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Moonstone (comics)
Encyclopedia
Moonstone is a fictional character
, both a supervillain
and superhero
ine in Marvel Comics
' Marvel Universe
.
of the villain Dr. Faustus
in Captain America
(vol. 1) #192. She later appeared in issue #228 of The Incredible Hulk
where it was revealed that she was the psychiatrist of the former Moonstone Lloyd Bloch and had tricked him into relinquishing the moonstone to her. She was later revealed as a member of the shadowy organization known as the Corporation.
She appeared in Avengers
as part of the supervillain team the Masters of Evil
. During the disappearance of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four
(after the Onslaught
crossover), the Masters of Evil, Moonstone (as "Meteorite") included, posed as the Thunderbolts
. After 12 issues, their identities were revealed.
Moonstone was one of the Thunderbolts' characters that Brian Michael Bendis
moved over to the Dark Avengers
, where she takes on the identity of Ms. Marvel
and she becomes the main character in the Ms. Marvel solo title in issue #38.
Moonstone returned to the Thunderbolts in issue #144, after the Dark Reign
era. She is now part of a government program led by Luke Cage
to reform villains. Joining her will be Juggernaut
, Ghost
, Crossbones
, Man-Thing
, and Luke Cage.
. Learning of the original Moonstone (Lloyd Bloch
) she became his psychologist and manipulated him into rejecting the source of his powers, an extraterrestrial gem of considerable power, which she then acquired and absorbed to gain the powers of Moonstone. She then battled the Hulk
.
It has been revealed that shortly before becoming a Thunderbolt, Karla murdered her mother Marion Sofen by suffocating her and then set her house on fire.
Ms. Marvel #38 revealed that during Sofen's career as a psychologist, she convinced depressed patients to kill themselves while she watched.
, controlling the Hulk
and manipulating General Thunderbolt Ross
into a nervous breakdown. She battled Captain America
, Falcon
, Hulk, and Quasar
on behalf of the Corporation. She continued to pursue greater power, stealing Curt Connors
' Enervator and searching the moon's surface for further moonstone fragments, but wound up fighting Spider-Man
.
Egghead
recruited her for the third Masters of Evil
and she fought the Avengers
. However, her tenure was short-lived as she surrendered after the Masters' defeat. It wasn't long before she broke out of confinement at Project: Pegasus
with Blackout, Rhino
and Electro, battling the Avengers and escaping into the Darkforce
dimension with Blackout. She traveled to Earth's Moon where she battled Dazzler
and the Inhumans
, and was then returned to Pegasus.
Later, Baron Zemo recruited Moonstone for the fourth Masters of Evil. She participated in the Masters' takeover of Avengers Mansion
. She battled Captain Marvel
and became paralyzed for a time. She then had a rematch with Captain Marvel. Moonstone later battled Volcana
. She was kidnapped by the original Moonstone, now calling himself Nefarius
. She defeated Nefarius, but was recaptured. Eventually, she decided to serve out her prison term and give up her criminal life.
and she reluctantly returned to villainy as Meteorite, a member of the Thunderbolts
.
Upon encountering a young victim of Arnim Zola
's genetic manipulations, a youngster by the name of Jolt
, Meteorite nudged Zemo into accepting her in the team. She soon became a mother figure to Jolt and used her enthusiasm to create a power-base inside the team, rallying the others behind her. Zemo exposed the true nature of the team, but Moonstone opposed him, followed by MACH-1, Songbird
and Jolt. Zemo had brainwashed the Fantastic Four
and the Avengers
, but the small team of Thunderbolts, with the help of Iron Man
, was able to defeat Zemo and Techno, his ally. After the battle the Thunderbolts had decided to pay for their crimes, but they were unwittingly teleported to an alternate dimension.
In this world, known as Kosmos, Moonstone led the team to safety from the Kosmosian army and eventually executed the Kosmosian Primotur to ensure their return to Earth. Inspired by Jolt, she made the Thunderbolts see that it would be preferable to work for their redemption as heroes, rather than to be in jail. After gaining fake identities for the team, she led them away from S.H.I.E.L.D.
and the Lightning Rods, and she managed to defeat Graviton
using her psychological skills, making him see that he did not truly have a goal, that he lacked vision. However, the Thunderbolts disagreed with her, for she merely thought of the present and did not care for the future consequences of her actions. When the former Avenger known as Hawkeye joined the team, claiming they would be pardoned if they followed him, she stepped down as leader and allowed him to get the position.
Graviton returned weeks later, having pondered Karla's words. He took over the city of San Francisco, turning it into an island in the skies. The Thunderbolts attempted to stop him, but they were captured. Graviton offered Moonstone a place at his side, as his queen, but she laughed in his face. As the youngest members of the team saved them, Moonstone wondered why she didn't take Graviton's offer.
During a mission against the Secret Empire
, she became romantically involved with Hawkeye. In Thunderbolts #30, Hawkeye invited Moonstone and Songbird to come train with him. Songbird refused, Karla accepted. During the fight, Hawkeye praises Karla for being a woman in athletic condition. Moonstone however turns the tables and compliments Clint on the fact that he trains four hours a day to maintain peak human physical performance. During the fight Moonstone gains the upper-hand, Karla acknowledges to herself that she originally wanted to seduce Clint Barton to gain leverage on the Thunderbolts team. Using her powers of psychological deduction, she picked up on Clint's attraction towards her, and then Karla admits she is attracted to him as well. At the end of the issue, Karla uses the powers of the Moonstone to slowly undress herself as she and Clint begin to kiss. Songbird then walks in on their moment of intimacy.
But as time went by, she became haunted by nightmares of an ancient Kree
warrior woman, who whispered in her thoughts. Soon after, the team was targeted by Scourge, who killed Jolt. The death of the youngster hit Karla deeply. Subsequently, Citizen V asked for help against her own team, the V-Battalion, and the Thunderbolts agreed to do so, engaging the V-Battalion's operatives in battle. Karla was torn about fighting them, for they were heroes. She released a surge of her powers to stop the fight, making them all intangible, and fled, trying to find out what was wrong with her. Her first stop was Attilan
, but the Inhumans were gone. She then searched the Fantastic Four's computers and found the answer she was looking for.
She flew under her own power to the Blue Area of the Moon, where she sought the Kree Supreme Intelligence and demanded the truth. The Supreme Intelligence revealed to her that the fragment she referred to as the "moonstone" was part of a Kree Lifestone, which was used to empower the Guardians of the Galaxy
centuries ago. Ajes'ha the Kree warrior woman that haunted her dreams was the previous owner of the moonstone, whose memory was etched into it, and kept steering Karla into the path of heroism. The Thunderbolts managed to catch up with her, and so did Captain Marvel
, who offered her help. Led by Captain Marvel, the Thunderbolts went to Titan, where Mentor
and ISAAC
attempted to remove the moonstone from Karla's body. After a serious discussion about Karla's potential to do good, Mentor allowed her to keep the gem but erased the memory of the previous owner, leaving Karla's mind, and by consequence, her decisions, to herself.
