Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Ms. Marvel #1
Marvel Comics
Wilson, Alphona & Herring
The first issue of Ms Marvel is definitely a classic, world-building, origin, first issue. While the general story is one you've probably seen or read a hundred times over, this issue executes in a nice enough way to grab the reader's attention and hopefully provide the reader with enough to return for a second issue. The issue isn't perfect as there are some questions, specifically about the ending that might confuse readers, but overall this is a charming and fun first issue.
You probably know the super hero story by now in terms of Marvel standards. Young person has a tough time at home, is an outcast in their personal life, except for one or two close friends, a confused character that has some level drama to overcome in their life. Then one day they get bit by a spider, discover their mutant power is valued at the Xavier School or gets injected with super soldier serum. This comic follows the same path but uses ethnicity as the driver for the differences. The lead character has traditional parents for their religion and culture that clashes with the new world they live in. Sprinkle in some teenage rebellion and you have an opening issue.
Kamala is a sixteen year old girl growing up under a Pakistani roof in America. She is also an Avenger groupie, but she aspires to fit in with the cool kids. She's an energetic character and has some terrific dialogue to give her a distinct voice in this opening issue. The character has tremendous potential and it has nothing to do with the religion aspect of her backstory. I now need to spoil the ending so be warned.
The oddity here is that by the issue's end, Kamala transforms from the ethnic teenager into the blond bombshell that is Ms Marvel. Not being familiar with the powers and what they do to a person this could come across as a bait and switch. Here you spend an entire issue building up this character only to swap her out on the final page for the standard same-old-same-old and without so much as an explanation. Those checking this issue out because of the diversity aspect will probably be confused and disappointed.
The artwork is very fitting for the issue. There is a softer look to the characters and coloring that works well for the innocence of the main characters. The issue has a sequence where Kamala is siting with her family around the dinner table and the art captures the facial expressions against the dialogue very well. Overall, this style is a good one for a comic focuses on the day to day life of a teenage girl.
The opening issue is a good one. The backstory doesn't break any new ground except that involves an uncommon ethnicity. The ending is confusing if you are unfamiliar with the powers and transformation into the title character but it might not matter to every reader. Overall, the main character is a charming one and if the book focuses on her secret identity more than her super-hero alter ego then the book will be a hit. This is worth picking up.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
