Ms. Marvel #1 Story: G. Willow Wilson Art: Takeshi Miyazawa and Adrian Alphona Release: November 18, 2015 Rating: 4.5/5 Long Boxes "The internationally-beloved, butt-kicking, smack-talking, most adorable super hero makes her triumphant return. Look out world, Kamala Khan is back and officially an Avenger! Yup, the dream to end all dreams has happened for Kamala. She's toe to toe with the best of the best, but will being one of Earth's mightiest heros be everything she imagined? Is being a celebrity hero as wonderful as Kamala has hoped? Plus: WHO IS THAT WITH BRUNO?? Welcome back, Kamala Korps. We missed you!" |
It has been an interesting experience over the last couple of months sorting through the wave of All-New, All-Different Marvel comic books trying to determine which books I want to read monthly, which books I can wait for until they are eventually uploaded to Marvel Unlimited, or frankly, which books will not be worth my time. Ms. Marvel is a title I can say is safe on my pull list for the foreseeable future and you should continue to make a spot for it on yours. Ms. Marvel is a great illustration of how the 8 month fast forward in the Marvel universe can be successful. Sure, maybe this isn’t entirely All-New and All-Different, but the changes to Kamala Khan’s status quo are captivating for old readers of Ms. Marvel and those jumping in on this first issue.
The charm of G. Willow Wilson’s writing continues in issue #1 of All-New, All-Different Ms. Marvel and will have the same attractiveness for old readers. For those looking to jump into Ms. Marvel, this is an O.K. #1 to hop into (or just read the previous run, it's not that long and it's fantastic). It is a continuation of the previous run, but I think you can pick up enough in this first issue to get to know Kamala to still enjoy the book as a new reader. But seriously, it's not very many issues, go read the entire previous run.
The best news for Kamala is she became a FREAKIN’ Avenger during the previous 8 months However thrilled Ms. Marvel may be, being an Avenger presents its own challenges for Kamala. I love the fact that Kamala as a member of the Avengers, the greatest superhero team on earth (or at least earth 616), still has to be home by curfew. In addition to any Avenger’s threats that are going to be thrown Ms. Marvel’s way, Kamala has plenty on her own plate. “And the thing about a problem of plenty is… it’s still a problem”. In this first issue Kamala is presented with new struggles affecting her on a scale ranging from her social circle to a threat to all of Jersey City. Some problems will be external threats we would expect for any Avenger superhero, whereas others will come from the fact that Kamala is a teen, trying to balance the stresses of her day to day life and those related to her secret identity as Avenger, Ms. Marvel. The series will present an interesting blend of challenges for Kamala as she struggles with her relationships, the changes in her life, and of course those pesky global threats the Avengers have to respond to.
The charm and humor that made this book so great before is definitely present with outstanding writing from Wilson. Kamala’s narration and the character dialogue is fantastic, as before, but for me, all of the little things in this book are what continues to make this title shine. Loki’s lightning golem’s are hanging around the school? As cross-walk attendants?! I love it. One of the best aspects from the last series was Wilson’s strong character development and use of a very unique social circle and cast of supporting characters. Those relationships continue to be explored and developed in this first issue as Wilson continues her strong characterization. Art is of course solid. Although there is an artist shift on page 21 (Miyazawa 1-21, Alphona, 21-30), I was so engrossed in the story on my first read through that I didn’t notice until I went back through a second time. Strong use of character expression, a unique style (for both artists), and great coloring throughout make for a very well rounded and solid art team that makes Ms. Marvel a treat for the eyes.
The Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 long boxes. A great read, as expected. Ms. Marvel is such a likeable and fun book with strong writing and great art that has a unique feel compared to your standard superhero comic book. If you haven’t explored the wonderful series that is Ms. Marvel go back and read the previous run. It will be well worth your time. This is a series well deserving of any long box.
The charm of G. Willow Wilson’s writing continues in issue #1 of All-New, All-Different Ms. Marvel and will have the same attractiveness for old readers. For those looking to jump into Ms. Marvel, this is an O.K. #1 to hop into (or just read the previous run, it's not that long and it's fantastic). It is a continuation of the previous run, but I think you can pick up enough in this first issue to get to know Kamala to still enjoy the book as a new reader. But seriously, it's not very many issues, go read the entire previous run.
The best news for Kamala is she became a FREAKIN’ Avenger during the previous 8 months However thrilled Ms. Marvel may be, being an Avenger presents its own challenges for Kamala. I love the fact that Kamala as a member of the Avengers, the greatest superhero team on earth (or at least earth 616), still has to be home by curfew. In addition to any Avenger’s threats that are going to be thrown Ms. Marvel’s way, Kamala has plenty on her own plate. “And the thing about a problem of plenty is… it’s still a problem”. In this first issue Kamala is presented with new struggles affecting her on a scale ranging from her social circle to a threat to all of Jersey City. Some problems will be external threats we would expect for any Avenger superhero, whereas others will come from the fact that Kamala is a teen, trying to balance the stresses of her day to day life and those related to her secret identity as Avenger, Ms. Marvel. The series will present an interesting blend of challenges for Kamala as she struggles with her relationships, the changes in her life, and of course those pesky global threats the Avengers have to respond to.
The charm and humor that made this book so great before is definitely present with outstanding writing from Wilson. Kamala’s narration and the character dialogue is fantastic, as before, but for me, all of the little things in this book are what continues to make this title shine. Loki’s lightning golem’s are hanging around the school? As cross-walk attendants?! I love it. One of the best aspects from the last series was Wilson’s strong character development and use of a very unique social circle and cast of supporting characters. Those relationships continue to be explored and developed in this first issue as Wilson continues her strong characterization. Art is of course solid. Although there is an artist shift on page 21 (Miyazawa 1-21, Alphona, 21-30), I was so engrossed in the story on my first read through that I didn’t notice until I went back through a second time. Strong use of character expression, a unique style (for both artists), and great coloring throughout make for a very well rounded and solid art team that makes Ms. Marvel a treat for the eyes.
The Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 long boxes. A great read, as expected. Ms. Marvel is such a likeable and fun book with strong writing and great art that has a unique feel compared to your standard superhero comic book. If you haven’t explored the wonderful series that is Ms. Marvel go back and read the previous run. It will be well worth your time. This is a series well deserving of any long box.