, who was being manipulated by Henry Peter Gyrich
. The Thunderbolts fought the V-Battalion's Redeemers but eventually teamed up with them to defeat Gyrich, who was being manipulated as well. Valerie Cooper
offered the Thunderbolts pardon for saving the world from her own people, with the condition that they would hang up their heroic identities forever.
Karla Sofen was soon contacted by Graviton, who hired her as a tutor. In the following weeks Karla helped Graviton understand and control his powers in ways he had not even dreamed, making him fall in love with her. Graviton soon attacked the Redeemers, slaughtering the team. He also managed to keep many of Earth's heroes unmoving in the sky, as he lifted hundreds of cities all over the world as well, for he wanted to reshape the face of Earth into a semblance of his face. The Thunderbolts re-formed to stop him, only to find Karla at his side. In the end, she hesitated fighting them and helped them stop Graviton. However, his power imploded, sending most of the Thunderbolts to Counter-Earth
.
While trapped on Counter-Earth, the Thunderbolts became true heroes at last, rescuing thousands in their flying city, Attilan. Karla was given the task of reshaping the minds of the world's leaders, creating a new way of thought to ensure the survival of all. Soon after, Karla removed a second moonstone from that world's Lloyd Bloch (known there as the Phantom Eagle), dramatically increasing her own powers. The Thunderbolts eventually returned to Earth, leaving Jolt and the Young Allies to complete their task of saving Counter-Earth.
Since then, Zemo occasionally used her link to the moonstones to puppeteer her, but her mind remained shut down.
brought her body to their facility, where she and Songbird became mentally linked through the moonstones' power. Karla came out of her coma, and now has the moonstones in her possession again.
Moonstone next became the field leader of the revamped Thunderbolts, sponsored by the government. The Director of this team, the semi-insane Norman Osborn
, eventually turned to blackmail to force her to join, threatening that he would remove her moonstone and put her in a coma if she refused. Moonstone is seen as a ruthless if less-than-capable leader of the Thunderbolts- Songbird describing her as someone who simply tells people what to do rather than coordinating them as a group-; on one of their first missions (capturing the renegade Jack Flag
), she preferred to have the mission finish early so that she could have sex with one of the government agents, a point stressed by Songbird at their next briefing. She is fully behind the Thunderbolts' new role and that they must rely on public approval to stay employed, but clashes with her teammate Songbird
and her employer, Osborn. She revealed that she had been influencing S.H.I.E.L.D.
agents to give Norman Osborn placebo
s rather than his usual medication, and also that when Osborn was gone she planned to 'accidentally' kill Songbird in the field and take over as leader. She is shot through the wrist by a crossbow bolt by American Eagle, pinning her to their jet and tearing some of her wrist away. Blinded by rage, she subsequently orders Bullseye
to cripple the Eagle, who instead cripples Bullseye.
The Thunderbolts encountered Nova
, who had just returned to Earth after Annihilation
and had a tangle with Diamondhead
. Moonstone advised her team not to underestimate his high power level, which they did, when Nova singlehandedly held his own against the Thunderbolts and even survived Penance's hyperkinetic shockwave. Iron Man and SHIELD arrived just in time to defuse the situation before federal and galactic authority could conflict any further.
When the psychic supervillains, Mind-Wave, Caprice, Bluestreak and Mirage, are imprisoned in the Thunderbolt's base, they use their powers to alter the Thunderbolts' minds. They force Moonstone to attack Doc Samson and Penance. Penance manages to repel her with a powerful energy blast. It is later mentioned that Moonstone survived, but her body needs a fortnight to stabilize before she can be submitted to nanosurgery.
origin, and uses his energy-controlling abilities to shut it down. When the Thunderbolts attack and board a Skrull ship, Swordsman confronts a group of them with his newly-returned sister. Moonstone painfully immobilizes the Swordsman, and suggests an alliance to the Skrulls and Andrea. Andrea turns out not to be a Skrull, however, and attacks Moonstone, although Bullseye kills Andrea from behind. He tries to kill Moonstone as well, although she becomes intangible, and she threatens him in order to keep him in line.
Later, Bullseye tries to kill Songbird under Osborn's orders. Songbird manages to get into the Zeus aircraft, and blows up part of the Thunderbolts' mountain headquarters. Moonstone survives because Bullseye had warned her to go intangible, and walks away saying "to Hell with this team."
Norman Osborn approaches Moonstone while she is meditating and offers her a spot on the Dark Avengers
. She is given the codename of Ms. Marvel
as well as her original costume (reclaimed from Ultra Girl
) after the real Ms. Marvel
(Carol Danvers) refuses to follow Osborn. The costume is also scratched heavily by Tigra
causing an embarrassing exposure in front of the press. On the Dark Avenger's first mission, the new Ms. Marvel is seen attacking Morgana le Fay
by blasting her off her dragon causing her to die in the present. After defeating Morgana, Moonstone flirts with Noh-Varr
and then eventually seduces and sleeps with him. While watching a televised interview that Norman Osborn is conducting, Karla tells Noh-Varr that the Dark Avengers are all criminals. This prompts Noh-Varr to leave the group.
As Karla takes on the mantle of Ms. Marvel, she goes out patrolling and comes across some men robbing an armored car. After killing the men, Karla goes back to the Avengers Tower where Osborn informs her the Dark Avengers all have to undergo psychiatric evaluations and he wants her to go first, wanting her professional opinion of Dr. Gerald Wright's skills. After going through some of Karla's memories psychically, Dr. Wright reveals the memories of her mother's death are locked behind a "Hulk shaped door" and he came to kill the Dark Avengers because they are all made up of criminals and makes Karla start to choke herself to death. As Karla is choking herself, she tricks him by getting him to go back into her head where she reveals she killed her mother and hated being seen as a criminal and a failure. After Karla breaks free, she asks him if he is prepared to do what she did and shoots his right arm off leaving him begging for mercy. Off panel it appears she chokes him to death. Fuming, Karla then storms off past Osborn.
After being told by Norman Osborn to find A.I.M., Karla sorts through the original Ms. Marvel's A.I.M. leads and takes out an A.I.M. cell in Atlanta, Georgia. There she finds baby M.O.D.O.C.'s, enhanced to warp reality. They communicate with her telepathically, telling her that they need Ms. Marvel to save them. It is unclear if they are controlling her, or if she genuinely cares about them, but Karla takes them back to her room in the Avengers Tower for safe keeping. Almost immediately her room is blown apart by a strange yellow being, provoking Karla's rage. With the aid of Venom, Noh-Varr and Iron Patriot, Karla manages to defeat the mysterious being and after a meeting with the Dark Avengers, the babies are moved to Thunderbolt's Mountain where they are stolen by Deadpool on behalf of A.I.M.
