This rating might surprise even the casual comic reader, as the Kamala Khan version of Ms. Marvel is generally lauded and respected as a fun character and a breath of fresh air. While I would give the charming Kamala (and her dad) five stars, I didn’t enjoy the slow storyline of volume one. I also don’t like the art in the book. Alphona is a definitely talented artist; I simply would’ve chose a different art style for the book (more like this or this).
For those unfamiliar – last year, readers were introduced to Kamala Khan. She is a typical teenager dealing with her protective parents, friends, high school drama, and living in in a world with superheroes and villains. She also happens to be Muslim. (She is basically the spiritual successor of the classic Peter Parker Spider-Man – a teenager on the fringes of popularity with everyday problems.)
One night, a mysterious fog seems to give Khan superpowers. She takes the form of Ms. Marvel/Capt. Marvel/Carol Danvers and saves some bougie jerks at her high school from drowning. The rest of the book explores a mystery impacting the family of one of her friends, as well as Kamala’s relationship to her own family and her new powers. While I enjoyed meeting a lot of the characters, the combination of a slow story and art that was not for me made this book a “sell at Half Price Books” title.
However, Kamala is funny, witty, and charming. It’s rare for a character to “pop” so immediately, but Kamala Khan does. She feels like a friend. I was glad to see her in S.H.I.E.L.D. and Avengers comics, because she’s great. I will continue to follow the character in other Marvel titles, but probably not in this one.
It’s funny how you had the exact opposite reaction to the art I did. I think those two links you provided completely strip Kamala of her personality, and make her much more classically beautiful. Alphona is the main series artist, but he does swap out occasionally with other artists. You may like those better.
“I think those two links you provided completely strip Kamala of her personality, and make her much more classically beautiful.” I wondered that, too, when I was reading. Ultimately, my issue was the color selection and Alphona’s style, which I find unnerving (I also didn’t like Gotham Knight, Aeron Flux, some Animatrix). Ironically, I think Alphona would’ve been great in G. Willow Wilson’s “Air”.
I haven’t read Air yet. I heard it’s great.