Stan Lee was a pillar in the comics community who created and co-created some of the most important comic book characters of all time. As a writer, editor, and publisher, he helped shape Marvel comics, and the larger comics industry, which continues to thrive on the foundation that he built. With the approach of what would have been Lee’s 100th birthday on December 28, 2022, we are celebrating Lee’s legacy in comics.

Marvel’s version of Captain Marvel debuted 55 years ago in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967) in a story written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Gene Colan. His backstory was given in Captain Marvel #1 in May 1968; a Kree named Mar-Vell, he originally came to Earth as a spy in order to decide if humans would pose a threat to the Kree Empire. The name “Captain Marvel” is assigned to him after people mishear him saying his own name. He eventually sides with humanity and is found guilty of treason against the Kree Empire, though he escapes his death sentence in a stolen rocket.

Later, he would be linked to Rick Jones, who would serve as somewhat of an alter-ego for Mar-Vell, who landed himself trapped in the Negative Zone. By using “nega-bands,” Mar-Vell and Jones could switch places for a short period of time. Unfortunately, the character failed to grab audiences, and despite the changes to make him more science fiction-oriented, would end up only being published occasionally throughout the late ‘60s. The title was canceled with issue #21 in 1970.

However, after Mar-Vell appeared in the Kree-Skull War from ’71 to ’72, his series kicked back off with issue #22 in September 1972. The character was revamped by Jim Starlin in issue #25, and Captain Marvel grew a stronger following because of it. Despite the start of the Ms. Marvel spin-off series in 1977, sales never picked up in the way that Marvel wanted them to, and the series would be canceled again in 1979. Mar-Vell’s death was written by Starlin in The Death of Captain Marvel, which was also Marvel’s first graphic novel.

The Death of Captain Marvel saw a rather definitive end for the character: Mar-Vell discovers that past exposure to “Compound 13” gas had given him cancer that will eventually kill him. As the Kree still considered him a traitor, he lacked access to their medical expertise that may have saved him. Eventually, his many allies – and even his sworn enemies, the Skrulls – pay their respects to the dying hero. As he nears death, he experiences a vision of Thanos, who has arrived to guide Mar-Vell into the afterlife, along with Mistress Death.

Mar-Vell was seen on a rare occasion in the 1990s and 2000s, when other characters (such as the Silver Surfer) find themselves in the Realm of the Dead. During Chaos War he, along with several other deceased Avengers, are restored to life. Unfortunately for Mar-Vell, his resurrection is short-lived, being killed once more by the Grim Reaper himself.

Though Mar-Vell might not be the most popular Captain Marvel – that likely goes to Carol Danvers, who will be the titular character in the upcoming Captain Marvel film – he’ll always be the first. His selflessness and heroism established the standard that all other Captain Marvels have been held to, and though it’s unlikely that Mar-Vell will ever be permanently restored to life, his legacy clearly lives on.