Later while flying through the city, Karla comes across a green version of Ms Marvel's lightning bolt on the side of a building. Karla goes back to the Avengers Tower where Osborn informs her Deadpool stole the baby M.O.D.O.C.'s. Karla goes to confront him in Los Angeles. After defeating him, Karla comes across the New Avengers and four of the mysterious beings, each one a different color in an underground A.I.M. base. Trying to save the babies, Karla is too late to reach them as Spider-Man
hooks them up to a machine. The four mysterious beings then merge and reform Carol Danvers, the original Ms Marvel. Refusing to let her title be taken away, Karla attempts to pound Danvers, but strangely, no matter what she hits her with, Danvers survived each and every blow. Eventually, it is discovered that Danvers has a counterpart named Catherine Donovan, who, in close proximity, allows Danvers to be invulnerable. Donovan is subsequently killed by Osborn and is revealed to be a creation of the Storyteller whose persona then habits Karla's body as she is fighting Carol Danvers. While trapped in her own body, Sofen is forced to confront her own identity and retakes the mantle of Moonstone. As Moonstone, Sofen is able to expel Donovan's consciousness which merges with Danvers upon exit thus making Ms. Marvel whole again. However, during their battle, Carol uses her powers to remove the moonstone from Sofen, depowering her in the process. She tells Sofen that she learned a great deal about her while in her mind and offers her a chance at redemption. Knowing she will die in 72 hours without the moonstone's support, Carol hides it at the gravesite of Sofen's mother and gives her the opportunity to reexamine her life and stand against Osborn. Sofen finds the moonstone at her mother's grave, in a fury she smashes the headstone marking it and leaves.
Karla is sent out by Osborn to help quell the riots in San Francisco along with the other Dark Avengers and H.A.M.M.E.R. Outside the Castro Theatre, she takes out Nekra
and Frenzy
much to the surprise of Karma
, Armor
, and Bling
. Later she comes into conflict with Rogue
, accusing her of attacking an unconscious H.A.M.M.E.R. agent and viciously attacks her, though Rogue manages to trick her and escape. Karla is later informed of Trance
's situation by H.A.M.M.E.R. agents and goes to confront her. After taking out Gambit and Danger, she gets into another fight with Rogue. Trance pulls herself together and attacks Karla. Under Rogue's orders, Trance and Gambit manage to successfully take down Karla before teleporting off with Pixie. During the final fight on Utopia, Karla takes on Nekra, Frenzy and Bling. She comes to Osborn's side telling him if they want to win, they'll have to kill them all but the whole world is watching and if they kill one, they'll have to kill them all and nobody comes back from committing genocide live on TV.
Molecule Man
turns Moonstone into pure energy, then undoes this at the demand of the Sentry
.
Moonstone in her Ms. Marvel guise joins the Dark Avengers in a battle with the Mighty Avengers at the time when the Absorbing Man has harnessed the powers of the Cosmic Cube.
In Dark Avengers #10, Moonstone is flirting with Bullseye
stating that she thinks 'Bullseye' is a creep, but finds him attractive as Hawkeye. Karla is caught having sex with Bullseye in the Avengers Tower meeting room in front of H.A.M.M.E.R agents as Victoria Hand and Norman Osborn watch on a security camera. This act is perceived as an act of rebellion from Karla against Norman Osborn's rule over the Dark Avengers. Norman sends Victoria Hand to deal with the situation. Hand confronts Moonstone and Bullseye with a group of H.A.M.M.E.R agents. Moonstone disobeys Hand's orders, which prompts Hand to take out an alien weapon to shoot Moonstone, knocking her unconscious.
She is part of the team when they go look for Noh-Varr
in Manhattan, after Sentry found him.
Prior to the attack on Asgard, Moonstone is approached by Mac Gargan who tells Karla that he has been waking up 'sticky' after dreams and was wondering if she could help him. At first she looks disgusted at Gargan's attempts to approach her. While this is happening, Daken
walks up to her and calls her 'sweetheart'. Karla wraps her arm around Gargan's arm and spurns Daken in the process.
During the siege of Asgard, Moonstone is seen helping Osborn defeat Thor. She is seen being chased away from the scene by Maria Hill
. Moonstone turns intangible to avoid the bullets. Moonstone is one of the on-lookers when Sentry tears Ares in half. Moonstone is standing besides Norman Osborn when the New Avengers, Young Avengers
, and Nick Fury
led by Captain America
(Steve Rogers) arrive to assist the Asgardians. Captain America hits Osborn with his shield as Karla retreats back, prompting her to say "Well, I sure as @#$% saw this coming!" Karla engages in personal combat with Ms. Marvel. Karla wins the exchange when Osborn interferes into the fight by blasting Ms. Marvel with an energy beam in the back. When Osborn reverts back to his Green Goblin
persona after being defeated by Captain America and Iron Man
, Karla and Bullseye are seen in the distance. Both of them come to the realization that it would be a good time to leave the battle.
In Siege #4 and Dark Avengers #16, Moonstone, along with the other members of the Dark Avengers, are arrested by the Avengers. After Captain America does away with Norman Osborn, Moonstone and Bullseye take the opportunity to attempt an escape. Carol Danvers gives chase to Moonstone, only to have Karla fire on her with an energy blast. When it seems she has escaped, Iron Man appears and punches her, knocking her out. At the same time, Bullseye is struck down by Luke Cage
, sending the two villains falling unconscious to the ground, thus ending Moonstone's involvement in Dark Reign.
Luke Cage visits the women's section of the Vault, where he recruits Moonstone to once again become a member of the Thunderbolts. Moonstone claims that "It is about time" someone came by to recruit her for the Thunderbolts, and that her "costume should be pressed". Moonstone's recruitment upsets Songbird, but was insisted upon by higher authorities. Following the members being chosen, a test was given to see where loyalties lie among the team. Moonstone was shown to be one of the few who was willing to help out Luke Cage and the rest of the support team. During the missions, Karla passively flirts with Cage, though she is rebuked by him and the rest of the team as trying to manipulate him. She later states that she genuinely respects his heroism.
gravity stone (found on Earth's moon) which is charged with unknown energy and bonded to her nervous system.
She can use the stone to fly, and to become intangible so as to pass through solid objects (while intangible she is immune even to some magic-based attacks). She can project laser
-like energy beams from her hands (able to penetrate steel plate), and has also shown the ability to discharge non-coherent light omni-directionally in a blinding flash. Additionally, her bond with the stone grants her superhuman strength, stamina, speed and reflexes.
During the period when Moonstone had absorbed a second gravity stone, she displayed the ability to control gravitational forces, enabling her to move and otherwise manipulate matter, to create force fields, to increase gravity around a target and crush it, to generate miniature black hole
s, and even to transport objects through dimensional rifts. She no longer possesses the second stone, and is currently at her original power level.
Moonstone is vulnerable to astrally-projected
beings and energy forms even while in her intangible state. It was revealed that Moonstone's gravity stone is also connected to her own life-force. If she is separated from it for more than a period of 72 hours, she would die without its support.
