Dustin Gebel
In predictable fashion, the news of Ms. Marvel’s return comes only two days after her ‘funeral’ issue, with the reveal that a mutant Kamala Khan is returning to the Marvel universe. Relaunching under the banner of Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant this August, the character is being retconned to being both a mutant and Inhuman. The resurrection will come as part of this year’s Hellfire Gala, a now annual event that carries the connotation of big changes for the larger Marvel Universe.
In the announcement published by Entertainment Weekly, writer Iman Vellani discussed this new status quo:
“I want to make it very, very clear that we are not reconning her Inhuman origin. That’s a part of Kamala’s identity that Marvel editorial and myself would very much like to keep and protect. Our book will absolutely reflect all those core themes of identity that the Ms. Marvel comics have consistently explored — only now there’s a whole new label that Kamala has to learn to accept. It’s going to be pretty crazy.”
The series will be written by Iman Vellani, the actress who brought the character to life in her Disney+ series, and Sabir Pirzada, a staff writer for the Disney+ series and recent scribe of Ms. Marvel’s Dark Web tie-in. Artists Carlos Gomez and Adam Gorham will illustrate the book while Sara Pichelli will provide covers, while artist Jamie McKelvie contributes Ms. Marvel’s new X-Men costume.
Vellani also discussed taking on the role of comic writer:
“This was way scarier than joining the MCU for me. Those projects feel like they live in their own dimension, so I guess I can separate myself easier. But you can hold a comic book! I’ve never written anything before in my entire life, but I have read many comics, so I just wrote what I would want to read. I was given a very professional tool to write what is essentially my own fan fiction.”
After Kamala’s death in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, skeptical readers immediately saw the editorial push preparing the changes to the character. A short scene in an issue of X-Men teased Cyclops (who had a deep friendship with Khan and a group of young heroes thanks to time travel shenanigans) wanting to find a way to resurrect the character. Alongside the recent Fallen Friend one-shot, Marvel released a digital bonus scene that built on the tease, with Cyclops discussing the situation with Wolverine.
Introduced during an era where the X-Men were cast to the wayside due to split movie rights, Ms. Marvel became the new face of the Inhumans and a pivotal character in the larger universe, going on to join the first Avengers line-up post-Secret Wars. She would continue as a fresh face for readers to experience the Marvel universe, while also being minimized as her ongoing series would end and she was transitioned into a supporting character for the most recent Amazing Spider-Man relaunch.
Stay tuned to Comic Watch for more information about Ms. Marvel’s resurrection and new role in the Marvel Universe, along with continued coverage of the upcoming Hellfire Gala.
MARVEL: THE NEW MUTANT #1 (OF 4)
Written by IMAN VELLANI & SABIR PIRZADA
Art by CARLOS GÓMEZ & ADAM GORHAM
Cover art by SARA PICHELLI
Variant cover art by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
On Sale 8/30
