| Phyla-Vell | |
|---|---|
 Phyla-Vell as Martyr. Art by Paul Renaud. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain Marvel vol. 5 #16 (November 2003) |
| Created by | Peter David (writer) Paul Azaceta (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Phyla-Vell |
| Species | Titanian/Kree Hybrid |
| Team affiliations | Guardians of the Galaxy United Front |
| Notable aliases | Quasar Captain Marvel Martyr |
| Abilities |
|
Phyla-Vell is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created byPeter David and Paul Azaceta, the character first appeared inCaptain Marvel vol. 5 #16 (November 2003).[1][2] Phyla-Vell is the daughter of superheroMar-Vell and the sister ofGenis-Vell.[3] The character has also been known asQuasar,Captain Marvel, andMartyr at various points in her history.[4]
A reimagined version of the character appears in theMarvel Cinematic Universe filmGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, portrayed byKai Zen.
Phyla-Vell first appeared inCaptain Marvel vol. 5 #16 and was created by writerPeter David and artist Paul Azaceta.[5] She is introduced as Phyla-Vell and is the daughter ofElysius, the genetically engineered woman beloved by the lateMar-Vell. WhenGenis-Vell went mad and destroyed and recreated the world, he created a new universe where everything was mostly the same but for some subtle differences. She was the second child created by Elysius, who also created Genis-Vell, and for a time, Phyla wore the name Captain Marvel.[6][7]
The character appeared asQuasar after the previousQuasar died, inAnnihilation: Conquest, featuring in her own, self-titled mini-series written byChristos Gage.[6] Leading on from this appearance she was part of the line-up for the 2008Guardians of the Galaxy team.[8]
She made a deal to save the life of her partnerMoondragon; in exchange she became the Avatar of Oblivion, and she started calling herself Martyr. She remained part of the Guardians of the Galaxy team until her death.[7]
Phyla-Vell and Genis-Vell's names are derived fromphylum andgenus, two of the levels of organization (taxa) for classifying life.
AfterGenis-Vell, then known as Captain Marvel, previously destroyed and recreated the universe, the "new" version was subtly altered with Phyla-Vell's existence being one of the changes. It is revealed that she is the second artificially created offspring of Mar-Vell who was created by her motherElysius in the "new" universe because her first attempt (Genis-Vell) had been so successful. Initially, her origin conflicted with previously established storylines, but this is resolved inCaptain Marvel vol. 5 #18 (Feb. 2004).
She fights her brother Genis-Vell, who was insane at the time,[9] in the process helping to restore his sanity. She then tries to lay claim to the "Captain Marvel" title, though her brother refuses to give it up.[10] Phyla is next seen at the trial ofStarfox.[11]
TheCaptain Marvel (vol. 5) series heavily hinted that Phyla-Vell is alesbian, and in #25 (September 2004) the character admits that she is attracted toMoondragon and invites her on a tour of the "spiral nebula near Renault VII". Before Moondragon can accept, the two wander through a portal.[12]
Phyla later appeared duringAnnihilation, where she had been visiting her father's grave with Moondragon when the pair were attacked byThanos who ripped off Moondragon's ear and gave it to Phyla, telling her to go toDrax the Destroyer and how his actions would determine Moondragon's fate shortly before teleporting away with Moondragon. Drax has indicated he will not be stopping his pursuit of Thanos.[13]
Phyla then goes withNova andStar-Lord to lead a final battle againstAnnihilus, being saved at the last second by a massive energy wave caused by the just freedGalactus, which left only the three heroes and Annihilus as survivors. Ultimately in the battle, Phyla manages to steal thequantum bands that Annihilus took fromQuasar, weakening him and allowing Nova to finally bring an end to the Annihilation Wave. She is then seen re-united with Moondragon, and deciding it's up to her to become the new Quasar.[14]
Phyla had her own mini-series as the new Quasar, stating July through October 2007, calledAnnihilation: Conquest – Quasar. The series was written byChristos Gage and penciled byMike Lilly. Phyla is finding it hard to follow the footsteps of the former Quasar and also to follow in the Vell family's footsteps. Phylla and her lover Moondragon follow a voice to find the saviour for theKree race who is attacked by thePhalanx. In the end it turns out 'the voice' is theSupreme Intelligence of the Kree; thanks to the Supreme Intelligence they find a cocoon, in whichAdam Warlock is restoring. The cocoon breaks open and Phyla and Moondragon ask Warlock to help them fight against the Phalanx. This story was continued in the main mini-seriesAnnihilation: Conquest.[15]
