Magnificent Ms. Marvel #1: Fists Like Boulders, Eyes Like Fire

The Magnificent Ms. Marvel lives up to the hype with an origin story packed full of raw emotion and classic superhero brawling!

Writer Saladin Ahmed had some undeniably large shoes to fill after taking over from Kamala Khan’s co-creators, G. Willow Wilson and Sana Amanat, but he has delivered spectacularly with Magnificent Ms. Marvel #1. We discover that the stories of Ms. Marvel’s heroism have traveled through the stars, and just like the alien child on a distant planet, readers are told the origins of Kamala Khan through the perspective of the Destined One. The interwoven narrative structure that both introduces this new chapter in Kamala’s life and catches readers up to speed works uniquely well.

Newcomers to Ms. Marvel will appreciate the willingness to introduce so many key points of her story in the first issue, but longtime fans will have plenty to pour over as her life seems to implode before her own eyes. The relationships Kamala has developed over the years are moving in new and exciting directions, but as Ms. Marvel’s popularity continues to grow and her presence is required all around the world, the secret she has kept from her family was poised to unravel at any moment. The family drama this creates is at the core of this issue’s success. The emotional impact of not only her secret being spilled, but also the condemnation of her actions by her parents, sets the stage for a series that seems determined to peak reader’s interest on every level.

Emotional developments aren’t the only thing this issue has going for it. The action-packed heroics from Ms. Marvel are presented magnificently (pun very much intended) by the creative team including Minkyu Jung, Juan Vlasco, Ian Herring and VC’s Joe Caramagna. Her powers offer plenty of opportunities to showcase great visuals and this team doesn’t disappoint. As they move through her abilities in different fights, we see that it isn’t just the story catching readers up. The visuals offer insight into her range of powers by showing just how much Ms. Marvel is capable of.

Though the passing of the torch from G. Willow Wilson to Saladin Ahmed is bittersweet, the quality of Magnificent Ms. Marvel #1 shows that the fan-favorite character is in great hands. The new series isn’t afraid to delve into her complicated family life and the raw emotions it inspires as well as the impact of her rise to fame as a superhero.

Hopefully the series can maintain this level of intrigue as it continues in the future, if so, things are looking very bright for Ms. Marvel!