In addition to the powers she wields by virtue of her bond with the gravity stone, Karla Sofen has extensive knowledge of psychology and psychiatry, and has an M.D., specializing in psychiatry. She often uses this expertise to manipulate those around her for personal gain.
in the "Dead Days" one-shot of the Marvel Zombies
mini-series using her alias of Meteorite. She attacks Thor
, pouncing on him but is stunned with a blast of lightning and then destroyed when Thor smashes her head.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, both a supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
and superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
ine in Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
' Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
.
Publication history
The character first appeared as a gun mollGun moll
Gun moll is a term that refers to the female companion of a male professional criminal. In some contexts, gun moll more specifically suggests that the woman handles a firearm....
of the villain Dr. Faustus
Doctor Faustus (comics)
Doctor Faustus is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain.An Austrian by birth, he is most commonly associated with Captain America, first appearing in issue #107 of his first series.-Creative origins:...
in Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
(vol. 1) #192. She later appeared in issue #228 of The Incredible Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
where it was revealed that she was the psychiatrist of the former Moonstone Lloyd Bloch and had tricked him into relinquishing the moonstone to her. She was later revealed as a member of the shadowy organization known as the Corporation.
She appeared in Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
as part of the supervillain team the Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
. During the disappearance of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
(after the Onslaught
Onslaught (comics)
Onslaught is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Man #15 , and was co-created by writers Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, and artist Andy Kubert....
crossover), the Masters of Evil, Moonstone (as "Meteorite") included, posed as the Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
. After 12 issues, their identities were revealed.
Moonstone was one of the Thunderbolts' characters that Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim for his self-published, Image Comics and Marvel Comics work, and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics, with his books selling consistently highly for over a...
moved over to the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
, where she takes on the identity of Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the United States Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and as Ms. Marvel—a...
and she becomes the main character in the Ms. Marvel solo title in issue #38.
Moonstone returned to the Thunderbolts in issue #144, after the Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
era. She is now part of a government program led by Luke Cage
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
to reform villains. Joining her will be Juggernaut
Juggernaut (comics)
The Juggernaut is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #12 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
, Ghost
Ghost (Marvel Comics)
Ghost is a fictional character appearing in comics books set in the . He first appears in Iron Man #219 and was created by David Michelinie and Bob Layton. Originally portrayed as a supervillain, the character is later portrayed as more of an anti-hero or mercenary.-Fictional character...
, Crossbones
Crossbones (comics)
Crossbones is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Kieron Dwyer in Captain America #359-360 . Crossbones usually appears as a henchman of the Red Skull...
, Man-Thing
Man-Thing
The Man-Thing is a fictional character, a monster in publications from Marvel Comics. Created by writers Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Gerry Conway and artist Gray Morrow, the character first appeared in Savage Tales #1 , and went on to be featured in various titles and in his own series, including...
, and Luke Cage.
Origins
Karla Sofen was born in Van Nuys, California. She grew up in the mansion of Hollywood producer Charles Stockbridge, as the child of Karl Sofen (Stockbridge's butler). After her father died, her mother (Marion Sofen) worked three jobs to put her daughter through college, and Karla vowed never to end up like her mother, to never put another's needs before her own. Despite building a successful practice as a psychologist and psychiatrist, Karla so disliked being dependent on her patients for income that she entered the super-criminal world as an aide to Doctor FaustusDoctor Faustus (comics)
Doctor Faustus is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain.An Austrian by birth, he is most commonly associated with Captain America, first appearing in issue #107 of his first series.-Creative origins:...
. Learning of the original Moonstone (Lloyd Bloch
Nefarius
Nefarius , previously known as Moonstone, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #169 and was created by Steve Englehart, Mike Friedrich and Sal Buscema....
) she became his psychologist and manipulated him into rejecting the source of his powers, an extraterrestrial gem of considerable power, which she then acquired and absorbed to gain the powers of Moonstone. She then battled the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
.
It has been revealed that shortly before becoming a Thunderbolt, Karla murdered her mother Marion Sofen by suffocating her and then set her house on fire.
Ms. Marvel #38 revealed that during Sofen's career as a psychologist, she convinced depressed patients to kill themselves while she watched.
Masters of Evil
Karla worked briefly for the CorporationCorporation (comics)
-Publication history:The Corporation first appeared in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #23-24 , and was created by Bill Mantlo and Gil Kane....
, controlling the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
and manipulating General Thunderbolt Ross
Thunderbolt Ross
General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of the Hulk, sometimes as a supervillain. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, ex-father in-law of Glenn Talbot and the father in-law...
into a nervous breakdown. She battled Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, Hulk, and Quasar
Quasar (comics)
Quasar is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the . He is one of Marvel's cosmic heroes, a character whose adventures frequently take him into outer space or other dimensions...
on behalf of the Corporation. She continued to pursue greater power, stealing Curt Connors
Lizard (comics)
The Lizard is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and enemy of Spider-Man. The Lizard first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #6 , and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko...
' Enervator and searching the moon's surface for further moonstone fragments, but wound up fighting Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
.
Egghead
Egghead (comics)
Egghead is the name of two fictional Marvel Comics villains. The original first appeared in Tales to Astonish #38. He is also the arch-nemesis of super-hero Henry Pym. The second first appeared in Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1.-Elihas Starr:...
recruited her for the third Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
and she fought the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
. However, her tenure was short-lived as she surrendered after the Masters' defeat. It wasn't long before she broke out of confinement at Project: Pegasus
Project Pegasus
Project Pegasus is a fictional scientific base in the Marvel Comics universe which has been the location of a variety of stories for superheroes and supervillains, most notably in the title Marvel Two-in-One...
with Blackout, Rhino
Rhino (comics)
The Rhino is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr., the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #41 The Rhino (Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich) is a fictional character that appears in comic...
and Electro, battling the Avengers and escaping into the Darkforce
Darkforce
-Description:It is a powerful, extra-dimensional energy that can be manipulated in slightly different ways by a handful of beings that are attuned to it. There are slight yet inconclusive hints that it may be a corruptive influence of some kind and perhaps even sentient...
dimension with Blackout. She traveled to Earth's Moon where she battled Dazzler
Dazzler
Dazzler is a Marvel Comics superheroine, associated with the X-Men. She first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #130 ....
and the Inhumans
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This race appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe....
, and was then returned to Pegasus.
Later, Baron Zemo recruited Moonstone for the fourth Masters of Evil. She participated in the Masters' takeover of Avengers Mansion
Avengers Mansion
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, Avengers Mansion has traditionally been the base of the Avengers. The enormous, city block-sized building is located at 890 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City.-Creative origin:...
. She battled Captain Marvel
Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Initially known as Captain Marvel, the character became a leader of the Avengers...
and became paralyzed for a time. She then had a rematch with Captain Marvel. Moonstone later battled Volcana
Volcana (Marvel Comics)
Volcana is a fictional character featured in comic books published by Marvel Comics who first appeared in Secret Wars #3 . She was created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck....
. She was kidnapped by the original Moonstone, now calling himself Nefarius
Nefarius
Nefarius , previously known as Moonstone, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #169 and was created by Steve Englehart, Mike Friedrich and Sal Buscema....
