Marvel Comics
$2.99
It seems like lately it’s getting harder and harder to find
a Marvel comic that isn’t focused on nonsensical time travel plotlines,
characters dying and coming back to life for no reason, or heroes fighting each
other instead of actual villains. Maybe that’s why this week’s release of Ms.
Marvel #1 was such a relief and a downright fun read to boot. One of the first
issues to hit the shelves from the “All New Marvel NOW!” campaign, Ms. Marvel
is fresh and original while still maintaining a classic feel.
If you haven’t heard about the series’ re-launch by now,
it’s probably safe to say you’ve been marooned somewhere without an internet
connection. Since the first teaser image debuted, forums everywhere have been
abuzz about how Carol Danvers would be replaced with a new Ms. Marvel, and by a
Muslim teenager no less. In an increasingly tolerant society, I was shocked by
how many opposed the change. Admittedly, many of Marvel’s attempts to add some
diversity to their roster have been little more than a PR stunt, like when
Ultimate Nick Fury was transformed into the comic book version of Samuel L.
Jackson. However, I assure you that with
the latest incarnation of our hero, Marvel is finally doing it right.
Through Kamala Khan, G. Willow Wilson has created a protagonist
who is both familiar and relatable, yet unlike anything we have seen before. A
far cry from a bland replacement for Danvers, Kamala’s tale is part spiritual
journey, part rise to stardom. Her
strong religious upbringing is ever-present, but not the sole focus of the
story; all the usual teenage angst is there as well. It’s an interesting
contrast watching Kamala stick to her convictions, while trying to fit in with
the popular crowd. She’s a character who loves her family (but wishes they’d
give her more freedom), someone who’s never tried a sip of alcohol in her life,
and someone who idolizes superheroes as much as we, the readers, do. For those of us who grew up pretty straight-edge,
our noses buried in a comic book more often than not, the story really rings
true.
As first issues go, it’s typical to be heavy on character development
and low on action. Ms. Marvel #1 is no different, but it’s necessary. Kamala is
a complex character who needs to be really fleshed out in order to properly appreciate
her. On the sidelines is a supporting cast of friends, family, and frenemies,
all of whom you also get a good feel for in a very short amount of time. With
Adrian Alphona illustrating, the characters pop right off the page, each with
their own unique styles and expressions. Those familiar with Brian K. Vaughan’s
Runaways can attest that Alphona does some of his best work on teen books.
What drew me to the Ms. Marvel reboot in the first place was
not the progressive choice of a female minority lead, but rather that it felt
atypical in every way. Firstly, the story takes place in New Jersey rather than
New York City. Still close by, I know, but at least she’s not next-door-neighbors
with a thousand other super people. (Regardless, I smell an obligatory
Wolverine cameo in the near future.) Second, Kamala’s power set, while not
revealed in the first issue, is an unusual choice for a heroine. She’s a
polymorph, which means she can change her size and shape at will. When I think
of polymorphs I think of Batman’s Clayface: ugly, manipulative and brutal. Giving
that power to someone on the right side of the law will be something we’ve rarely
seen. And lastly, I love that the book has a strong emphasis on the religious
aspect. It’s an unbiased view into a faith that few Americans understand well,
and will hopefully build some enlightenment and tolerance for.
Jack of All Trade Paperbacks
Contributing Writer
No comments:
Post a Comment