The first Captain Marvel is making a triumphant return. Mar-Vell is the center of a new variant cover for Captain Marvel #34, and may be on his way to a comeback within the series' highly anticipated arc 'The Last of the Marvels.'

Mar-Vell was introduced in 1967 in the pages of Marvel Super-Heroes #12. He was the very first Captain Marvel but has been dead for a long time. Even though he has made some appearances since, they have often come with caveats, such as his Secret Invasion "return," which was ultimately revealed to actually be a brainwashed Skrull. His initial death occurred in 1982, in the pages of the aptly titled Death of Captain Marvel graphic novel, and has become a major event in Marvel lore.

Related: Captain Marvel's Darkest Costume is Trying To Kill Her

Captain Marvel #34 has the creative team of Kelly Thompson, Sergio Dávila, and Iban Coello. The latest variant for the series is illustrated by Artgerm, as revealed by Marvel. The current Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, is set to partner with former Captain Marvels, as well as heroes who have been inspired by Captain Marvel. These heroes include Kamala Khan (aka Ms. Marvel) and Genis-Vell - Mar-Vell's son, who was also formerly deceased. However, if this cover is any indication of things to come, Mar-Vell could also finally be truly returning to life.

Mar-Vell's death came as a result of a battle with cancer. The Kree warrior detected it within his own body using his cosmic awareness, but he was denied advanced medical care by the Kree due to his history of protecting Earth from harm, which saw him branded a traitor. He has crossed paths with Ronan the Accuser and Thanos, who many Marvel fans are very familiar with, and was actually one of the Mad Titan's most respected enemies, allowing for a bittersweet moment in which the villain led Mar-Vell into the afterlife in a hero's death.

Since his passing, Mar-Vell has since appeared in the Realm of the Dead and in Chaos War: Dead Avengers. Any time there has been a chance for the hero to return, he has typically sacrificed himself to save others. Now, thirty-nine years have passed since his death, and it could finally be time for the hero to come back. With the inclusion of Captain Marvel in the MCU, a gender-swapped version of Mar-Vell in Captain Marvel, and a new generation of fans, this is not just an amazing variant cover from Artgerm, but reason to speculate that a long absent hero may be about to return. The original Mar-Vell would certainly be a welcome addition to Marvel's current ranks of comic heroes, and stranger resurrections (such as Bucky Barnes' reveal as the Winter Soldier) have been met with approval by fans. The resurrection of Mar-Vell could finally be in store when Captain Marvel #34 releases on November 17.

More: The Avengers' Greatest MCU Phase 1 Battles Recreated in Marvel Covers

Source: Marvel