. She defeated Nefarius, but was recaptured. Eventually, she decided to serve out her prison term and give up her criminal life.
Thunderbolts
When Zemo formed a group of villains to masquerade as heroes, he broke Moonstone out of the VaultVault (comics)
The Vault is the widely used nickname of a fictional defunct prison facility for technological-based superhuman criminals in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. The prison's full official name is the United States Maximum Security Installation for the Incarceration of Superhuman Criminals.It first...
and she reluctantly returned to villainy as Meteorite, a member of the Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
.
Upon encountering a young victim of Arnim Zola
Arnim Zola
Arnim Zola is a fictional character a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a master of biochemistry, and frequent foe of Captain America and the Avengers.-Publication history:...
's genetic manipulations, a youngster by the name of Jolt
Jolt (comics)
Jolt is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Universe and a member of the Thunderbolts and Young Allies.-Fictional character biography:...
, Meteorite nudged Zemo into accepting her in the team. She soon became a mother figure to Jolt and used her enthusiasm to create a power-base inside the team, rallying the others behind her. Zemo exposed the true nature of the team, but Moonstone opposed him, followed by MACH-1, Songbird
Songbird (comics)
Songbird , formerly known as Screaming Mimi, is a fictional character, a superheroine and former supervillainess in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:...
and Jolt. Zemo had brainwashed the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
and the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
, but the small team of Thunderbolts, with the help of Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, was able to defeat Zemo and Techno, his ally. After the battle the Thunderbolts had decided to pay for their crimes, but they were unwittingly teleported to an alternate dimension.
In this world, known as Kosmos, Moonstone led the team to safety from the Kosmosian army and eventually executed the Kosmosian Primotur to ensure their return to Earth. Inspired by Jolt, she made the Thunderbolts see that it would be preferable to work for their redemption as heroes, rather than to be in jail. After gaining fake identities for the team, she led them away from S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
and the Lightning Rods, and she managed to defeat Graviton
Graviton (comics)
Graviton is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #158 and was created by Jim Shooter and Sal Buscema....
using her psychological skills, making him see that he did not truly have a goal, that he lacked vision. However, the Thunderbolts disagreed with her, for she merely thought of the present and did not care for the future consequences of her actions. When the former Avenger known as Hawkeye joined the team, claiming they would be pardoned if they followed him, she stepped down as leader and allowed him to get the position.
Nightmares
Soon after the Thunderbolts fought the new Masters of Evil, a veritable army of supervillains, and Moonstone decided to betray the team. But something inside of her snapped, and she defeated Crimson Cowl and returned to the team.Graviton returned weeks later, having pondered Karla's words. He took over the city of San Francisco, turning it into an island in the skies. The Thunderbolts attempted to stop him, but they were captured. Graviton offered Moonstone a place at his side, as his queen, but she laughed in his face. As the youngest members of the team saved them, Moonstone wondered why she didn't take Graviton's offer.
During a mission against the Secret Empire
Secret Empire
-Fictional organization history:This subversive organization has been headed by a number of different leaders, always known as “Number One,” with each iteration's goals following the desires of its current leader. The Secret Empire was originally founded by a scientist who felt like an anonymous...
, she became romantically involved with Hawkeye. In Thunderbolts #30, Hawkeye invited Moonstone and Songbird to come train with him. Songbird refused, Karla accepted. During the fight, Hawkeye praises Karla for being a woman in athletic condition. Moonstone however turns the tables and compliments Clint on the fact that he trains four hours a day to maintain peak human physical performance. During the fight Moonstone gains the upper-hand, Karla acknowledges to herself that she originally wanted to seduce Clint Barton to gain leverage on the Thunderbolts team. Using her powers of psychological deduction, she picked up on Clint's attraction towards her, and then Karla admits she is attracted to him as well. At the end of the issue, Karla uses the powers of the Moonstone to slowly undress herself as she and Clint begin to kiss. Songbird then walks in on their moment of intimacy.
But as time went by, she became haunted by nightmares of an ancient Kree
Kree
The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud...
warrior woman, who whispered in her thoughts. Soon after, the team was targeted by Scourge, who killed Jolt. The death of the youngster hit Karla deeply. Subsequently, Citizen V asked for help against her own team, the V-Battalion, and the Thunderbolts agreed to do so, engaging the V-Battalion's operatives in battle. Karla was torn about fighting them, for they were heroes. She released a surge of her powers to stop the fight, making them all intangible, and fled, trying to find out what was wrong with her. Her first stop was Attilan
Attilan
Attilan is a fictional city in the that houses the Inhumans. It first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 . It has also been known as the Great Refuge and New Attilan.-Fictional history:...
, but the Inhumans were gone. She then searched the Fantastic Four's computers and found the answer she was looking for.
She flew under her own power to the Blue Area of the Moon, where she sought the Kree Supreme Intelligence and demanded the truth. The Supreme Intelligence revealed to her that the fragment she referred to as the "moonstone" was part of a Kree Lifestone, which was used to empower the Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy
The original Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 .-Publication history:...
centuries ago. Ajes'ha the Kree warrior woman that haunted her dreams was the previous owner of the moonstone, whose memory was etched into it, and kept steering Karla into the path of heroism. The Thunderbolts managed to catch up with her, and so did Captain Marvel
Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Initially known as Captain Marvel, the character became a leader of the Avengers...
, who offered her help. Led by Captain Marvel, the Thunderbolts went to Titan, where Mentor
A'lars
Mentor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, who first appeared in Iron Man vol. 1 #55, and was created by Jim Starlin.Mentor is the leader of the Titanian colony. His back-story was based on Greek mythology...
and ISAAC
ISAAC (comics)
ISAAC is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.ISAAC is an English version of an acronym in the language of the Eternals of Titan standing for: Integral Synaptic Anti-/Anionic Computer.-Fictional character biography:...
attempted to remove the moonstone from Karla's body. After a serious discussion about Karla's potential to do good, Mentor allowed her to keep the gem but erased the memory of the previous owner, leaving Karla's mind, and by consequence, her decisions, to herself.
Uncertain loyalties
The team returned to Earth, only to find Jolt alive. She exposed Hawkeye, revealing that the pardons Hawkeye promised would not be honored. Soon, the Thunderbolts chased ScourgeScourge of the Underworld
The Scourge of the Underworld is the name of a series of fictional characters that have appeared in various series set in the Marvel Comics universe....
, who was being manipulated by Henry Peter Gyrich
Henry Peter Gyrich
Henry Peter Gyrich is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Avengers Vol. 1 #165 and was created by Jim Shooter and George Pérez.-Fictional character biography:...
. The Thunderbolts fought the V-Battalion's Redeemers but eventually teamed up with them to defeat Gyrich, who was being manipulated as well. Valerie Cooper
Valerie Cooper
Valerie "Val" Cooper is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe who currently works for the Office of National Emergency. She is most notable for her work as the liaison for mutant affairs in the United States government.-Publication history:...
offered the Thunderbolts pardon for saving the world from her own people, with the condition that they would hang up their heroic identities forever.
