MONICA RAMBEAU

MONICA RAMBEAU

Real Name: Monica Rambeau

First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man Annual (Vol. 1) #16, October 1982

Powers: Monica Rambeau, (alias Captain Marvel II, Photon, and later Pulsar) received her powers after accidentally tumbling into an experimental power grid interfacing with extra-dimensional space. The resulting discharge consumed her body and transformed her into living electromagnetic energy. Monica thus gained the power to access an extra-dimensional interface to transposition her organic mass with any wavelength on the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, gamma rays, radio waves, x-rays, microwaves, and even neutrino particles which aren't actually on the spectrum.

In her human form, Monica is capable of firing electromagnetic force blasts from her hands, by displacing only that small portion of her mass to funnel energy from her source dimension. When she transforms completely, Monica's mind becomes an astral specter animating and controlling her energy form, which still outwardly maintains the shape and appearance of her body. She can fly at the speed of light in all of her energy forms, and manifests various abilities depending on which state she's in, including invisibility, intangibility, projection of holographic images, blinding light, heat, electricity, explosive or disintegration beams of energy, etc. She is naturally capable of surviving in adverse environments or the vacuum of space in her energy forms, and communicates in this form through a type of radio broadcasting. Monica has also perfected the ability to manipulate the visible light components of her energy form into order to duplicate the colors and shades of her normal appearance. Thus, she is able to make her energy form look indistinguishable from her human form, though she maintains her intangibility and flight powers.

At one point, however, Monica lost a great deal of her mass in energy form when she was dispersed through the ocean. When she managed to return to human form, she was physically emaciated by the loss of mass and incapable of using her powers. She eventually recovered physically and her powers returned, but in a largely altered format. Monica no longer transformed her body but now projected a dimensional interface field around herself that manipulated mechanical energy and force. This field protected her from physical injury by displacing impact, and allowed her to fly by producing thrust at roughly the speed of sound. She could also use applied force from the field to lift enormous weights by pushing up from beneath them, or amplifying the force of her punches to strike someone with superhuman strength. As her powers continued to regenerate, Monica became capable of performing many of the feats she was previously capable of, such as discharging heat, light, or electricity, and becoming invisible by bending light waves around her body. Only after an encounter with the Stranger, though, was Monica able to regain her ability to transform into energy forms and back. She seems to maintain the ability to fly in a solid state on top of her original powers, though. For a time, Monica called out the names of her energy conversions in order to activate them: Exawatt Gamma-Ray Laser, Microwave Storm, Infrared Stab, Ultraviolet Nova, Petawatt Laser, etc.

Later, Monica adopted the code name "Spectrum" and began exploring new limits to her powers after the encouragement of T'Challa and a small adjustment of her energy levels by the Blue Marvel. She began to recognize that energy is her default state, and transforming from energy into flesh and blood is her actual power. By recognizing that she is only simulating a human form, Monica has begun stepping away from human frailties and limitations. She no longer requires outside sources of biological sustenance or sleep, and can "heal" injuries to her human form simply by converting into her photonic state. Monica can alter her human form to create different costumes or attire, and has started practicing "shape-changing", altering her form into other human appearances. She can even merge with someone's reflection, becoming part of the light reflecting their image off of a glass. Monica has a literal photographic memory, with all her recollections since becoming Captain Marvel stored in the light-energy matrix that now makes up her mind. She has also determined that she possesses enough raw power in her energy state to destroy planets, although she has yet to test that in practice.

Monica Rambeau is a college graduate as well as a police academy graduate. An excellent swimmer with extensive nautical experience and a good detective, she has strong leadership skills, is an excellent markswomanship and unarmed combatant, and can speak fluent French and Portuguese. A former lieutenant with the New Orleans Harbor Patrol, she is experienced in law enforcement.