The Kree Empire sends Captain Mar-Vell to Earth as a spy. Coming to empathize with humanity, Mar-Vell betrays his orders and is welcomed as a hero by the people of Earth. After being banished to the Negative Zone, he later is merged with Rick Jones via the Kree nega-bands, allowing them to change places upon slamming them together, in a manner similar to the Original Captain Marvel and Billy Batson. They didn't even change the colors of either character much.

Almost concurrently with Captain Mar-Vell's first appearance (the next issue), we meet Carol Danvers (not to be confused with Linda Danvers/Supergirl). She will later encounter an accident that will transform her into Ms. Marvel. Here are her first two pages:

The Silver Surfer's origin is revealed. When Galactus came to his home planet of Zenn-La and readied himself to devour that world, Norrin Rad, having great love for his planet and his beloved Shalla Bal, petitioned Galactus to spare his world. Having only himself to offer, Norrin offered to act as his herald and find planets suited to him as the servant of Galactus. In response, Galactus embued Norrin Rad with the Power Cosmic - and so was born The Silver Surfer. He left his home in search of planets for the Devourer of Worlds, until he reached Earth.

Hank Pym (Ant-Man/Giant-Man) creates Ultron, a robot based on his own brain patterns, who rebels due to an irrational hatred for his "father"/creator and sets out to destroy mankind. His creation appears in Avengers #55, but he will not reveal himself to them until some time later.

The Vision, a synthezoid, is created by Ultron, to battle the Avengers, but, in an ironic twist, rebels against his creator and becomes an Avenger. The Vision is thought to be based on the same android technology as The Original Human Torch and his brain patterns are based on those of Wonder Man (Simon Williams, believed to be deceased at that time).

Franklin Richards is born to Reed and Sue Richards of the Fantastic Four.

The Black Widow updates her look as a costumed adventurer and operative of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Amazing Spider-Man #89 (Marvel Fanfare cover used, here, as she does not appear on the Spider-Man cover):

Captain America, after training trapped social worker Sam Wilson to create a new identity as The Falcon, finds a worthy partner in him, changing the cover title of his series to "Captain America and The Falcon" for almost 10 years.
(SIDE NOTE: It should be stated that Cap and Sam's relationship spanned - in the comics, at least - more than 50 years when the MCU version handed his shield over to the Falcon. Cap's relationship with Bucky might have been, possibly, 5 years at most, spanning from prior to America's involvement in WWII - around 1940 - to its end in 1945, when Bucky was apparently killed attempting to disarm a rocket warhead. Bucky)

Jack Kirby was the architect of the Marvel Comic Book Universe (note that - after a passing co-plotting discussion with Stan Lee - he would draw the entirety of any issue with notes in the margins on what was going on, leaving Stan to simply script the words in, also referred to thereafter as the "Marvel Style" of creating comics. This meant that he was not only intimately involved in the creation of the storyline itself, but was the only one faced with a blank page and created everything out of his own imagination, leaving the books to have the wording filled in. There are instances of him introducing a character and having to explain it to Stan later - most famously, the Silver Surfer appearing with Galactus on the final page of Fantastic Four #48. And it should also be noted that he co-plotted and drew the first 102 issues of the Fantastic Four and the first 7 Annuals, where the majority of the Marvel Universe was either introduced or crossed over for the first time (see every issue of Fantastic Four for the first 5 years, where such instances are jam-packed). In late 1969 or early 1970, feeling - by all accounts, justifiably - that Marvel and Stan Lee have failed on their promises to him, leaves for a better offer from the Distinguished Competition.

Many comics historians and critics indicate that the first 10 years of Marvel's production built its reputation so highly that they spent the following 10 years failing to live up to its initial output as "The House of Ideas". Many credit Kirby's presence not only as a co-plotter, writer and penciller, but also as a mentor to many comics professionals whom Stan would send to Kirby for instruction on how to tell stories from panel to panel. Kirby's departure is an event so staggeringly unexpected, it is considered the end of the Silver Age (referred to in this company's books as the Marvel Age) of comics.

