Was Captain Marvel the First Avenger? Debunking the Myth

Many fans and superhero enthusiasts might be curious to know if Captain Marvel was the first Avenger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, the answer is a resounding no. Let's delve into the history and explore who deserved the title of the first Avenger.

The Comic Book History

It's important to recognize that in the original comic book series, the Avengers lineup has a different origin narrative. Captain Marvel, whose real name is Carol Danvers, was not part of the original lineup. The original Avengers in the comics were comprised of Iron Man (Tony Stark), Thor (Thor), the Hulk (Bruce Banner), Ant-Man (Scott Lang), and the Wasp (Hope van Dyne).

The MCU Timeline

When we look at the MCU timeline, the story takes a slightly different turn. In the MCU, the first Avenger is Captain America, also known as Steve Rogers.

Captain America's Origin

Captain America was born on July 4, 1918, but he did not become active until 1943. He is the first official Avenger in the MCU because he was the first superhero to become influential in forming the Avengers team. Even before the formation of the Avengers, Steve Rogers was leading missions for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR).

Other Contenders

While Captain Marvel did inspire Nick Fury to form the Avengers, she was not the first Avenger. Here are some other contenders:

Thor

Thor, the God of Thunder, has been around for 1500 years, making him one of the oldest superheroes in the MCU. However, his involvement in the Avengers is more recent, with him joining the team later in the series.

Tony Stark (Iron Man)

From a timeline perspective, Iron Man was the first active superhero in the MCU. His first appearance in an Iron Man film marked the beginning of the Avengers' journey. Nick Fury did court Tony to form the Avengers before Steve Rogers was thawed, indicating Iron Man's intended status as the first active member of the team.

Nick Fury and the Idea of the Avengers

Nick Fury, while not an active superhero, was instrumental in the creation of the Avengers. He took inspiration from Captain Marvel to form the team. The partnership between Captain Marvel and Nick Fury played a crucial role in the formation of the Avengers. However, Captain Marvel's role was more of a visionary and inspiration, not an active participant in the lineup until much later.

Who Deserves to Be Called the First Avenger?

Given the information above, it's clear that Captain America is the earliest and most deserving Avenger:

captain america (steve rogers): He is the first to don the mask of an Avenger and lead missions for the SSR, which later became the Avengers. thor: While he has been around for a long time, his impact in the Avengers team is more recent. tony stark (iron man): He was the first to actively join the SSR and later, the Avengers. He was also the first to bring Nick Fury together with other superheroes. captain marvel (carol danvers): She inspired the formation of the Avengers team but was not the first to join the lineup.

In conclusion, while Captain Marvel is a pivotal figure in the history of the Avengers, she is not the first Avenger. Captain America's leadership and active participation in the SSR, which preceded the formation of the Avengers, make him the first official Avenger. The Marvel Cinematic Universe and the comic book history both support this conclusion, making Steve Rogers the earliest and most deserving Avenger title.