Monica Rambeau

 ( African-american Superheroes ) 

Rambeau stayed connected with the Avengers and served as a reservist, sometimes assuming leadership duties in the absence of the current chair. She helped repel an Homo mermanus invasion of the surface world Avengers Annual #18 (1989), Atlantis Attacks and assists in the Acts of Vengeance, which involved a concentrated, multi-villain attack on Earth's superheroes, Avengers Spotlight #27 (December 1989), Avengers Annual #19 (1990) or in the Terminus Factor. Avengers Annual #19 Rambeau led a reserve substitute roster during the team's first United Nations-backed reorganization. Avengers #329–330 (February–March 1991) She took on another leadership role during the and led an Avengers delegation to the Shi'ar Empire to petition for peace. West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #82 (May 1992)

When a group of aliens calling themselves Starblasters tried to push the moon away from Earth, Quasar assembled a team with some of the most powerful heroes of the world, recruiting Rambeau, Carol Danvers, Black Bolt, Hyperion, Ikaris, Darkstar, Vanguard and Perun. During this adventure, her original powers gradually regenerated, fully returning when the alien Stranger accelerates the process. Quasar #55–58

When Genis-Vell became an adventurer, he was known as Captain Marvel like his father before him—which Rambeau resented. After she, Starfox and Genis teamed up to defeat the Controller, Genis tried to concede the Captain Marvel title to Rambeau since he felt she was more worthy of it. Rambeau declined out of respect for the Mar-Vell legacy and adopted the new alias Photon. Avengers Unplugged #5 (June 1996)

Later when Photon was attacked by the Wrecking Crew in the Mardi Gras of New Orleans, she asked the Avengers for help and wound up being involved in an adventure in Arkon's world with the group and her old fellow Avenger, Black Knight. Avengers (vol. 3) #16–18

For a time, Rambeau's mother intercepted her Avengers calls out of fear for her daughter's safety. After discovering this deception, Rambeau led an unofficial force of Avengers against the 'Infinites', who planned on relocating the galaxy. Avengers Infinity #1–4 (September–December 2000) Next, Photon was involved in the events of Maximum Security, Avengers (vol. 3) #35 and fought with her former teammates against Bloodwraith, and Lord Templar and Pagan. Avengers (vol. 3) #36–37

After that, Rambeau helped the team in the deep-space monitoring station with Quasar and Living Lightning, Avengers (vol. 3) #38 called into action in Kang Dynasty, Avengers (vol. 3) #46–55 (supporting also her friend Janet van Dyne and advising the new recruit Delroy Garrett on his current issues as the newest member of the team), Avengers Annual 2001 in the world crisis caused by Zodiac, Avengers (vol. 3) #58–59 and when the Scarlet Witch suffered a nervous breakdown and attacked the Avengers. Avengers #501–503 (October–December 2004)

Rambeau later led the Nextwave team, part of Highest Anti-Terrorism Effort (H.A.T.E.), against Unusual Weapons of Mass Destruction created by the Beyond Corporation Nextwave #1 (March 2006) where she avoided using a code name and wore a new uniform.

During the Superhero Civil War, Rambeau was a member of Captain America's Secret Avengers, but also registered as a member of the Initiative.

When Brother Voodoo asked for Rambeau's help in tracking down some evil sorcerers, she revealed a former relationship with Brother Voodoo to Black Cat, Patsy Walker, and Firestar. Despite her breaking it off, Voodoo still had feelings for Rambeau. She agreed to aid him, rekindling their relationship in the process. Marvel Divas #1–4

She later attended Emma Frost's birthday party in Las Vegas where she helped solve a cosmic crisis involving Frankie Raye. Heralds #1–5

The group continued to meet partly over their support of Firestar, who had recovered from breast cancer. Young Allies #1–6 (2010) She assisted Carol Danvers, in an investigation in the Gulf of Mexico, where Rambeau indicated that she was still fearful of using her powers under the water since her traumatic experience in battle against Marrina Smallwood, and aided Iron Man in the Avengers' deep-space monitoring station against ancient Viking monsters who claimed to be the Emperor of Mars. Journey Into Mystery #649 (April 2013)

Monica became field leader of Luke Cage's new Mighty Avengers team in the wake of the event. Mighty Avengers (vol. 2) #4

During the "Last Days" part of the Secret Wars storyline, Spectrum devised a plan to destroy Earth-1610 to keep it from colliding with Earth-616. In desperation during the two weeks before the end of the world, Spectrum channeled her full power and went to destroy Earth-1610. Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #8 However, right before she could successfully destroy the other Earth, she spotted a group of children who lived there, causing her to hesitate for only a moment, long enough for Ultimate Reed Richards to capture her. Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #9

In the aftermath of the "Devil's Reign" storyline, Spectrum assists the newly elected Mayor Luke Cage in taking down a Thunderbolts unit led by Crossbones. Afterwards, public relations specialist Helen Astrantia wanted Spectrum to lead the re-branded Thunderbolts. She turns down the suggestion and flies off. Devil's Reign: Omega #1. Marvel Comics.