The Bronze Age (1971-1980)

Psychiatrist Leonard Skivorski, Jr., experimenting with Gamma Radiation siphoned off from the Hulk (intended to cure Bruce Banner of the Hulk... it was temporary) and finds his hair transformed to much longer, green hair and his body's muscles similarly transforme much like the Hulk. He takes on the name Doc Samson (after the biblical hero whose strength was dependent upon the length of his hair).

Doctor Strange, the Sub-Mariner and The Hulk team up to defeat an alien techno-wizard, Yandroth, and remain a team afterward. They will later add the Silver Surfer and others to their ranks.

The Black Widow teams up with Daredevil during the time that he has relocated to San Francisco.

The Avengers are summoned by Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Captain Marvel (the former Kree captain, Mar-Vell) and Rick Jones are attempting to free themselves from the need to switch places between the Negative Zone and our universe by bringing Rick Jones from the Negative Zone to Earth. In the aftermath, Annihilus escapes the Negative Zone and is repelled by Captain Marvel and the Avengers. Mar-Vell must rid himself of radiation built up from his extended stay in the Negative Zone, which is affected by The Vision. However, the Skrulls have infiltrated The Avengers in order to reduce their power as a team and affect the dissolution of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Thus, the Avengers  become involved in the millennia-old interstellar conflict between the Kree and the Skrulls (both races were created by cosmic beings known as the Celestials, who were experimenting with the evolution of many intelligent beings across the universe - this experimentation was the inspiration for the Kree interfering with Human development, resulting in The Inhumans). It will span 9 issues and require multiple artists and the conjuring of Golden Age super-heroes to bring the Earth's involvement in the conflict to an end.

Black Widow and Daredevil team up with the Avengers. Black Widow, understanding that her relationship with Matt Murdock/Daredevil will not progress forward - and understanding that her effectiveness as a crimefighter would be welcomed by Earth's Mightiest Heroes, joins the Avengers.

During a fight with the Green Goblin, Gwen Stacy is killed when Spider-man is unable to save her.

Mar-Vell (Captain Marvel) encounters Eon, a cosmic entity associated with time, who gifts Mar-Vell with Cosmic Awareness, making him the Universe's cosmic champion.

Marvel introduces Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu in Special Marvel Edition. The character becomes so popular that the series is renamed "The Deadly Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu" and he also stars in Marvel's magazine "The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu".

Marvel introduces Frank Castle, The Punisher. An early anti-hero whose wife and two children were brutally murdered by the mob for witnessing a killing in Central Park. Castle's special operations Marine training, using every weapon and method of coercion in his arsenal, are employed to wage a one-man war on crime.

Also during this period, Cap becomes disillusioned with the US government after a serious scandal and he gives up the title of Captain America, becoming "Nomad". After failed attempts at replacement by the government of Captain America, Steve Rogers re-asserts himself as Cap, noting that he is not the symbol of the government but of the United States of America, itself.

Wendell Rand, as a young boy exploring the Himalayas, happens upon K'un-L'un, a mystical city which irregularly encounters the earthly plane. He saves the life of the city's ruler, Lord Tuan, who adopts Wendell and raises him as his son. Upon growing up and returning to America, he becomes wealthy, marries socialite Heather Duncan and has a son, Danny. He leads an expedition, attempting to reconnect with K'un-L'un with his son, wife and partner, Harold, who betrays him during an accident and allows Wendell to fall to his death. Harold confesses his love for Heather, who rejects him. Harold leaves Heather and Danny to die. They wander the mountains, finally finding a bridge in the middle of nowhere when wolves, following their trail, attack. Heather sacrifices herself so that Danny may find shelter across the bridge. It is then that Danny enters K'un-L'un. Danny is trained in martial arts, eventually passing a trial with a dragon that grants him the Iron Fist. Danny Rand returns to America so seek out his father's killer and takes on the mantle of Iron Fist.

