| “ | How many more times... How many times can we be tested? How much harder do we have to try? And for what? To prove what? That we're strong enough to lose and lose and lose arms and legs and lose memories and comrades? Lose friends? And lose houses but not homes? Lose battles but not wars? Lose heart but not hope? I am strong enough to do that... But this... I am not strong enough for this... | „ |
| ~ Peggy Carter |
| “ | This war is everybody's war...! I was needed... and I answered the call... just as you did, in your own way! | „ |
| ~ Peggy Carter to Captain America. |
Doctor Margaret Alexandra "Peggy" Carter, also known as Agent 13 and The Dryad, is a superheroine in Marvel comics. She has appeared as a major character in the Captain America comics, acting as his ally, love-interest and partner on occasions during World War II. Though she initially passed away due to her advanced age, she would be revived by the Cosmic Cube Kobik, and became the leader of the Daughters of Liberty.
She was created by the late Stan Lee, the late Jack Kirby and the late John Romita Sr., and first appeared in Tales of Suspense #75 in March of 1966.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she is portrayed and voiced by Hayley Atwell.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Margaret Alexandra "Peggy" Carter was born on June 1920 in Richmond, Virginia to unnamed wealthy parents, and is the sister to Harrison Carter. During her teenage years, she began a romantic relationship with a black man, but he ended their relationship due to racial prejudicing during the times. Following her break up with him, Peggy met Alexa Volkoff, who recruited her into the Daughters of Liberty so she could become a expert spy. After she received her training from the organization, Peggy learned of America's fight against the Axis Powers, and decided to fight in World War II.
Second World War[]
Peggy joined the French Resistance under the code name "Agent 13", and would become an ally and love-interest of the superhero Captain America. She would become an ally of the Howling Commandos under the leadership of Nick Fury, and participated in storming Baron Zemo's headquarters with the team. During her helping Captain America fight the Nazis, Peggy would assist the Invaders, and the heroes Spitfire and Miss America. While going on a mission, Peggy was captured and tortured by the Gestapo , but was able to escape when a artillery shell struck the area when American forces were invading Paris. Though she survived, she suffered from amnesia and wandered all over Europe until she was brought home by a family friend who noticed her in Belgium. Despite losing her memory, she could mostly recall her interactions with Captain America, and would learning of his "demise", went into a catatonic state.
1950s[]
During the 1950s, Peggy would recover from her catatonic state and would assist Howard Stark in Operation Sin in Moscow, Russia for Woodrow McCord. After helping the alien Shareen, Peggy and Howard were given medals by the states and allowed to return to the United States with first class tickets. Despite recovering, she would relapse into her state before William Burnside pretended to be Steve Rogers, which was kept hidden by Harrison and his wife Amanda to prevent Peggy's mind from being destroyed permanently.
S.H.I.E.L.D.[]
During the 1960s, Peggy had recovered once again and was recruited into S.H.I.E.L.D., a secret organization created to protect the world from threats. She would meet Dum Dum Dugan who wanted her help to vet for potential recruit Sif, as Peggy had previously assisted the Asgardians years ago. However, Fury revealed that Sif wasn't a potential recruit but Peggy was, which angered Carter as she refused to join the organization. Despite her protest, Peggy later joined S.H.I.E.L.D. while working for various agencies during the mid-1960s, becoming a legendary agent and skilled doctor. While working for numerous agencies, Peggy developed a close bond with her niece Sharon, who saw her aunt as an idol and decided to join S.H.I.E.L.D. when she got older.
Lost Souls Asylum[]
When Peggy's mental health deteriorated to the point that she thought Sharon was her younger sister, Harrison and Amanda decided to send her to the Lost Souls Asylum to be treated. While staying there, Peggy was interrogated by Dr. Faustus, an enemy of Captain America, who was revived by the Avengers after stopping Loki. She was able to overcome her deteriorating state to help Captain America defeat Dr. Faustus, and happily reunited with Rogers. Despite having a good discussion with her former lover, Peggy saw her reflection and realized how much time had passed.
After the events at the Lost Souls Asylum, Peggy returned as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. while also trying to pursue a romantic relationship with Captain America. She failed due to Cap now becoming Sharon's lover and partner, and Peggy would go on to pursue a relationship with Gabe Jones. Peggy would go on to become a communications officer for the Avengers, and would transfer calls to Cap and other characters while also asking for Quasar's assistance in apprehending Klaw.
The Dryad[]
Peggy would retire from working for the Avengers and died due to her advance age, and she would be honored by her family and friends at her funeral in Paris. She would be revived and returned to a younger age by the Cosmic Cube Kobi, who had replaced Captain America with a different counterpart. Returning to the world, Peggy took on the codename "The Dryad" and became the leader of the Daughters of Liberty, where her niece Sharon was also her teammate.
Love-Interests[]
- Captain America
- Gabe Jones
- Codename: Bravo
Portrayals[]
Films[]
- In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she was portrayed by Hayley Atwell, who also played Grace in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and voiced Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft.
- Atwell would reprise her voice for the character in Lego Marvel's Avengers and Avengers Assemble, and for a different iteration of the character in the Disney+ animated series What If...? and the 2022 film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Television[]
- In The Marvel Super Heroes, she was voiced by the late Peg Dixon.
Video Games[]
- In What If...? - An Immersive Story, she was voiced by Helen Sadler, who also voiced Jyn Erso in EA's Star Wars: Battlefront and Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Rey in LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises and Vivian Harris in Call of Duty: WWII.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- She was originally Sharon Carter's older sister, but this would be retconned in 2007.
