Given how much I have championed G. Willow Wilson's run of Ms. Marvel, I thought the last volume was a bit of a step-down as the series was coinciding with Marvel's big event of 2016, Civil War II, which caused repercussions for beloved characters. Fortunately, things have improved for the book, which during this volume hasn’t changed the status quo, but continue to showcase Kamala Khan going through everyday problems with friends and family, whilst being Jersey City's very own Ms. Marvel.
This volume opens off with politics as issue #13 (drawn by Mirka Andolfo) focuses on a sudden redistricting of Jersey City to give Chuck Worthy, an agent of HYDRA, an edge in the mayoral election. Although her first instinct is to give a physical beatdown towards Chuck, Kamala eventually uses her status as Ms. Marvel to get people to turn out and vote instead.
Lacking in superhero action, the true superpower within this issue is the power of people and how their voices can change their homes for the better. As a deliberate allegory of the 2016 US presidential election, which obviously led to disastrous results, this isn’t an entirely great tale as you might be divided on whether you think this is inspirational or preachy.
However, the central arc within this volume reminds what this series is about how it embraces diversity and presents a witty and honest depiction of the youthful generation that Kamala is part of. What begins with Kamala playing as a guild member for the MMORPG, World of Battlecraft, another member reveals he's discovered her secret identity and is willing to release all the secrets of Jersey City's youth to the public until he gets what he wants.
Given the comic's use of an MMORPG set within a fantasy world is reminiscent of South Park's Warcraft episode, whilst the virus itself goes ridiculous comic book territory that doesn't make sense, Wilson keeps the whole thing emotionally engaging in exploring the multiple identities of an individual, not just Kamala. It is credited to Takashi Miyazawa, who seems to be the primary artist for the series, in balancing superhero action and high school drama with his unique manga sensibility, whilst having some fun in illustrating the fantasy creatures of World of Battlecraft.
It is in the drama of the high schoolers that brings out the best of the series, in particular Zoe Zimmer, who started off as a bully at the very first issue and has grown throughout, such as developing certain feelings for Nakia. Although it sets up turmoil for Zoe in how these feelings could be publicised for the wrong reasons, the revelations are both heartbreaking and uplifting and how that motivates Kamala to do the right thing is truly inspiring, as well as leading to a brilliantly hilarious team-up in the climax of the arc.
Having moved away from Jersey City to Wakanda, the final issue shows Kamala's former best friend Bruno in his own adventure as a student for a prestigious science school in the African nation. Although it is a fun issue that departs from the streets of Jersey City as Kamala never appears and doesn't say anything new about the central friendship, we get a great visualisation of Wakanda, drawn by Francesco Gaston, and gives some excitement for the upcoming Black Panther movie.
Following Civil War II, Kamala Khan has never felt more alone and yet throughout the course of this volume, she has learned to help and join others who feel alone in their own world as G. Willow Wilson has strong messages to explore and although some might see it as preachy, there is something uplifting about the continuing adventures of Ms. Marvel.