Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal in Around the World in 80 Books

Mar 06, 2017 Julie rated it really liked it

Really enjoyed! Gorgeous art, diverse characters and compelling storyline. Looking forward to reading more! #diversereads #resistlist #readharderchallenge

5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 18, 2015 alana rated it really liked it

Shelves: females-and-feminists, graphic-novels, young-adult, immigration, fantasy, sci-fi

As I mentioned in my Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon review, I’m a bit marveled out. Hollywood’s never-ending Marvel movie factory has me rolling my eyes and avoiding the cinema. All of the movies have been fun, but…gimme a break. Ms. Marvel, while situated in the Marvelverse, is a great intro to contemporary superhero comics, especially for young readers (of either gender). Though some other Marvel characters appear in the story and exist in this world, this volume doesn’t require you to k As I mentioned in my Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon review, I’m a bit marveled out. Hollywood’s never-ending Marvel movie factory has me rolling my eyes and avoiding the cinema. All of the movies have been fun, but…gimme a break. Ms. Marvel, while situated in the Marvelverse, is a great intro to contemporary superhero comics, especially for young readers (of either gender). Though some other Marvel characters appear in the story and exist in this world, this volume doesn’t require you to know anything about them in order to enjoy the new direction for the Ms. Marvel character.

Kamala Khan is a quirky, bumbling teenager growing up Pakistani-American in Jersey City. Like most young girls, she wants to push the boundaries of what her family considers acceptable behavior for women her age. Interestingly, she rebels against cultural restrictions (missing parties and sitting in a women-only section of her mosque) but still embraces some moral codes (like abstaining from alcohol and wanting to be more covered) as they reflect her comfort zones at this point in her life. During a (pseudo) rebellious night out, she *dumdumdum* gains super powers in a way that relates to her desire to be more awesome. Instant superherodom is complicated. Kamala must figure out how her powers work, how to control them, and how best to use them to help others. Oh, and she has to get her costume just right because girls. *smalleyeroll*

It’s interesting to note that the author, G. Willow Wilson, is a Caucasian woman who converted to Islam and is now writing a story about a woman of color growing up the child of Pakistani immigrants to the States. (Find that bit curious? So did I! Here’s a great interview with the author.) Ms. Marvel made a big splash as being the first major Marvel character to be Muslim. Her religious and cultural background serve to make her very real and relatable to any child who has grown up in a more conservative family or had labels placed on them by others (hello, everyone). I love seeing real girls in comics!

The art is super pretty. The colors are soft and watercolory feeling, the hair could be made of clay bits, and the noses are delightful.

If you don’t like superheroes at all, this book likely won’t convert you. If you are looking for a real girl who gets some super powers, this one’s for you.
...more

Like · see review

May 16, 2015 Ginger rated it did not like it

Perhaps comics just aren't my genre. This was my first, but the plot was thiiiiiinnn, the characters angsty, and the artwork so-so.

I get that I'm not the target audience, but I was not impressed. Juvenile and obvious. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 02, 2016 alana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: females-and-feminists, graphic-novels, reread

Just reread this in anticipation of finally reading volumes 2 & 3 I bought ages ago, and I liked it even more! My previous review was more thoughtful because babies but really Kamala is so relatable and likeable and now even more it's imperative to feature strong ladies, immigrant families, and Muslim communities positively in mass media formats. What's more all-American than a rebellious teenage girl challenging the high expectations of her parents by secretly fighting crime and defining who sh ...more

Like · see review

Dec 30, 2017 Nadine in NY Jones rated it liked it

Shelves: nj, graphic-novels-and-comics, young-adult, superheroes

This was ... ok.

I can see why it was such a sensation when it was published, because this is very much the superhero we need. She's just a regular, middle class Muslim, Pakistani-American girl from Jersey City, NJ. (Why the powers chose her over the hundreds of other people out and about in Jersey City that night is unclear. I guess that is made clear in future episodes?). Kamala and her family and friends are very appealing.

But ... at the same time ... I was kind of bored. Not much happens, ...more

Like · see review

Jun 07, 2015 Jean-Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: graphic-novel, young-adult, women, middle-grade, superhero, comic

My 11-year-old loves Ms. Marvel and put this in my TBR pile. I can definitely see the appeal. The new Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan, is a smart, kind, brave and curious Muslim teen. The story is off to a good start and has great artwork. And being a teen of the 80s I chuckled at the hat tip to Bill & Ted with "Strange things are afoot at the Circle Q." Nice one. Looking forward to Volume 2 after I fish it out of my TBR pile. :-) ...more

Like · see review

May 07, 2017 Jen rated it really liked it

The only reason I read this was because one of the categories in my reading challenge was "Superhero Comic with a Female Lead." However, I am so glad I did. I love that this story is about a Pakistani teenager who is just trying to fit in and learns that she is most powerful when she is being herself. What a great message for young girls. I am looking forward to possibly reading more. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 20, 2017 Katie rated it liked it

Shelves: female-author, graphic-novels

I wasn't totally into this, mostly because I'm not a big superhero fan. I liked the parts about Kamala's struggles with her parents and finding her identity, but didn't get so much into the Ms. Marvel parts. I think I could get a little more into the story as it progresses, so I'll keep reading future volumes. ...more

Like · see review

Jun 10, 2015 Laura (booksnob) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, graphic-novel, fantasy, 2015

Love this "shape-changing, mask wearing, sixteen-year-old Super "Moozlim" from Jersey City". A great new modern day, super cool, Superhero. I love Kamala Khan. ...more

Like · see review