The Canadian government brings their "Weapon X" to attack the Hulk. This adventurer, named Wolverine, is knocked out.

Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) encounters Thanos, a deviant member of the race of Eternals (long- lived, almost godlike beings, who once lived on Mount Olympus, but now reside on Saturn's moon, Titan). Thanos, fascinated by nihilism, falls in love with the personification of Death in the Marvel Universe and embarks on a quest to eliminate known life.

The being known as "Him" becomes Adam Warlock, a cosmic adventurer and possessor of the Soul Gem. An artifact of remarkable power. His duality creates great concern within him, but he is determined to use his power for the good of the universe, accompanied by Gamora (adopted daughter of Thanos and assassin) and Pip, a Laxadazian, known to be a hedonistic race.

Professor X assembles a new team to rescue the original X-Men. First appearance of Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler and first addition of Wolverine and Banshee to the team.

Adam Warlock, recognizing his duality and place in the universe, takes on Thanos, the Mad Titan. Knowing it will be a fight to the death.

The Champions, a Los Angeles-based super-hero team forms, led by Black Widow with Hercules, Ghost Rider, and former X-Men Angel and Iceman.

The Beast discovers a mutagenic formula and inoculates himself, resulting in his becoming a beast in appearance, as well as name.

Jean Grey/Marvel Girl, after she is terminally injured during re-entry to Earth's atmosphere in a space shuttle - re-emerges from Jamaica Bay with almost limitless power as The Phoenix. 

Carol Danvers, having been in an explosion with Captain Mar-Vell, finds herself infused with Mar-Vell's DNA and powers. She will undergo power set changes and codenames (Binary and Warbird) before becoming the new Captain Marvel.

Captain Marvel and The Avengers are brought into what will become known as The Thanos War. They battle the Mad Titan at the request of Adam Warlock. Ending in death - but of whom?

Luke Cage, Power Man, after having an adventure with Danny Rand, Iron Fist, makes the team official.

Tony Stark succumbs to, and later addresses, alcoholism.

Scott Lang, a failed electronics expert, upon parole from incarceration for burglary, is hired by Stark International's design department and becomes involved in the installation of a new security system at the Avengers Mansion. When his daughter, Cassie, suffers from a grave illness, he turns to burglary again, stealing Dr. Hank Pym's Ant-Man suit. When he seeks out the only person capable of curing his daughter, he finds Dr. Sondheim in captivity. He rescues Sondheim, who saves Cassie's life. Upon offering to return the Ant-Man equipment, Dr. Pym decides that the equipment is in the right hands and allows Scott Lang to become the second Ant-Man (Marvel Premiere #77) as long as he stays on the right side of the law. Lang becomes an occasional Ant-Man assisting various Avengers from time to time.

Alpha Flight, a super-team from Canada, attempts to capture Wolverine and battles the X-Men.

Jennifer Walters, lawyer cousin of Bruce Banner, receives a blood transfusion from him, resulting in her becoming the She-Hulk. She-Hulk - in contrast to Bruce - is in full control of her faculties.

Jean Grey becomes Dark Phoenix upon allowing the Phoenix force to overcome her personal judgment, resulting in her destroying a sun, destroying an inhabited planet and being called to pay for her crime by being psychically lobotomized by the Shi'ar Empire. A battle ensues between the entire roster of the X-Men and the Imperial Guard (artist Dave Cockrum's homage to his first successful team, the Legion of Super-Heroes). Desperately overpowered, the X-Men losing, Jean - feeling the Phoenix taking over again - summons Kree technology from their battlefield (the Blue Area of the Moon) and sacrifices herself, rather than lose control of her nigh-omnipotent power again.

The Independent Age/Carol Kalish Age (1980-1987)

Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) falls victim to what the Kree call "the Blackend", or what is called Cancer on Earth.

