A while back, Marvel released a “Ms.” teaser with no context, and we lightly speculated on what it could be. Well, we were wrong — it is a new “Ms. Marvel” book, though we got the person wrong, and it stars a brand new character.
Assumedly following suit with “Nova” by introducing a classic character with a new legacy, it was announced at the New York Times that G. Willow Wilson will be writing a brand new “Ms. Marvel” ongoing, starring a brand new Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan, a Pakistani teenage Muslim girl living in Jersey City. And just as “Captain Marvel” was born out of Steve Wacker wanting Marvel to have a book he could give his daughter, Kamala’s origin was birthed from Wacker discussing with Sana Amant (another Marvel editor) about a childhood anecdote from her past and working that into the idea of a new heroine.
Kamala will have the ability to change shape, and decides to take on the code name Ms. Marvel as a tribute to Carol, who is Kamala’s idol. Hiring Wilson into the Marvel fold to tell her story also seems like a slam dunk, because she seems like a good fit for a young teen heroine adventure book (especially after something like “Air,” which I for one enjoyed from what I remember). While no artist is yet mentioned on the book, I’d say Wilson and the character of Kamala herself are already a good selling point.
The book certainly checks off a number of boxes of what we’ve been looking for in terms of diversity in comics, so hopefully the book is an honest attempt to a) introduce a new lasting character into the Marvel U and b) help make things in comics a bit less white and a bit less male all the time. I bring the comparison I made earlier about “Nova” back, but it seems to me that that is a good template given its initial critical acclaim and its continued success in the comics field (it’s one of my favorite new Marvel titles). If “Ms. Marvel” can get down the enthusiasm “Nova” has and give us a new and diverse character in comics, everyone wins.
“Ms. Marvel” launches in February.
Update: And Adrian Alphona is officially confirmed as the artist, which makes total sense because the above character picture looks just like an Alphona illustration. But here, have some more:
If you listen closely, you can hear the sounds of a thousand fanboys and fangirls getting their pre-order on.
Here’s the official press release from Marvel:
Marvel Comics Press Release
This coming January, Marvel Comics will continue to break new ground in its rich storytelling history as it launches the new monthly Ms. Marvel debuting as part of the Company’s popular All-New Marvel NOW! initiative. The All-New Marvel NOW! Launch provides readers and fans with accessible stories of their favorite characters, and in the case of Ms. Marvel, stunning new characters to delve into and explore. The All-New Ms. Marvel will be introduced in January in a special All-New Marvel NOW! Point One Comic Book in advance of the Marvel NOW! Ms. Marvel dedicated series in February 2014.
Ms. Marvel will center on 16-year-old Kamala Khan, a Muslim-American teenager living in Jersey City, New Jersey. Like any teenager, all of her opportunities are in front her and she is full of potential, but her parents’ high expectations come with tons of pressure and has led Kamala to carve out a future that she has little interest in.
“At her core, Kamala is just a 16-year-old girl, exploring the many facets of her identity when she is suddenly bestowed with super-human powers that send her on the adventure of a lifetime,” says Marvel Comics Editor In Chief Axel Alonso.
The series, and its central character, are brought to life by an all-star creative team, led by acclaimed novelist and multi-Eisner nominee, G. Willow Wilson (Air, Mystic, Alif The Unseen). Her writings about modern religion have appeared in such outlets as New York Times’ Magazine and The Atlantic. Critically-acclaimed artist Adrian Alphona (Runaways, Uncanny X-Force) brings his vivid artistry to the project capturing the vibrantly rich and kinetic world in which Kamala lives.
Continued belowSeries editor, Sana Amanat, states, “The inspiration for the new Ms. Marvel series stemmed out of a desire to explore the Muslim-American diaspora from an authentic perspective and yet, this story isn’t about what it means to be a Muslim, Pakistani or American. Those are just cultural touchstones that reflect the ever changing world we live in today. This is ultimately a tale about what it means to be young, lost amidst the expectations bestowed upon you, and what happens when you get to choose.”
Writer, G. Willow Wilson, “I wanted Ms. Marvel to be true-to-life, something real people could relate to, particularly young women. High school was a very vivid time in my life, so I drew heavily on those experiences–impending adulthood, dealing with school, emotionally charged friendships that are such a huge part of being a teenager.” Willow continues, “It’s for all the geek girls out there, and everybody else who’s ever looked at life from the fringe.”
Every FIRST ISSUE bearing the All New Marvel NOW! branding includes a code for a free digital copy of that same comic on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices.
Once again, the biggest creators bring you the biggest characters in the biggest stories…and it’s happening NOW!
Ms. Marvel #1 blasts off this February! For more on Ms. Marvel & All-New Marvel NOW!, please visitnow.marvel.com and join in the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #MsMarvel.
