Part of the Summer Vibes Series (no Spoilers - So read on!) Created in 2013 (Captain Marvel #14), Ms. Marvel follows the life of a Jersey City teenager, Kamala Khan, who is dealing with balancing her faith, culture and the ambiguous maze of high school. She was the first Muslim character to headline a comic book in February 2014. Editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker, writer G. Willow Wilson, and artists Adrian Alphona and Jamie McKelvie won the Hugo award for best graphic story in 2015.
Fast track to 2018, and I happen to check out Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors. This is when I was introduced to the character and a small taste of Kamala’s life as a Muslim American Pakistani teenager. I was even more excited to hear a few years later they are doing a live action series when Disney+ was launched. So 5 weeks ago I sat down and watched the first episode after searching through YouTube and social media trying to learn more about the young actress, Iman Vellani, who portrays Ms. Marvel. Her enthusiasm and excitement joining the Marvel universe is really heartwarming. Even more impressive is her broad understanding of the character and the Marvel universe, which provides a more believable portrayal of the superhero. Since the beginning of the series, the directors, writers and show runners clearly are trying to focus on the Kamala’s deep cultural history as an Pakistani immigrant and Muslim. Paralleled with the heart wrenching choices her family has dealt with in leaving their homeland. Instead of trying to generalize and prevent any spoilers in this review, I suggest to focus on each episode as a moment to learn more about Kamala not as just a teenager, but a young Muslim dealing with the issues of being pulled by tradition vs. modern practicality. Every choice she makes, every encounter in high school is burdened by the responsibilities of being part of an immigrant Muslim family. There are expectations especially for 1st generation Muslim immigrants that they follow a certain way of life to honor their faith. Kamala has no memories of her homeland, yet everyday she is reminded in some ways, she is a foreigner by her own family. It is a perplexing dichotomy that is so prevalent in American Muslim homes. She is expected to succeed — study, work hard and make good choices. But don’t forget, you aren’t really American, you are Muslim. Don’t pick up their “haram (sinful)” habits which can be something as simple as going to a public event. In Episode 1, Kamala designs a Captain Marvel costume that doesn’t show any part of her body; yet, her mother feels it’s too revealing. I kept thinking, “Nuns wear less! 😂” Some of the best moments was the everyday antics Kamala dealt with her family and very extended “Aunties.” A great scene in Episode 3 I found so endearing was when Kamala was consoling with the Iman (Mosque religious leader) if being a superhero was a good thing for her and her community. He simply states “Good is not a thing you are, Kamala - it is a thing you do.” Ms. Marvel is a tremendous step in Muslim and Pakistani representation. Not because of the fantastical action scenes and mythology it tells, but for the simple moments that brings the nuances of Kamala’s relationship with her family and friends. Available on Disney+ 1st season (6 episodes)
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