Daredevil (Matt Murdock) rediscovers his lost love, Elektra (now a deadly assassin) and also encounters The Punisher, both of whom will go on to have their own adventures chronicled. (The Punisher story, while printed later in issue #183, was slated for issue #163 - but was delayed due to pushback from the Comics Code Authority - and its story remained effectively unchanged once published, as it was referenced in issue #169, so it falls neatly within this area of the timeline.)

The Inhumans, succumbing to the effects of worldwide pollution, move their city of Attilan from its remote location in the Himalayas to the Blue Area of the Moon.

The assassin, Bullseye, duels with Elektra, resulting in her death and Bullseye's paralyzation.

After the Fantastic Four and Avengers defeat Terrax the Untamed (now deceased Herald of Galactus), the being Galactus lies in failing health, starved closer to death than he has ever been. Giving him a small power boost from Mjolnir, Thor's Hammer, he is revived, but at a low ebb. Reed Richards provides a local planet with life force energy that can sustain him and the idea to empower a new herald comes to Galactus. Frankie Raye - Johnny Storm's girlfriend, step-daughter of Phineas Horton (creator of the Original Human Torch) and Female Human Torch - offers herself. She is fascinated with the idea of traveling the cosmos and completely ignores Johnny's pleas to reconsider. She is recreated as: Nova.

The Contest of Champions, the first major Marvel Universe Crossover, is published. A showdown created by two Elders of the Universe - the Grandmaster and an unknown opponent for the life of his fellow Elder, The Collector.

Professor Xavier creates another team of high school aged students, the New Mutants.

Joining the X-Men after Rogue has stolen her powers and memory, Carol Danvers receives cosmic powers after an experiment by the alien race known as The Brood and becomes Binary.

Although an original Marvel character, Shang-Chi's title is brought to a close, due to Marvel's rights to Fu Manchu (a fictional villain whose copyright belongs to novelist Sax Rohmer) lapsing. Fu Manchu was originally said to be Shang-Chi's father.

Monica Rambeau, a new, photon-powered Captain Marvel joins the Avengers.

Alpha Flight, a team previously intended to be led by Wolverine and the last of Department H's defense initiative (Alpha Flight being the premiere group of it's sub-teams of Beta Flight, Delta Flight and Gamma Flight) become more active in the Marvel Universe.

Reed Richards disappears from Earth. When he is found by the rest of the Fantastic Four, he is on trial for the rescue of Galactus, the World Devourer (remember FF #244?). Many members of the Marvel Cosmos turn up to speak on behalf of Mr. Fantastic. Even Galactus, himself.

The Avengers begin a West Coast Team under the direction of Hawkeye.

The Beyonder kidnaps Earth's heroes and villains to battle on a planet of his creation. Spider-Man finds his symbiote (black) costume. [Secret Wars]

She-Hulk becomes a member of the Fantastic Four, when The Thing stays behind on the "Beyonder's Planet", where he is able to shift to Ben Grimm at will. She-Hulk replaces the Thing in the Fantastic Four for a time until Ben returns from the "Beyonder's Planet".

Iron Man embarks on a mission to destroy armored suits that were created from his own stolen technology (Armor Wars).

Bruce Banner breaks through in a session with Doc Sampson, resulting in the merging of his three personalities (Grey Hulk, Green Hulk and Banner) and giving Banner successful and fully cognitive control over his Hulk persona

When a disturbance is noted in Jamaica Bay, the Avengers investigate. Upon doing so, they find a human-sized cocoon, which they retrieve and bring to Avengers Mansion. The Fantastic Four visit the mansion, Captain America requests that Reed Richards inspect the cocoon, which appears to be pure energy.  Sue Richards makes the cocoon invisible, layer-by-layer, until it is revealed there is a human woman inside. Inside the cocoon, the healing body of Jean Grey emerges, overpowering the inhabitants of the mansion until she is oriented to her supposed death. Visiting her parents' home, using the Shi'ar memory globe at her parents' home, which housed memories from the Phoenix-force that took her place in the X-Men, years ago.

The Dark Age (1987-1997)

The Punisher receives his own series and is portrayed as a hero.