Karla Sofen was soon contacted by Graviton, who hired her as a tutor. In the following weeks Karla helped Graviton understand and control his powers in ways he had not even dreamed, making him fall in love with her. Graviton soon attacked the Redeemers, slaughtering the team. He also managed to keep many of Earth's heroes unmoving in the sky, as he lifted hundreds of cities all over the world as well, for he wanted to reshape the face of Earth into a semblance of his face. The Thunderbolts re-formed to stop him, only to find Karla at his side. In the end, she hesitated fighting them and helped them stop Graviton. However, his power imploded, sending most of the Thunderbolts to Counter-Earth
Counter-Earth (comics)
In the fictional Marvel Universe, there have been three versions of the hypothetical planet known as Counter-Earth, each one a near-duplicate of Earth.-Publication history:...
.
While trapped on Counter-Earth, the Thunderbolts became true heroes at last, rescuing thousands in their flying city, Attilan. Karla was given the task of reshaping the minds of the world's leaders, creating a new way of thought to ensure the survival of all. Soon after, Karla removed a second moonstone from that world's Lloyd Bloch (known there as the Phantom Eagle), dramatically increasing her own powers. The Thunderbolts eventually returned to Earth, leaving Jolt and the Young Allies to complete their task of saving Counter-Earth.
"The Best Intentions"
When the Avengers later interfered in the Thunderbolts' plan to control the world's "transnormal energy", a failsafe was triggered; a device that Karla had planted in her private plot against Zemo. The stolen energy was funneled into her moonstones, further increasing her powers. Karla attempted to use this energy to flee, but the Thunderbolts and Avengers combined forces to stop her. In the end, Zemo ended up in possession of both moonstones and Karla was left comatose.Since then, Zemo occasionally used her link to the moonstones to puppeteer her, but her mind remained shut down.
Return
Later the Commission on Superhuman ActivitiesCommission on Superhuman Activities
The Commission on Superhuman Activities is a fictional government group from the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
brought her body to their facility, where she and Songbird became mentally linked through the moonstones' power. Karla came out of her coma, and now has the moonstones in her possession again.
Moonstone next became the field leader of the revamped Thunderbolts, sponsored by the government. The Director of this team, the semi-insane Norman Osborn
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
, eventually turned to blackmail to force her to join, threatening that he would remove her moonstone and put her in a coma if she refused. Moonstone is seen as a ruthless if less-than-capable leader of the Thunderbolts- Songbird describing her as someone who simply tells people what to do rather than coordinating them as a group-; on one of their first missions (capturing the renegade Jack Flag
Jack Flag
Jack Flag is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Captain America #434 , and was created by Mark Gruenwald and Dave Hoover.- Fictional character biography :...
), she preferred to have the mission finish early so that she could have sex with one of the government agents, a point stressed by Songbird at their next briefing. She is fully behind the Thunderbolts' new role and that they must rely on public approval to stay employed, but clashes with her teammate Songbird
Songbird (comics)
Songbird , formerly known as Screaming Mimi, is a fictional character, a superheroine and former supervillainess in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:...
and her employer, Osborn. She revealed that she had been influencing S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
agents to give Norman Osborn placebo
Placebo
A placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...
s rather than his usual medication, and also that when Osborn was gone she planned to 'accidentally' kill Songbird in the field and take over as leader. She is shot through the wrist by a crossbow bolt by American Eagle, pinning her to their jet and tearing some of her wrist away. Blinded by rage, she subsequently orders Bullseye
Bullseye (comics)
Bullseye is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.A psychopathic assassin, Bullseye uses the opportunities afforded by his line of work to exercise his homicidal tendencies and to work out his own personal vendetta against Daredevil.Although he possesses no...
to cripple the Eagle, who instead cripples Bullseye.
The Thunderbolts encountered Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
, who had just returned to Earth after Annihilation
Annihilation (comics)
"Annihilation" was a 2006 crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics, highlighting several outer space-related characters in the Marvel Universe. The central miniseries was written by Keith Giffen, with editor Andy Schmidt.-Publication History:...
and had a tangle with Diamondhead
Diamondhead (comics)
Diamondhead is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Diamondhead first appeared in Nova vol 1 #3 , and was created by Marv Wolfman and Sal Buscema....
. Moonstone advised her team not to underestimate his high power level, which they did, when Nova singlehandedly held his own against the Thunderbolts and even survived Penance's hyperkinetic shockwave. Iron Man and SHIELD arrived just in time to defuse the situation before federal and galactic authority could conflict any further.
When the psychic supervillains, Mind-Wave, Caprice, Bluestreak and Mirage, are imprisoned in the Thunderbolt's base, they use their powers to alter the Thunderbolts' minds. They force Moonstone to attack Doc Samson and Penance. Penance manages to repel her with a powerful energy blast. It is later mentioned that Moonstone survived, but her body needs a fortnight to stabilize before she can be submitted to nanosurgery.
Secret Invasion
Moonstone is among four Thunderbolts members present during an attack on Thunderbolts Mountain by a renegade Skrull sleeper agent Khn'nr who has taken the form of Captain Marvel but has refused to follow his programming and has pledged to defend the human race. During the battle, Khn'nr reveals that her stone is of KreeKree
The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud...
origin, and uses his energy-controlling abilities to shut it down. When the Thunderbolts attack and board a Skrull ship, Swordsman confronts a group of them with his newly-returned sister. Moonstone painfully immobilizes the Swordsman, and suggests an alliance to the Skrulls and Andrea. Andrea turns out not to be a Skrull, however, and attacks Moonstone, although Bullseye kills Andrea from behind. He tries to kill Moonstone as well, although she becomes intangible, and she threatens him in order to keep him in line.
Later, Bullseye tries to kill Songbird under Osborn's orders. Songbird manages to get into the Zeus aircraft, and blows up part of the Thunderbolts' mountain headquarters. Moonstone survives because Bullseye had warned her to go intangible, and walks away saying "to Hell with this team."
Dark Reign
Norman Osborn approaches Moonstone while she is meditating and offers her a spot on the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
. She is given the codename of Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the United States Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and as Ms. Marvel—a...
as well as her original costume (reclaimed from Ultra Girl
Ultra Girl
Ultra Girl , also known as Ultra-Girl, is a fictional superhero published by Marvel Comics...
) after the real Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the United States Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and as Ms. Marvel—a...
