Comic book fans know Kamala Khan joined a grand tradition when she became Ms. Marvel. Though she represents the MCU's first Ms. Marvel, she's actually the fourth in the comics. Besides Carol Danvers, her idol, and Sharon Ventura, another Ms. Marvel reigned during a dark period in the comics when Karla Sofen took over the role.

Karla Sofen acted as Ms. Marvel on the Dark Avengers, which Marvel Comics fans know wasn't her first time masquerading as a hero. Sofen once hid her true identity as Moonstone, a member of the Masters of Evil, while joining Baron Zemo on the Thunderbolts. With the Thunderbolts seemingly coalescing in the MCU, Sofen's live-action debut likely isn't far behind.

Dark Avengers

Dark Avengers Iron Man Wolverine Venom Spider-Man Hawkeye Team

Comic book fans know Karla Sofen operated as Moonstone for much of her career, but her fortunes in Dark Avengers #1 take a surprising turn. She takes over the role of Ms. Marvel from Carol Danvers when Norman Osborn, in his guise as Iron Patriot, organizes the Dark Avengers. This team sees villains like Osborn and Sofen become the heroes they once fought.

The Dark Avengers form in the aftermath of Secret Invasion, among the most important Marvel Comics events ever, in which Osborn emerges a hero after killing the Skrull queen Veranke. With public trust in the Avengers faltering, he capitalizes on the moment to undermine the Avengers.

Secret Invasion

Norman Osborn rallies the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics.

Karla Sofen fights as Moonstone with the Thunderbolts during Secret Invasion, a team she helped found in the comics. The Skrulls attack Thunderbolt Mountain in Thunderbolts #123 and #124, leading to an all-out battle where the team indulges their most villainous instincts. Bullseye tries to kill Moonstone, though she later works with him on the Dark Avengers.

Moonstone likely serves as a Thunderbolts member in the MCU given her importance to the team and her connections to several major storylines which are emerging in live-action, including The Contessa's very Norman Osborn-like gambit to form a darker Avengers team.

The Thunderbolts

Thunderbolts Marvel MCU development featured team

The Thunderbolts seem poised to emerge in the MCU with several members, including their founder Baron Zemo, already in live-action. Karla Sofen, among The Thunderbolts' most powerful members, can't be far behind and she may be the character Zaw Ashton is playing in the upcoming The Marvels movie.

The Thunderbolts arrived in Marvel Comics via an all-time great twist, with the heroic team revealing themselves to be the former Masters of Evil. Zemo enacted the ruse when the Avengers seemingly died fighting Onslaught, though they in fact disappeared into a pocket dimension.

The Masters Of Evil

The Masters of Evil invade Avengers Mansion in Marvel Comics.

The Masters of Evil also likely form in the MCU going forward given their prominence in Avengers' lore. Moonstone joined later iterations of the team and fought alongside Zemo during several major battles. She participated in the invasion of Avengers Mansion in "Under Siege," among the best Avengers comic book storylines ever.

Karla Sofen displayed her cunning and ambition during this moment, as she tried to usurp leadership away from Zemo. She later proved a wild card in every team she served on, with shifting loyalties and chaotic behavior that defines her character in many ways.

Dark Origin

Karla Sofen as Ms. Marvel in Marvel Comics.

Karla Sofen initially appears as a minor villain in Captain America #192. Subsequent stories establish her among the most powerful Avengers villains in Marvel Comics as well as the darkest. Ms. Marvel #38 from 2009 reveals she killed her mother, whom she resented despite her mother's selflessness in trying to help Karla achieve her dreams.

Karla worked as a psychologist for some time before becoming a supervillain, and her evil came out there, too. She manipulated her patients into harming themselves and others, betraying her oath as a doctor.

Kree Gravity Stones

Moonstone using her powers and grimacing in Marvel Comics

Sofen gained her superpowers from Kree gravity stones, or moonstones. These powerful objects granted her a broad range of superhuman abilities, including flight and intangibility. She later bonded with other more powerful stones, giving her even more powers, including the ability to manipulate gravity.

Moonstone's power over gravity makes her incredibly dangerous. She produces and manipulates miniature black holes, which even at microscopic size can distort time and space.

The Corporation

The Hulk fights Captain America in Marvel Comics.

The Corporation serves as another organization the MCU potentially leverages in live-action. Sofen worked for the shadowy criminal syndicate early in her career, and once manipulated the Hulk into fighting Captain America. She also caused General Thunderbolt Ross to have a mental breakdown, a story element that conceivably manifests in the MCU in some way given his connections to the Thunderbolts.

The Corporation spans the entire world and could function as a way to link the disparate aims of figures like Kingpin, The Contessa, and The Power Broker (Sharon Carter), who all may be in league together already.

Taking Command

Baron Zemo confronts Moonstone in Marvel Comics.

Sofen at times displays heroic qualities. Though her intentions always remain suspect, she guided the Thunderbolts out of their original deceptive role to become heroes. She confronted Zemo and ultimately rallied the team against him. She deposed him as the leader and led them into a new era as reformed villains.

She guided the Thunderbolts through several adventures, trying to keep their heroic identities before she eventually lost control of the group herself to an unexpected character.

Romance With Hawkeye

Hawkeye and Moonstone kiss in Marvel Comics.

Comic book fans know Hawkeye took over leadership of the Thunderbolts from Sofen and continues an association with the team that the MCU possibly exploits. While serving together, Sofen began a romantic relationship with Hawkeye that complicated her dynamic on the team and her own personal ambitions.

The MCU likely leaves this relationship in the comics given where Hawkeye is in live-action, but his positive influence on her could be replicated in another character if her cinematic story plays out in a similar fashion.

Fighting Ms. Marvel

Ms Marvel Versus Moonstone

Sofen's stint as Ms. Marvel in the Dark Avengers ended with Carol Danvers fighting her to take the title back. The two clash in an epic battle between the original Avengers and their imposters in Siege #3. Sofen wins the battle thanks to Norman Osborn intervening, but his reversion to his Green Goblin persona ultimately unravels the Dark Avengers.

Sofen goes to prison for her actions, where she rejoins the Thunderbolts. Her strong association with the team, and the growing focus on the DODC's secure prison seen in Ms. Marvel, likely means her MCU debut isn't too far off.

NEXT: Ms. Marvel: 10 Things Only Marvel Comics Fans Know About The ClanDestine