his young son to comics, much to his wife's chagrin.