(Spoiler Warning!!)
Hello, comic comrades! How is everyone feeling today? Are you excited to talk about Ms. Marvel? I am! I did know of Ms. Marvel, but it was Carol Danvers from years ago in the comics. Before the show, I had very little knowledge of Kamala Khan. Most of what I know came from the Avengers game. And honestly, she was the best part of that mediocre game. I’m four issues into Ms. Marvel’s 2014 comic run, and I am enjoying it. She is relatively new in Marvel Comics. I mean, 8 years is still fresh. Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American in Jersey City. She is a teenager who idolizes superheroes, especially Captain Marvel, also known as Carol Danvers. Fun fact, Kamala is Marvel’s first Muslim to lead their own solo comic. I know there have been some changes to Ms. Marvel's powers, but hopefully, the show does Kamala justice. She deserves it because I see her as a hero close to Peter Parker. As for now, let’s jump into Ms. Marvel!
What an intro for Kamala, amirite? Watching her fan girl for the Avengers and Captain Marvel was pretty awesome. Am I just like her? Yeah, no doubt. Kamala brought up AvengerCon, which sounds like a blast. I recommend going to a comic con or any convention of your favorite media if you haven't yet! Once she finished her video talking about Carol Danvers, we met her Pakistani Muslim family. Muneeba, Yusuf, and Aamir. It felt right out of the comics but different; I felt a connection to them already. Kamala had a driving test but failed it. And I mean, she wasn’t close to passing it. Her parents blaming the driving instructor was funny because I felt like my parents would do the same. Instead of fully listening to her Ammi, Kamala daydreamed about Captain Marvel. I loved the style they used to visually show her thoughts. Kamala attended Coles Academic High School with Bruno and Nakia, her close friends. We met Zoe too. From what I read, Zoe is rude in the comics but a significant character for Ms. Marvel’s growth as a hero. The high school sign had a bunch of writers and artists’ names from Ms. Marvel’s comics. It’s pretty neat when they do that. They need to pay them, though. Anyways, Kamala wasn’t missing the chance to showcase her Captain Marvel cosplay at AvengerCon. Bruno and Kamala had to find a way to get there. In Mr. Wilson's office, he wanted to discuss Kamala’s academic future, but she didn’t want to think about that. She loved fantasy more than reality.
At the famous Circle Q, Kamala still had to think about her final flourish for her cosplay. Bruno and her biked around Jersey City discussing it. It was so rad. The idea of using the environment to visually show her thoughts was such a great idea. It reminded me of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I appreciated Edgar Wright for that. Back home, Kamala finds a cool bangle from Nani’s package. Her mother seemed to know what it was. Are they setting Nani or her Ammi as a past hero? Muneeba took Kamala with her for last-minute wedding shopping for her brother, Aamir. Kamala felt distanced when it came to others’ expectations. She had a different perspective than her family. Back home, Bruno showed Yusuf his new Zuzu system like Alexa. The guy is such a treat to watch, haha. Her mother reminded me of my mom as well. It is a different culture from mine, but it feels the same. It’s great to find something to relate to. Kamala took the chance to ask her parents about AvengerCon, and it didn’t go well. If this was my sister at that age, my parents would have said the same thing. It’s something certain cultures go through when they come to the States. Their kids potentially miss out on things because the parents don’t understand. Aamir promised to talk to their parents about AvengerCon. The way they displayed text messages was a gem. It’s a tiny visual, but it beats the basics. The next day, Kamala looked at herself in the mirror wearing her Captain Marvel cosplay. I imagined all that her mother said was going through her head. She wasn’t sure if it was true or not. A little self-doubt, if you will. But it was about to change because her mother had a surprise.
Muneeba was going to allow Kamala to go to AvengerCon but with conditions. One of them was going with her Addu wearing Hulk salwar! Her father looked so good in a Hulk cosplay! The man was committed with the face paint too. We love to see it. But Kamala didn’t. It was a sweet gesture her father did for her, but I understand where Kamala was coming from. It’s for Bruno and her. A disappointing Yusuf told her she wasn’t going anymore. I felt for the guy. A bit sad. Bruno and Kamala sat on the rooftop of Circle Q. Kamala was about to give up. Everyone was telling her to leave fantasy land. Can a Pakistani-American from Jersey City save the world? Was she destined to be something more prominent? Bruno believed she was. If she was going to save the world, she was going to save the world! Is there a spark there? I’m 50/50 with it. Their friendship is enjoyable to watch, so something more could hurt that. Bruno showed Kamala her new Photon gloves. A shoutout to Bruno Carrelli Corporations! A lovely evening between these two. Kamala had a tough few days in school, will a chance to go to AvengerCon pop up? Yes! Kamala thought of a plan using Bruno’s Zuzu system to sneak out. They had a tight schedule, so everything had to be right on time. The only thing left was finishing the costume. Bruno suggested something Pakistani for her final flourish. She exactly knew what she was going to bring. The nifty bangle her Nani sent to them. You know something strange was happening when there was thunder around. But it’s time to go! Is it a surprise when everything doesn't go according to plan? They were behind schedule from the get-go, so everything else was falling behind. Her Abbu kept her at the dinner table for too long, the tree branch to sneak back in broke, they missed the first bus, and the second bus driver left Kamala’s bike.