(Carol Danvers) refuses to follow Osborn. The costume is also scratched heavily by Tigra
Tigra
Tigra is a fictional American comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Introduced as the non-superpowered crime fighter The Cat in Claws of the Cat #1 , she was co-created by writer-editor Roy Thomas, writer Linda Fite, and penciller Marie Severin...
causing an embarrassing exposure in front of the press. On the Dark Avenger's first mission, the new Ms. Marvel is seen attacking Morgana le Fay
Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)
Morgan le Fay is a fictional character in the , based loosely on the Morgan le Fay of Arthurian legend. In this version of the character, she is the half-faerie half-sister of the mythic Arthur. Her elven heritage granted her immortality, and she used this time to master the mystic arts. She...
by blasting her off her dragon causing her to die in the present. After defeating Morgana, Moonstone flirts with Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr is a fictional character created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones and appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appears in Marvel Boy #1 . He appeared in the Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways and the New Avengers: Illuminati limited series...
and then eventually seduces and sleeps with him. While watching a televised interview that Norman Osborn is conducting, Karla tells Noh-Varr that the Dark Avengers are all criminals. This prompts Noh-Varr to leave the group.
As Karla takes on the mantle of Ms. Marvel, she goes out patrolling and comes across some men robbing an armored car. After killing the men, Karla goes back to the Avengers Tower where Osborn informs her the Dark Avengers all have to undergo psychiatric evaluations and he wants her to go first, wanting her professional opinion of Dr. Gerald Wright's skills. After going through some of Karla's memories psychically, Dr. Wright reveals the memories of her mother's death are locked behind a "Hulk shaped door" and he came to kill the Dark Avengers because they are all made up of criminals and makes Karla start to choke herself to death. As Karla is choking herself, she tricks him by getting him to go back into her head where she reveals she killed her mother and hated being seen as a criminal and a failure. After Karla breaks free, she asks him if he is prepared to do what she did and shoots his right arm off leaving him begging for mercy. Off panel it appears she chokes him to death. Fuming, Karla then storms off past Osborn.
After being told by Norman Osborn to find A.I.M., Karla sorts through the original Ms. Marvel's A.I.M. leads and takes out an A.I.M. cell in Atlanta, Georgia. There she finds baby M.O.D.O.C.'s, enhanced to warp reality. They communicate with her telepathically, telling her that they need Ms. Marvel to save them. It is unclear if they are controlling her, or if she genuinely cares about them, but Karla takes them back to her room in the Avengers Tower for safe keeping. Almost immediately her room is blown apart by a strange yellow being, provoking Karla's rage. With the aid of Venom, Noh-Varr and Iron Patriot, Karla manages to defeat the mysterious being and after a meeting with the Dark Avengers, the babies are moved to Thunderbolt's Mountain where they are stolen by Deadpool on behalf of A.I.M.
Later while flying through the city, Karla comes across a green version of Ms Marvel's lightning bolt on the side of a building. Karla goes back to the Avengers Tower where Osborn informs her Deadpool stole the baby M.O.D.O.C.'s. Karla goes to confront him in Los Angeles. After defeating him, Karla comes across the New Avengers and four of the mysterious beings, each one a different color in an underground A.I.M. base. Trying to save the babies, Karla is too late to reach them as Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
hooks them up to a machine. The four mysterious beings then merge and reform Carol Danvers, the original Ms Marvel. Refusing to let her title be taken away, Karla attempts to pound Danvers, but strangely, no matter what she hits her with, Danvers survived each and every blow. Eventually, it is discovered that Danvers has a counterpart named Catherine Donovan, who, in close proximity, allows Danvers to be invulnerable. Donovan is subsequently killed by Osborn and is revealed to be a creation of the Storyteller whose persona then habits Karla's body as she is fighting Carol Danvers. While trapped in her own body, Sofen is forced to confront her own identity and retakes the mantle of Moonstone. As Moonstone, Sofen is able to expel Donovan's consciousness which merges with Danvers upon exit thus making Ms. Marvel whole again. However, during their battle, Carol uses her powers to remove the moonstone from Sofen, depowering her in the process. She tells Sofen that she learned a great deal about her while in her mind and offers her a chance at redemption. Knowing she will die in 72 hours without the moonstone's support, Carol hides it at the gravesite of Sofen's mother and gives her the opportunity to reexamine her life and stand against Osborn. Sofen finds the moonstone at her mother's grave, in a fury she smashes the headstone marking it and leaves.
Karla is sent out by Osborn to help quell the riots in San Francisco along with the other Dark Avengers and H.A.M.M.E.R. Outside the Castro Theatre, she takes out Nekra
Nekra
Nekra is a fictional mutant supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:Nekra first appeared in Shanna the She-Devil #5 , and was created by Steve Gerber and Ross Andru....
and Frenzy
Joanna Cargill
Joanna Cargill, also known as Frenzy, is a fictional character, a mutant superhuman in the Marvel Comics universe. She has been a member of supervillain groups, including the Alliance of Evil and the Acolytes, as well as the superhero team the X-Men....
much to the surprise of Karma
Karma (comics)
Karma is a fictional superheroine from Marvel Comics created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.Karma is a mutant endowed with the ability to seize control of another's mind, though she has sometimes been depicted with other more extensive psionic abilities...
, Armor
Armor (comics)
Armor is a fictional character who exists in Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe. She is a mutant Japanese teenager who is enrolled at the Xavier Institute who retains her powers after the events of Decimation. She first appeared in Astonishing X-Men, vol...
, and Bling
Bling (comics)
Bling! is a fictional character, a mutant appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She attended the Xavier Institute before its closing and is a member of the X-Men's training squad. Her first appearance was in X-Men, vol...
. Later she comes into conflict with Rogue
Rogue (comics)
Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
, accusing her of attacking an unconscious H.A.M.M.E.R. agent and viciously attacks her, though Rogue manages to trick her and escape. Karla is later informed of Trance
Trance (comics)
Trance is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by the Marvel Comics. A mutant, Hope attended the Xavier Institute before its closing. She retained her powers after M-Day and is a member of the X-Men's training squad....
's situation by H.A.M.M.E.R. agents and goes to confront her. After taking out Gambit and Danger, she gets into another fight with Rogue. Trance pulls herself together and attacks Karla. Under Rogue's orders, Trance and Gambit manage to successfully take down Karla before teleporting off with Pixie. During the final fight on Utopia, Karla takes on Nekra, Frenzy and Bling. She comes to Osborn's side telling him if they want to win, they'll have to kill them all but the whole world is watching and if they kill one, they'll have to kill them all and nobody comes back from committing genocide live on TV.
Molecule Man
Molecule Man
Molecule Man is a fictional character, a supervillain or reluctant hero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #20.-1960s:...
turns Moonstone into pure energy, then undoes this at the demand of the Sentry
Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
The Sentry is a fictional character in the . The character first appears in The Sentry #1 and was created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, with uncredited conceptual contributions by Rick Veitch.-Creation:...
.
Moonstone in her Ms. Marvel guise joins the Dark Avengers in a battle with the Mighty Avengers at the time when the Absorbing Man has harnessed the powers of the Cosmic Cube.
