This rating might surprise even the casual comic reader, as the Kamala Khan version of Ms. Marvel is generally lauded and respected as a fun character and a breath of fresh air. While I would give the charming Kamala (and her dad) five stars, I didn’t enjoy the slow storyline of volume one. I also don’t like the art in the book. Alphona is a definitely talented artist; I simply would’ve chose a different art style for the book (more like this or this).
For those unfamiliar – last year, readers were introduced to Kamala Khan. She is a typical teenager dealing with her protective parents, friends, high school drama, and living in in a world with superheroes and villains. She also happens to be Muslim. (She is basically the spiritual successor of the classic Peter Parker Spider-Man – a teenager on the fringes of popularity with everyday problems.)
One night, a mysterious fog seems to give Khan superpowers. She takes the form of Ms. Marvel/Capt. Marvel/Carol Danvers and saves some bougie jerks at her high school from drowning. The rest of the book explores a mystery impacting the family of one of her friends, as well as Kamala’s relationship to her own family and her new powers. While I enjoyed meeting a lot of the characters, the combination of a slow story and art that was not for me made this book a “sell at Half Price Books” title.
However, Kamala is funny, witty, and charming. It’s rare for a character to “pop” so immediately, but Kamala Khan does. She feels like a friend. I was glad to see her in S.H.I.E.L.D. and Avengers comics, because she’s great. I will continue to follow the character in other Marvel titles, but probably not in this one.
