Captain Marvel: 10 things to know about Captain Marvel before her MCU debut
Civil War II
If the First Superhero Civil War could be said to be about gun control, then the Second Superhero Civil War would be about police profiling. If then it was about national security versus individual liberty, then now it was about personal accountability.
In the 2016 “Civil War II” storyline written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by David Marquez and Justin Ponsor, Carol is one of the leads in a company wide ideological clash that saw nearly every superhero team get involved in one way or another.
When the Terrigen Mists hit Ohio State University, a student named Ulysses Cain discovers that he is an Inhuman with precognitive powers. Based on a vision he received and experienced, the Inhumans are able to help the Avengers repel an attack by a Celestial Destroyer.
During an afterparty to celebrate, Ulysses reveals his ability, Carol Danvers seizes on it as a chance to prevent crimes before they occur, and Tony Stark realizes how dangerous that could be in the wrong hands. Carol offers him a job with the Ultimates.
Three weeks later, while repelling an arrival from Thanos to Earth, James Rhodes/War Machine is killed and Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk is severely wounded.
After Iron Man kidnaps Ulysses from the Inhuman homeland of New Attilan, Captain Marvel leads a group to find Tony. During the argument that follows, Ulysses has a vision of the Hulk killing them all.
Acting on that information, Carol arrives in Utah with the rest of the heroes in tow to interrogate Bruce Banner, which rapidly escalates until Clint Barton/Hawkeye assassinates Banner.
Carol is a witness during Hawkeye’s trial, where he is acquitted, while Tony learns that Ulysses’ visions are educated guesses, not certainties. Meanwhile, Carol continues her policy of arresting potential criminals, including civilians with no obvious criminal ties, arguing with SHIELD Director Maria Hill over this tactic.
Iron Man leads a group of Avengers and X-Men to attack the Triskelion against Captain Marvel’s forces of Ultimates, Inhumans, Alpha Flight, another group of X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy. During the massive battle which follows, Ulysses sees Miles Morales/Spider-Man killing Steve Rogers on the steps of the US Capitol building, and Carol promptly has Miles arrested.
Morales escapes and winds up at the Capitol steps, where Carol is prepared to take him into custody. Tony arrives on the scene and a gigantic air battle ensues between the two of them, ending with Ulysses’ vision not coming to pass, but with Tony in a coma, while Ulysses evolves into a cosmic entity.
Some time later, Carol meets with the President in the White House, who offers her unlimited resources in order to lead the superhero community. Tony, as a techno-ghost, eventually reconciles with Carol.