In Dark Avengers #10, Moonstone is flirting with Bullseye
Bullseye (comics)
Bullseye is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.A psychopathic assassin, Bullseye uses the opportunities afforded by his line of work to exercise his homicidal tendencies and to work out his own personal vendetta against Daredevil.Although he possesses no...
stating that she thinks 'Bullseye' is a creep, but finds him attractive as Hawkeye. Karla is caught having sex with Bullseye in the Avengers Tower meeting room in front of H.A.M.M.E.R agents as Victoria Hand and Norman Osborn watch on a security camera. This act is perceived as an act of rebellion from Karla against Norman Osborn's rule over the Dark Avengers. Norman sends Victoria Hand to deal with the situation. Hand confronts Moonstone and Bullseye with a group of H.A.M.M.E.R agents. Moonstone disobeys Hand's orders, which prompts Hand to take out an alien weapon to shoot Moonstone, knocking her unconscious.
She is part of the team when they go look for Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr is a fictional character created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones and appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appears in Marvel Boy #1 . He appeared in the Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways and the New Avengers: Illuminati limited series...
in Manhattan, after Sentry found him.
Prior to the attack on Asgard, Moonstone is approached by Mac Gargan who tells Karla that he has been waking up 'sticky' after dreams and was wondering if she could help him. At first she looks disgusted at Gargan's attempts to approach her. While this is happening, Daken
Daken
Akihiro, also codename as Daken is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. Daken is the mutant son of Wolverine and his deceased wife Itsu...
walks up to her and calls her 'sweetheart'. Karla wraps her arm around Gargan's arm and spurns Daken in the process.
During the siege of Asgard, Moonstone is seen helping Osborn defeat Thor. She is seen being chased away from the scene by Maria Hill
Maria Hill
Maria Hill is a fictional character of the Marvel Universe. She was the former director of the planetary defense/intelligence service S.H.I.E.L.D..-Introduction:...
. Moonstone turns intangible to avoid the bullets. Moonstone is one of the on-lookers when Sentry tears Ares in half. Moonstone is standing besides Norman Osborn when the New Avengers, Young Avengers
Young Avengers
Young Avengers is an American comic book series written by Allan Heinberg and published by Marvel Comics. It follows a group of young superheroes, each of whom patterns themselves after a member of the long-established Marvel superhero team the Avengers....
, and Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
led by Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
(Steve Rogers) arrive to assist the Asgardians. Captain America hits Osborn with his shield as Karla retreats back, prompting her to say "Well, I sure as @#$% saw this coming!" Karla engages in personal combat with Ms. Marvel. Karla wins the exchange when Osborn interferes into the fight by blasting Ms. Marvel with an energy beam in the back. When Osborn reverts back to his Green Goblin
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
persona after being defeated by Captain America and Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, Karla and Bullseye are seen in the distance. Both of them come to the realization that it would be a good time to leave the battle.
In Siege #4 and Dark Avengers #16, Moonstone, along with the other members of the Dark Avengers, are arrested by the Avengers. After Captain America does away with Norman Osborn, Moonstone and Bullseye take the opportunity to attempt an escape. Carol Danvers gives chase to Moonstone, only to have Karla fire on her with an energy blast. When it seems she has escaped, Iron Man appears and punches her, knocking her out. At the same time, Bullseye is struck down by Luke Cage
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
, sending the two villains falling unconscious to the ground, thus ending Moonstone's involvement in Dark Reign.
Return to the Thunderbolts
Moonstone has been confirmed as a member of the new Thunderbolts team, formed in the aftermath of Siege.Luke Cage visits the women's section of the Vault, where he recruits Moonstone to once again become a member of the Thunderbolts. Moonstone claims that "It is about time" someone came by to recruit her for the Thunderbolts, and that her "costume should be pressed". Moonstone's recruitment upsets Songbird, but was insisted upon by higher authorities. Following the members being chosen, a test was given to see where loyalties lie among the team. Moonstone was shown to be one of the few who was willing to help out Luke Cage and the rest of the support team. During the missions, Karla passively flirts with Cage, though she is rebuked by him and the rest of the team as trying to manipulate him. She later states that she genuinely respects his heroism.
Powers and abilities
Moonstone's powers are derived from a KreeKree
The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud...
gravity stone (found on Earth's moon) which is charged with unknown energy and bonded to her nervous system.
She can use the stone to fly, and to become intangible so as to pass through solid objects (while intangible she is immune even to some magic-based attacks). She can project laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
-like energy beams from her hands (able to penetrate steel plate), and has also shown the ability to discharge non-coherent light omni-directionally in a blinding flash. Additionally, her bond with the stone grants her superhuman strength, stamina, speed and reflexes.
During the period when Moonstone had absorbed a second gravity stone, she displayed the ability to control gravitational forces, enabling her to move and otherwise manipulate matter, to create force fields, to increase gravity around a target and crush it, to generate miniature black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
s, and even to transport objects through dimensional rifts. She no longer possesses the second stone, and is currently at her original power level.
Moonstone is vulnerable to astrally-projected
Astral projection
Astral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
beings and energy forms even while in her intangible state. It was revealed that Moonstone's gravity stone is also connected to her own life-force. If she is separated from it for more than a period of 72 hours, she would die without its support.
In addition to the powers she wields by virtue of her bond with the gravity stone, Karla Sofen has extensive knowledge of psychology and psychiatry, and has an M.D., specializing in psychiatry. She often uses this expertise to manipulate those around her for personal gain.
Marvel Zombies
Moonstone appears alongside the ThunderboltsThunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
in the "Dead Days" one-shot of the Marvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies is a five-issue limited series published from December 2005 to April 2006 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Robert Kirkman with art by Sean Phillips and covers by Arthur Suydam. It was the first series in the Marvel Zombies series of related stories...
mini-series using her alias of Meteorite. She attacks Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, pouncing on him but is stunned with a blast of lightning and then destroyed when Thor smashes her head.
Television
- Moonstone appears in The Avengers: United They StandThe Avengers: United They StandThe Avengers: United They Stand is an animated series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team The Avengers. It consists of 13 episodes, which originally premiered on October 30, 1999, and was produced by Avi Arad and distributed by 20th Century Fox Television...
episode "Command Decision" voiced by Susan RomanSusan RomanSusan Roman is a Canadian voice actress best known for voice acting the role of Lita/Sailor Jupiter in the North American DiC dub of the anime, Sailor Moon. She is one of the few voice actors to remain throughout the entire run of the series...
. She is shown as a member of Baron Zemo's Masters of EvilMasters of EvilThe Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
.
Film
- Scarlett JohanssonScarlett JohanssonScarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
(prior to deciding to play the Black Widow) said she'd been interested in playing Moonstone for Iron Man 2Iron Man 2Iron Man 2 is a 2010 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is the sequel to 2008's Iron Man, the second film in a planned trilogy and is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Jon...
.
Video games
- Moonstone appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, voiced by Tessa Auberjonois. She is encountered twice in Prison 42. The first encounter has her and Bullseye guarding Firestar who they are trying to infect with nanites. The next time is when Whirlwind attacks and all of the nanite-infected characters revive themselves and lend him a hand. In the PSP, PS2, and Wii versions, she attacks the heroes alongside Songbird.
External links
- Moonstone at Marvel.com