I’ve been waiting a long time to finally read the new Ms. Marvel ever since the announcement came that she would be the first Muslim female superhero in the Marvel Universe. Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American teenager who has lived all her life in New Jersey and is stuck between her parent’s rules and wanting to fit in with the popular kids in school. Even putting her culture aside, Kamala is quirky and nerdy. It’s pointed out by her friend that she’s annoyingly obsessed with the Avengers. She also tells her mom she writes fan fiction about them with unicorn themes that would make Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers jealous. I think because of all this, Kamala is relateable to anyone who was weird in high school.
Although in this first issue, we don’t see her super powers, it was revealed in All New Marvel NOW Point One that she is a shape changer. She’ll be able to slap enemies with a giant hand and run across the state in just a couple steps by growing giant legs and feet. I can’t wait to see some action soon, seeing as how this issue was more about introducing Kamala’s family and way of life. I think this series will give people insight into the diversity within the Muslim culture and clear up a lot of misconceptions. I love that Marvel is introducing more racially diverse characters into the universe and I hope there is much more to come.