Venom - a character which is an amalgam of Eddie Brock and the scorned symbiote costume of Spider-Man - terrorizes Mary Jane Parker to the point that she asks Peter Parker never to wear the black costume again.

Venom later receives his own series and is portrayed as a hero.

Charles Xavier leaves the School for Gifted Youngsters in the hands of the X-Men's enemy Magneto, leading to a splintering of mutant groups, such as X-Factor (the original X-Men). The Angel's wings are injured and amputated, then replaced with razor-sharp wings after he is hyper-mutated by the evil mutant Apocolypse.

"The Clone Saga" is published, reintroducing clones of Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy from a long-forgotten (by choice) Bronze Age story. This story featured a clone whose dead body had been incinerated in the previous tale.

In addition to these turns in storytelling, other developments occur.

The Silver Surfer is released from his imprisonment on Earth, resulting in many star-spanning adventures. Most importantly, several run-ins with the Elders of the Universe, cosmic powered beings who have outlived their respective races and who, among others, possess different versions of Adam Warlock's "Soul Gem". The Grandmaster, The Collector, The Gardner, The Runner and Champion all collude to harness the collected power of these gems to challenge the power of Galactus. This will have immediate consequences and even further, long-term consequences for each of them.

She-Hulk begins to talk to the readers of her book, breaking the "4th Wall" of comics in her new series, written and drawn by John Byrne, who will chronicle her exploits for 24 issues, having this ability carried on by subsequent writers on this particular title. This was at the beginning of 1989, almost a full decade before Deadpool began using this same storytelling device in the mid-to-late-1990s. Dependent upon the writer, this ability will be utilized sporadically for She-Hulk in the coming decades.

The Original Human Torch is (finally) revived. The "Torch" who battled Johnny Storm turns out to have been Toro, the Original Torch's human sidekick. Professor Horton reveals that The Vision is not his work, but an amalgam of some spare parts from his lab. This provides an explanation as to why the original Human Torch was a synthetic human (with synthetic tissue and blood) and the Vision was a synthezoid with robotics (electronic components, as seen in Avengers #93).

Namor, the Sub-Mariner learns that his hybrid physiology requires him to spend time in both the water and air, in order to maintain a healthy psychiatric profile.  Shortly thereafter, The Invaders, if only for a brief moment, reunite to squash a Nazi threat at the end of the 20th Century.

Several years of intrigue surrounding the "Soul Gems" and schemes by the Elders of the Universe (The Grandmaster, The Collector, The Gardner, The Runner and Champion) to harness their power results in embarkment upon the "Thanos Quest". The Mad Titan is resurrected by Death to tip the balance of universal power toward her kingdom by wiping out half the population of the universe. He has discovered the true nature of the Soul Gems. Thanos then dubs them "Infinity Gems" and creates the Infinity Gauntlet to use them in unison, rendering him omnipotently powerful. A situation that requires the attention of every hero in the Marvel Universe. [Thanos Quest/The Infinity Gauntlet]

"Marvels" by writer Kurt Busiek and painter Alex Ross is published, reliving the history of the Marvel Universe through the eyes of one of its inhabitants, a photo-journalist by the name of Phil Sheldon.

Heroes "Reborn"

The Marvel Universe (Earth-616) is briefly erased between 1996-1997 with "Heroes Reborn". Heroes Reborn, itself, is quickly erased in 1998, rendering it unecessary to retell here. Suffice it to say that the mind of Franklin Richards creates a universe which supplants the mainstream universe (with versions of heroes as written and rendered by Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee), and then returns things to normal again as the Marvel Universe rights itself in the re-starting of its flagship titles - an event quietly referred to as "Heroes Return".

The Modern Era (1998-2022)

The return of the Marvel Universe (Earth-616) was chronicled by Marvel titles beginning in 1998. Much had changed, but our heroes essentially picked up where they left off. 

