Wednesday 25 May 2016

Ms. Marvel Vol 1 // you can never have enough kick-butt heroines


Title: Ms. Marvel, Vol 1: No Normal
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Genre: Graphic Novel, Superheroes
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository
After a mysterious fog covers Jersey City, American Pakistani girl Kamala Khan finds herself with bizarre new powers. Realising that there is more to her City than meets the eye, she begins to investigate and discovers that being a superhero is not as easy as it seems.

I really enjoyed the first volume of Ms. Marvel. It was really accessible to newcomers to graphic novels such as myself, but also linked back to the wider Marvel Comicverse with references to other characters and linking to the Inhumanity storyline in how Kamala got her powers (as I said, I'm new so I looked this up!).

Kamala was a highly relatable character, and I think even those without Muslim backgrounds would feel the same. She is a nerd when it comes to all things superhero and has a lively personality that was fun to read about.

I was mildly irked by the stereotypical way Kamala's family was presented in, but with the theme of secret identities that comes with superhero stories, the difficulties between Kamala and her parents are a bit hard to avoid. Nevertheless, the writer was excellent at showing how people are much more than their religion and that it is only a fraction of what there is to know about a person.

The art was great at portraying the mood of characters and situations. As for the story, it wasn't particularly unique when it comes to hero origins. But as for someone new to the Marvel Comicverse, I am intrigued and excited to read on.
Diversity Note: Pakistani Muslim protagonist

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