Following Annihilation, she joins the new Guardians of the Galaxy.[16] While helpingDrax search forCammi, an Earth girl who he had taken into space before the Annihilation War, they consult a psychic to get a lead on Cammi's whereabouts only to be informed that Moondragon was trying to contact them.[17] They attempt to consultMentor, who apparently kills them.[18] Mentor sends Phyla and Drax to Oblivion where they encounterMaelstrom and theDragon of the Moon. After losing the Quantum Bands to Maelstrom Phyla is offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon so that Maelstrom can be in its good graces. While inside the dragon she apparently makes a deal in exchange for Heather Douglas. The dragon then releases them, with Phyla wearing a new red and black costume adorned with skulls and wielding a new sword, and they return to the world of the living where Phyla refuses to elaborate on the deal that she made with the Dragon. It is later learned from Maelstrom that she agreed to become the new avatar of Oblivion.[19]
Now calling herself Martyr, Phyla-Vell is a more abrasive and aggressive figure. When the Guardians attempted to negotiate with the Inhumans to stop the War of Kings, she ruined the attempt by takingCrystal hostage instead; this led to battle between the Inhumans and Guardians, while she continued to escalate.[20] Eventually, the Inhumans would try to end the war by detonating a weapon that shattered space itself, creating a multiversal Fault.[21]
WhenAdam Warlock stopped the Fault's growth by using a redundant timeline, one where he became the villainousMagus, Phyla-Vell revealed that her deal with Oblivion was to kill "the Avatar of Life" and she'd know what to do when the time came. Knowing he would now become Magus, she ran Adam through but this failed to stop his transformation. Several of the Guardians, then stranded in the year 3009, were then sent back in time to stop Magus' creation and Phyla was prevented from making her move. This time when Warlock was transformed, she engaged him in combat - but Magus magically teleported her own sword from her hands and killed her with it.[22]
Phyla is later revealed to still be alive, but trapped in suspended animation by Magus.[23] She escapes and frees the other Guardians, but is tricked into freeingThanos, who kills her.[24]
Phyla-Vell has superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability, and reflexes.[2][25] She can fire energy blasts and fly.[2] She also acts like an "energy sponge,"[2] absorbing any energy attacks directed at her and returning them as energy blasts. She has cosmic awareness and is a proficient fighter.[26]
She then came into possession of thequantum bands formerly owned byWendell Vaughn. The Bands grant vast energy manipulation powers, such as absorbing and transforming energy on a stellar level, forming solid energy constructs and forcefields, allowing for space travel and providing protection from telepathic attacks.
While searching for Heather Douglas, Phyla lost the Quantum Bands to the villain Maelstrom. She has gained unknown new powers by becoming the new avatar of Oblivion. However, Wendell has stated that her Quantum Sword will still draw power from the Quantum Bands and that they will always be a part of her.[27]
Deirdre Kaye ofScary Mommy called Phyla-Vell a "role model" and "truly heroic."[28] Jamie Lovett ofComicBook.com included Phyla-Vell in their "5 Awesome Guardians Of The Galaxy Who Aren't In The Marvel Cinematic Universe " list.[29] Joe Garza ofSlashFilm included Phyla-Vell in their "10 Guardians Of The Galaxy Comic Characters We Want To See In The MCU" list.[30] Blair Marnell ofIGN included Phyla-Vell in their "7 Characters Who Should Join Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" list.[31]Screen Rant included Phyla-Vell in their "15 Most Powerful Versions Of Captain Marvel From The Comics" list,[32] in their "10 Best Members Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy Still Missing From The MCU" list,[33] and in their "12 Characters We Want To See In 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Sequels" list,[34] and ranked her 6th in their "10 LGBTQA Characters Who Should Be Introduced To The MCU" list,[35] and 8th in their "15 Most Powerful Guardians Of The Galaxy Members In The Comics" list.[36]
Autostraddle ranked Phyla-Vell 2nd in their "11 Female Superheroes I Wish Marvel Would Make Movies About" list,[37] and 6th in their "7 LGBT Women Who Need to Appear in the MCU Immediately" list.[38]CBR.com ranked Phyla-Vell 4th in their "25 Most Powerful Guardians Of The Galaxy" list,[39] 5th in their "The Kree: The 10 Most Powerful Members Of The Race" list,[40] 6th in their "All The Captain Marvels" list,[41] 7th in their "Marvel's 20 Most Powerful Cosmic Heroes" list,[42] 8th in their "20 Powerful Female Marvel Characters We Hope To See In The MCU's Phase Four" list,[43] 9th in their "Every Captain Marvel Ever" list.[44] and 13th in their "25 Fastest Characters In The Marvel Universe" list.[45] Marc Buxton ofDen of Geek ranked Phyla-Vell 15th in their "Guardians of the Galaxy 3: 50 Marvel Characters We Want to See" list.[46]
An alternate universe variant of Phyla-Vell from an unidentified universe makes a minor appearance inInfinity Countdown #4.[47]
A young Phyla-Vell appears inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, portrayed byKai Zen. This version is a "Star Child" who was genetically engineered by theHigh Evolutionary before she and his other experiments are freed by theGuardians of the Galaxy, which she later joins.
| Title | Material collected | Published date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annihilation: Conquest - Quasar | Annihilation: Conquest - Quasar #1-4 | January 2008 | 978-0785127185 |
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