The Black Panther's adventures as king, diplomat and head of state to an intentionally isolationist - and, as a result, rather xenophobic - and technically advanced culture are told. He deals with border skirmishes, civil unrest, enemies both metaphysical and political. He works to determine how best to continue the legacy of his father, T'Chaka, who built the country into the most technically advanced nation in the world. He disbands Hatut Zeraze, an elite spy and assassin group created by his father, T'Chaka, and led by his adopted brother, Hunter. T'Challa cites their organization and methods as being arcane and brutal. He fights his strongest enemy, Killmonger, while attempting to save the life of his long time girlfriend, Monica Lynne and also address Nakia, an overly obsessive member of his elite guard, the Dora Milaje order.
(T'Challa's triumphs and tragedies during the Christopher Priest era build the foundation for the Black Panther movie which opened in February 2018)

Rick Jones becomes "partners" with Captain Marvel's son, Genis-Vell, experiencing the same molecular transfer with the nega-bands as with Mar-Vell, only this time through the Microverse, rather than the Negative Zone.

The Avengers return from an altered timeline where they were banished with their memories erased to Earth-616. They investigate the mysterious Triune Understanding, deal again with Ultron, welcome a few new members and generally re-establish the team as the Earth's Mightiest Heroes (note Carol Danvers below in her Ms. Marvel costume, later re-dubbed "Warbird" and quickly reverting back to her Marvel moniker).

Scott Lang, during the Avengers: Disassembled event, is seemingly killed by an explosion seemingly set off by Jack of Hearts, which destroys the Avengers Mansion.

Nathaniel Richards, destined to become Kang the Conqueror is given a suit of armor (by Kang from the future, of course) and decides to deny his fate by donning the suit and going back in time to become the young hero, Iron Lad. He forms a team of young heroes with Hulkling (Teddy Altman, a shapeshifter with super strength), Patriot (Eli Bradley, grandson of Super-Soldier Isaiah Bradley) and Wiccan (Billy Kaplan, wielder of magics). They quickly encounter and add to their roster more young would-be heroes: Kate Bishop, a young adventurer who inducted herself into the group without any known powers and saves their bacon from a botched rescue (Captain America will later bless her use of the "Hawkeye" moniker due to her ability with bow and arrow). Cassie Lang (daughter of Scott Lang, Ant-Man II, who learns that her lifetime exposure to Pym Particles has enabled her to change size at will) who becomes Stature. The Vision - re-formed from the then-recovering Vision's programming and Iron Lad's technology. And Tommy Shepherd (Speed) - whom the group find through the Vision and release from power-dampening captivity. The group, upon liberating Tommy, immediately note that he and Billy are identical twins, save for their hair color. This group will become known as The Young Avengers.

The "New" Avengers whose roster includes Luke Cage, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman (Veranke) is formed in the wake of Avengers: Disassembled. Later, Wolverine and Sentry will be added as members, as well as the deaf ninja Echo, as Ronin.

The "House of M" event is the result of the Scarlet Witch's (Wanda Maximoff's) escalating powers. Previously held in check by Professor Xavier's psychic blocks, he recognizes the potential threat she poses to the world at large. Perhaps sensing the impending doom, Wanda reinvents reality in a fashion that results in the world being run by Magneto and other mutants in The House of M. A warped reality bent by Magneto's overbearing desire to "fix" the world for mutantkind and Wanda's desire to have a "normal" life with her ersatz children (Thomas and William) intact, she eventually realizes that she has to put things right. She restructures the world once again - but not exactly the way it was. Some who were dead are now alive, some who had powers do not any longer - in particular, after she has uttered "NO MORE MUTANTS", the millions of mutants have become mostly human, with a few hundred mutants left on earth.

After over 40 years of being the only character in Marvel continuity to have remained dead after being pronounced so (to the extent that comics fans made the distinction between being "dead" and being "Bucky-dead"), the character is revived as "The Winter Soldier".

Subsequently, the greatest leaders of the Marvel Universe clandestinely gather together, revealing a rather fascistic motivation to previously heroic characters, naming themselves "The Illuminati". 

