This review is part of Melody’s Summer Reading: Diversity Spotlight. Enjoy!
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson
Illustrated by Adrian Alphona
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Marvel
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0785190219
Source: Library
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Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City – until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she’s comin’ for you, New York! It’s history in the making from acclaimed writer G. Willow Wilson (Air, Cairo) and beloved artist Adrian Alphona (Runaways)!
I FINALLY got my hands on Ms. Marvel again after checking it out in stores earlier this Spring, having sought it out as I browsed before an in store event. I started reading it then and have been thinking about it ever since so it’s great to finally finish reading the first five issues of this comic! It’s safe to say I’m very much anticipating reading the next volumes and being caught up, waiting on new releases soon!
As a Jersey girl, born and raised, it was awesome to have the setting be Jersey City. As a minority, particularly a POC, it was even more amazing to have a POC as the main character of a comic book! And it just keeps getting better because the writer of this comic is female and Muslim, just like our main character, Kamala so to have these marginalized perspectives as the main voice… it’s so very much refreshing and appreciated because it’s so unfortunately rare. I related as a Jersey girl, as a female, as a POC. I’m not Muslim but as someone of faith, I related to the restrictions of religion and not understanding the freedom in discipline and grace and the desires of one’s heart. I can’t say enough how much I appreciated this exploration here.
There are so many things that I loved and appreciated about this volume! The relationship dynamics were really complex and I can’t wait to read more and dig even deeper because we are just beginning to know these fiercely compelling characters. Notably, we’re introduced to Zoe, a mean girl in school and she is such a great representation of the privileged who think they’re doing others a favor by being what they perceive to be a generous human being. There are many more characters that I was struck by but I thought Zoe was definitely worth mentioning.
The social ladder that Kamala is on in school is just another reminder of the never ending arc for all of us when it comes to accepting the skin you’re in and all that comes with it (culture, upbringing, etc…) as well as embracing the action that comes behind one’s faith. So often, the actions people take because of their faith are misunderstood, if even acknowledged. No matter one’s faith (or lack of), we all live our lives differently according to what we believe and seeing that so fearlessly, so unapologetically laid out, that was beautiful.
I can’t talk about this without of course getting into the superhero aspect! I loved that as we watch Kamala before and after her gaining her super powers, we see her struggle with the expectations people have of her while also dealing with the new reality of discovering her newfound strengths. Watching her become more selfless even when it means sacrificing trust and certain truths from certain people dear to her was tough and scary but maybe, possibly necessary. I also love that early on we see the power dynamics between females and males and how that ridiculousness of underestimating females will always be challenged. Feminism. Yes. Kamala has the power to shape shift but she also has the power to adapt to what’s necessary, whether it be small and present or be greater both in strength and in size and if that metaphor isn’t something to marvel at, I don’t know what is.
Of course, I must also mention that I adored the nods to fan fiction and social media and I often found myself chuckling throughout so yes, there is a small comedic edge. I love the tone of this story; it’s a drama but there’s room to play and I love that. It’s so much fun. And we’re just getting started. I do need to read Captain Marvel though so I can better understand the connection between the two as I am definitely on board for reading the continuation of Ms. Marvel and I know I’ll enjoy the series more with as much information regarding the groundwork of this story as I can gather. I’m highly anticipating more developments with these characters and their seemingly ordinary but wildly fascinating lives and I can’t wait to read more.
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson, Illustrated by Adrian Alphona is available today.