Ms. Marvel Episode 1 is the first instalment of an American superhero television miniseries created by Bisha K. Ali for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics featuring the character Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel. Iman Vellani stars as the titular character, a High School Muslim girl who is obsessed with superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), especially Captain Marvel.
S P O I L E R S
Entitled “Generation Why”, Ms. Marvel Episode 1 is a pivotal series for the MCU as it spotlights the younger generation of superheroes that will take the MCU into a viable future, even as the first wave of the Infinity Saga slowly becomes a relic of a different age. While younger MCU superheroes have been introduced in other media e.g. Kate Bishop (Hawkeye), Yelana Belova (Black Widow), this is the first time one of the new generation has headlined a series.
READ OUR ANALYSES OF MOON KNIGHT.
In addition, of course, Ms. Marvel Episode 1 introduces the first MCU Muslim superhero and this episode provides a diverse perspective that is seldom seen in the superhero genre, and along with Moon Knight, opens up a new world of opportunity for the MCU. It is a delight to see Pakistani culture being placed in a positive spotlight. A welcome and refreshing development.
Of course, the series has taken certain liberties with the Ms. Marvel character and deviations are noted in her powers and origins. In the comics, Ms. Marvel is an Inhuman and her powers are similar to that of Mr. Fantastic – she is able to manipulate her body. Now in this series, she is more like DC’s Green Lanterns coming into possession of a bangle (?) that grants her the ability to harness cosmic energy and create constructs. Yes, quite an ‘eye roll’ moment but certainly, subsequent episodes need to make that work but so far so good!
… still there’s more …