In further attempts at event storytelling - such as "Secret Invasion" and "Civil War" - the results are long stories unable to be republished as a cohesive narrative. Many recent readers, attempting to connect the published Marvel Universe with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, become frustrated with the number of tomes necessary to make sense of these storylines. Most fans, however, understand the vast differences between the two media and take those differences in stride.

Young Avengers Wiccan (Billy Kaplan-Altman) and Speed (Tommy Shepherd) are identical, although seemingly unrelated. In Avengers: The Children's Crusade, they attempt to learn whether or not they are the reincarnated twins of Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch. They encounter Magneto, who seems to wish to assist, as well as the Avengers, who are committed to stopping Wanda's ability to affect reality. Eventually, they do find the Scarlet Witch who - in addition to being found alive, powerless and without her memory - is planning to marry Victor Von Doom. Through a series of events, her powers are returned and Doctor Doom, who attempted to wrest power from Wanda, is defeated. During these events, due to a time travel incident, Scott Lang is saved at the moment of the destruction of the Avengers Mansion and is returned to the present by the Young Avengers and the Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) at the moment she regains her memories.

In 2012, Carol Danvers finally becomes Captain Marvel. Honoring her heritage and past, she dons a costume more reminiscent of the departed Mar-Vell and emerges as Marvel's most powerful super-hero.

In 2013, Marvel shoots for the moon with "Marvel NOW" and, for the umpteenth time, restarts all titles with #1. As with "Heroes Reborn", the concept is abandoned within a year. 

Kamala Khan, a Muslim Pakistani-American teenager from Jersey City, NJ, sneaks out of her home to attend a student party down by the waterfront. On her way back home, Jersey City is blanketed in the Terrigen Mists, exposing Kamala, who is affected and cocooned for transformation. Upon emerging from the cocoon, she finds she has been transformed into a younger version of Carol Danvers when she was Ms. Marvel. Kamala finds that she is able to shape-shift, enlarge either portions of herself or her entire body, as well as healing bullet wounds. She slowly finds ways to control her powers, dons a new costume she designs herself, adopting the name Ms. Marvel (2014).

In a more recent attempt at relevance for their comic books, and a decision to discontinue Marvel's "Ultimate" line of comics (another, separate universe) in 2015, Marvel essentially "blew up" the universe and started over with a new "Secret Wars". The event is well-planned and - while unevenly executed in some titles - finds a way to interest readers. The event resembles DC's "Crisis on Infinite Earths", in that they sought to make a new and more cohesive single universe out of different realities. 

When Steve Rogers is stripped of the Super Soldier serum in his blood, he rapidly ages into his 90-year-old, but very healthy, state. His obvious choice for a successor to the title of Captain America is his former long-time partner and co-headliner of his series for over 100 issues - Sam Wilson.

The Unstoppable Wasp continued the thrust to re-energize the teen hero genre that began with Ms. Marvel. Nadia Van Dyne returned in 2018 highlighting G.I.R.L. (Genius In Action Research Labs), staffed with her newly-found genius girlfriends & mentored by the Original Wasp and Mockingbird. It was a complete delight to see a female-oriented title told with such joy.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and a resurgence of Howard the Duck proved interesting in their goofy-fun factor.

The most recent iteration of The Champions has also been of interest with its approach to the Teen Team genre, teaming Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Nova (Sam Alexander), Totally Awesome Hulk (Amadeus Cho), The Unstoppable Wasp (Nadia Van Dyne); Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green), Viv Vision and other teen heroes.

Other developments have been ongoing over the past 7-8 years. Doctor Strange emerged as a major player with multiple eponymous titles. First brought forth by writer Jason Aaron and artist Chris Bachalo and then chronicled by Mark Waid and Jesus Saiz. These also led to the current spin-off title, Strange Academy, featuring young people who are learning to weild the mystic arts, as well as spawning the recent Strange title, starring Clea, the new Sorcerer Supreme.