Wilson, G. Willow

AVERAGE REVIEW SCORE:

4 out of 5

(1 book)

Ms. Marvel: No Normal

(Art by Adrian Alphona and Jacob Wyatt)

The first adventure and origin story for the Ms. Marvel of a new generation.  Kamala Khan is dealing with the usual challenges of being a teenager, as well as those of being a Muslim in America, when she finds herself transformed by the terrigen mists.

It's a very rare thing for a new character to become iconic in either the Marvel of DC pantheons on superheroes and villains.  New characters come and go, but we always return to the likes of Spider-Man, Batman, Superman and Wolverine.  However, Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel is one of those rare creations that really do grab public attention and have the staying power to become mainstream heroes (she even has her own Disney+ series starring the awesome Iman Vellani).

What makes her so compelling is that she takes the same relatable struggles that made Peter Parker so endearing in his teenage years and adds in a handful of new aspects that keeps the concept feeling fresh.  For example, having her Muslin culture be a fundamental part of the character makes for an interesting new angle, as does the idea of someone who (super)hero-worships the Avengers getting superpowers of her own.

As well as seeing her come to grips with her new powers and decide on her path as a superhero, we also get to see her first team-up and it's endlessly amusing that it's with Wolverine.  He's a famous grouch but his time teaching young students seems to have mellowed him somewhat and the working relationship he and Kamala develop here is really endearing.  "So like... now you're just a short, angry man who punches stuff?" "I knew I liked you the minute I saw you".

4 out of 5

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Marvel Comics (here)