But finally, they arrived at AvengerCon. It was filled with so much awesomeness. Cap’s song, the cosplayers, the stands, and the apparel. Shoutout to the showrunners for the nod to Nat’s sacrifice. Tony would always get the recognition, but I felt Nat deserved more. Without her, Stark couldn't snap. After all the fun, it was time for the Captain Marvel cosplay contest! Kamala was excited until Zoe showed up wearing a cosplay of Danvers. Who would have thought? Not Kamala. Who cared, though? It was Kamala’s time to shine. She got ready, but the bangle didn’t want to open. Since she was in a hurry, she forgot her Photon gloves in the bathroom. When Kamala reached the stage, she got the bangle open. Bruno didn’t mind she forgot the gloves if she had the bangle. Kamala put it on, and energy soared through her body. How exciting! She stepped on the stage, and the camera flashes activated her powers. Very cosmic, amirite? The crowd loved it. No doubt she was the winner, right? Like any hero tapping into their powers for the first time, she made a big mess. But people didn’t care for some reason. A big Mjolnir smashed Zoe, and Kamala had to stretch her hand to save her. It was similar to Kamala’s first save in the comics! She was geeked to have powers as one would be. An eventful night, but it wasn’t over. Kamala’s mother was waiting for her in her room. She was disappointed because she couldn't see her daughter as who she thought Kamala was. Maybe that’s a good thing? Muneeba kept bringing up fantasy, and I have a feeling she was once in Kamala’s shoes instead of Nani. Who will Kamala Khan be? The girl her parents raised, the cosmic head-in-the-cloud person, or both? And yes, there was a mid-credit scene! Damage Control Agent Cleary, who questioned Peter Parker, will have his eyes on Kamala now.
Final Thoughts
How fun was that first episode? I didn’t have high expectations for this series because I didn’t know much about her. I am a fan of Captain Marvel. Mar-vell from the comics and Carol Danvers from the MCU. I do like Ms. Marvel from the comics as well. I’m sure I have physical comics with Kamala in them, but I haven’t read them yet. I am reading her 2014 run on ComiXology right now, though. As I said, the Avengers game was my first introduction to Kamala Khan. I absolutely adored her in the game. I’m telling you, she was the best part of it. The style choices made for the first episode grabbed me the most. It was a way to distance itself from other MCU Disney+ shows. Imaan as Kamala Khan fits so well. I had moments where I forgot she was acting. It is always great watching other family cultures on screen. To have that in a comic book show is even greater for me. I’m curious to see where Bruno and Kamala go from here. I haven’t finished the comic run, so I don’t want to spoil myself. The high school feel gave me the same vibes Spider-Man: Homecoming did. I appreciate a good coming-of-age story. I wonder if we will see Carol in the series or not. I hate to be one of those fans who ask for a cameo or supporting character when the show doesn’t need it. But I honestly feel like this one does because Captain Marvel is an influential figure for Kamala. I wouldn’t be bummed if it doesn’t happen since we know Kamala will appear in the Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels. I’m interested to hear about Muneeba's backstory. I believe she witnessed the powers of the bangle before. Either her or Nani and the ending to that was a depressing story. Ms. Marvel does wear a bangle in the comics, but it doesn’t give her powers. Her powers came from Terrigen mist, which gave Inhumans their superpowers. I assume they changed her abilities to align Kamala more with Captain Marvel and Photon. It’s all cosmic. I wasn’t a die-hard fan before the series, so I just hope they do her justice. Until next time!
Hello there! I’m happy you took the time out of your day to read my post. Remember, if you have any questions or want to have a discussion, leave a comment! If time allows, the following newsletter will be a Comic Reading for the Week. If not, the next newsletter will be on Ms. Marvel episode two. Stay tuned! Happy days and take care!