Ms. Marvel #1 Review
“Metamorphosis Part 1 of 5”
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Art: Adrian Alphona
Colors: Ian Herring
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Covers: Sara Pichelli & Justin Ponsor, Art Adams, Peter Steigerwald & Jamie McKelvie
Review by Scott Keys
When I first heard of this series starting, I didn’t really know what to expect. I’m definitely glad that I decided to pick it up though!
The new Ms. Marvel follows Kamala Khan, a Muslim teenager growing up in New Jersey with her family. While this is the hook that most people grabbed on to, the truth is that she is just like any other teenage girl in America. Her family doesn’t “get” her; her classmates don’t understand her; and her friends try to look out for her, but she doesn’t want their help… you know, normal teenage life. The fact that she is Muslim is another layer that adds to the character, but it doesn’t define her. She’s just a teenage girl trying to strike out on her own, not wanting to be “labeled” as anything (except maybe a super-hero), which is funny because that’s actually what happens to her! After breaking the rules and sneaking out to a party, the terrigen mists cause Kamala to hallucinate and eventually metamorphose into Ms. Marvel! Like they say, be careful what you wish for!
I was extremely impressed by this first issue, and the team of Wilson, Alphona, and Herring do an excellent job of giving the reader that “slice of life” story of Kamala, the girl who would be Ms. Marvel. Wilson’s writing was so well done, with giving the reader insight to Kamala and her family life, and even using the “Mean Girls” approach to show the ignorance most people have about her religion. Alphona and Herring’s art was superb – absolute eye candy! Each character looked distinct, no cookie cutter faces, and the color work really added to the mood and atmosphere of the book (especially the dream sequence and terrigen mists scenes). Ms. Marvel #1 was one of the best debut issues that I’ve read in awhile, and I’m definitely ready for issue two!
Art: 5 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5
Scott Keys is a father, Butler University grad, pharmacist, and full-time comic nerd. You can follow his adventures around the spinner-rack and his Incoherent Comic Book Ramblings on:
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