She is invisible and intangible in many of her energy forms (the most frequent exception being visible light), and is capable of flight in all her energy forms (reaching velocities up to and including light speed). She also has the ability to project these energies from her body while she is in human form (only one wavelength of energy at a time), usually in the form of energy blasts from her hands. She mentally controls both the type and quantity of energy she wishes to transmit. The maximum amount of energy she can transmit at a given time is unknown. Rambeau can also divert small amounts of various energies for employment as force beams, which have the equivalent to 300 tons of TNT of explosive force. A variation of this ability enables her to project light-based Holography of herself. Rambeau has also shown the ability to split her energy form into several miniature energy forms that are under her mental command, each miniature Rambeau is able to react and fly at light-speed.

When she encounters a new or unfamiliar energy, Rambeau can often duplicate it given enough time for analysis. Avengers/JLA #2. Marvel Comics. Rambeau tends to be physically insubstantial in her energy forms, though with concentration and effort she can sometimes perform tasks such as briefly grasping an object, either by partially solidifying or by applying some sort of force to the object in question.

She is immortal and does not age beyond her prime. Avengers: No Road Home #1. Marvel Comics.

When Rambeau temporarily lost her original powers after a massive energy expenditure, she developed the ability to shunt any mechanical energy directed towards her through a dimensional interface surrounding her body, granting her increased strength, resistance to impact, and the ability to fly. After Rambeau asked Mister Fantastic to examine these new abilities, he theorized that she accessed the same dimension from which she derived her energy powers to create the interface. Captain Marvel (vol. 3) #1 (November 1989). Marvel Comics.

Rambeau has strong leadership skills and law enforcement experience due to both of her time as a police officer and former leader of the Avengers. She is an excellent markswoman, unarmed combatant, detective, and swimmer with extensive nautical expertise. She has received Harbor Patrol training, and Avengers training in unarmed combat by Captain America.

Keith Reid-Cleveland of The Daily Dot ranked Monica Rambeau 9th in their "12 Black Marvel Characters Everyone Should Know" list, stating, "There have been many Captain Marvels over the years, and they've all been highly capable at doing whatever they put their minds too. Monica Rambeau is no exception." Rob Bricken of Gizmodo ranked Monica Rambeau 10th in their "Every Member Of The Avengers, Ranked" list, saying, "She quickly proved herself among Earth's Mightiest Heroes." George Marston of Newsarama ranked Monica Rambeau 16th in their "Best Female Superheroes" list. The A.V. Club ranked Monica Rambeau 95th in their "100 Best Marvel Characters" list.

Screen Rant included Monica Rambeau in their "10 Best Marvel Characters Who Made Their Debut In Spider-Man Comics" list. Comic Book Resources ranked Monica Rambeau 4th in their "10 Best Marvel Legacy Heroes" list, 4th in their "All The Captain Marvels" list, 8th in their "Avengers' Greatest Leaders" list, and 10th in their "10 Most Wholesome Avengers" list.

Megan Loucks of Comic Book Resources called Monica Rambeau: Photon #1 a "perfect example of respecting the past and embracing the future," writing, "Overall, Monica Rambeau: Photon #1 is a great beginning of a new journey for the former Avenger that sets up something special for new and old fans of Monica. Ewing does an excellent job of respecting the character's past while making room for her to grow. With a creative team that hit it out of the park, this limited series is a relatable story of self-discovery. This limited series has something for everyone." Spencer Perry of ComicBook.com gave Monica Rambeau: Photon #1 a grade of 3.5 out of 5, saying, "Eve Ewing's new run on Monica Rambeau reminds readers, or perhaps confirms to new ones, why this character can be so compelling, even if there's more than the necessary amount of cameos. Ewing's work on the series is already character-driven with enough of a plot tease for what's to come that this first issue doesn't feel like a total exposition dump. Artists Luca Maresca and Ivan Fiorelli are credited with pencils which seem largely to fit the Marvel house style, nothing too exciting and largely similar in nature to every other regular book from the publisher. They do have a handful of moments with unique panel layouts however, including in the final page, which they should lean into more."

• Monica Rambeau / Spectrum appears as a playable character in .
• Monica Rambeau / Spectrum appears in Marvel Snap.

• Captain Marvel a.k.a. Photon (1982) at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Archived from the original on April 9, 2012.