Avengers #279
Command Decision
On her way to visit her parents in New Orleans, Captain Marvel stops in Atlanta to help police with an active shooter. After convincing the gunman to surrender, Monica arrives at her parents house and tells them that something unexpected happened during her recent meeting with the Avengers. It all happened when the Wasp resigned as chairwoman on the team.
Captain America surprised Monica by nominating her as the team’s new leader. This is seconded by the Black Knight. Although Monica was flattered with the nomination she isn’t sure she could accept. As were being made, she couldn’t help but notice Doctor Druid’s eyes watching her intently, unaware that he has his own aspirations for leadership but has to bide his time since he is the newest member of the team. Thor nominates himself, but this leads to protests from She-Hulk.[1] Since Monica wasn’t sure if she wanted the role, Cap suggested they table the decision until their next meeting.
Finishing her tale, Monica asks her parents for their thoughts on the idea. Frank Rambeau is happy to hear that his daughter is being considered as leader of the Avengers, and tells her that an endorsement from Captain America himself should be enough to make up her mind. Monica admits that the idea is tempting but she has been trying to start up her own business, something her mother encourages particularly because it would provide Frank with alternative employment from his current job as a fire fighter.[2] Still, Maria Rambeau is sure her daughter will make the right choice, for everybody.
Meanwhile, She-Hulk is settling in at the Avengers new headquarters on Hydrobase, as the beaches remind her of California. She finds Dane Whiteman out practicing his swordsmanship and they talk about the pending leadership vote. Jennifer once again expresses her dislike of the idea of Thor becoming their leader. Arriving on the scene is Doctor Druid who uses his mental powers to have some fun by making She-Hulk think they are under attack by a giant ape. While She-Hulk takes the joke with good nature, she warns him against pulling such a prank on her again.
At that same moment, Captain Marvel pays a visit to Karla Sofen, aka Moonstone, in the prison hospital where she is recovering from a broken neck.[3] Moonstone blames Captain Marvel for her condition and boasts about how she could have led the Masters of Evil to victory had she been in charge of the attack on Avengers Mansion.[4] Monica points out to Karla that she would be a flawed leader as she appears incapable of owning her mistakes and leaves. Monica finds this visit a waste of sympathy so she goes to visit Hercules in the hospital, who is still in a coma following the Master’s attack. She comes to talk to him because she had heard that coma patients can hear people to talking to him. Unfortunately, nothing she says registers a response so she leaves to think. As soon as she is gone, Hercules mutters a word in Greek.[5]
Monica travels to an abandoned Roxxon oil rig on the Gulf of Mexico, the place where she got her powers. She recalls how much her life had changed on that day when she was a low ranking member of the Coast Guard. It was then that she got involved with Professor Andre LeClare, who warned Monica that his former assistant Felipe Picaro was using the rig to build an energy siphon weapon for a South American dictator. Monica went under cover to stop this from happening but when LeClare accidentally blew her cover she was forced to destroy the machine herself. She was bombarded with energy in the process which gave her the powers she would use as Captain Marvel.[6] It wasn’t long after this that Monica was invited to join the Avengers where she went on many adventures that she could never dream were possible.[7] However, she realizes that these adventures have come at the price of her private life as Monica Rambeau, and she wonders if becoming the leader of the Avengers will put her in the same position that made the Wasp quit.
She decides to get some advice from the man who nominated her: Captain America. She finds Cap in the Appalachian Mountains where he is helping rescue children who have been trapped in a cave on at Kozak’s Cavern, a popular tourist attraction in the area. Entering the mine using her energy powers, Captain Marvel helps Cap save the children. It is saving the lives of these children’s lives that convinces Monica that she should accept the position of chairwomen.
Meanwhile, back at Newhope Memorial Hospital, a man enters Hercules’ room and takes carries him away. The only witness to the kidnapping is the nurse at the front desk who watches from the room monitor.
Recurring Characters
Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Black Knight, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Doctor Druid), Frank Rambeau, Maria Rambeau, Moonstone, Hercules, Apollo (unidentified)
Continuity Notes
Thor states that he is busy with other matters but can devote time to lead the Avengers. At the time of this story, Thor is trying to undo a curse put on him by Hela that has made him immortal but with brittle bones that won’t heal. This happened in Thor #273 and won’t get lifted until after the events of Thor #382.
Monica has been trying to start her own business since Avengers #236.
Moonstone broke her neck trying to flee capture in Avengers #276.
Baron Zemo led the Masters of Evil on an attack on Avengers Mansion which took place in Avengers #273-277.
The word Hercules says here is “πα Τηρ” which roughly translates to pater, or father. Hercules’ call will be heard by Zeus who sends for his son, leading to a battle between the Avengers and the gods of Olympus as seen in Avengers #281-285.
This recounting of Monica’s origins are derived from the original tale told in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #18.
Monica joined the Avengers in issue #227. She mentions some of her missions here: rescuing the President of the United States (issue #231-232), traveled to the moon (annual #12), the sun (issues #233 and 271) and across galaxies (issues #252-261 and annual #14)
Topical References
The security monitor at the nurse’s desk is depicted as a CRT monitor. This should be considered a topical reference as these types of displays are obsolete.
