Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adam Kubert, alex ross, Captain America, Cory Petit, David Mccaig, Iron Man, Mahmud Asrar, Mark Waid, Ms. Marvel, Nova, Sonia Oback, Spider-Man, Thor, Vision
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Adam Kubert
Colour art by Sonia Oback
Letters by VC’s Cory Petit
Cover by Alex Ross
Published by Marvel
‘You’re a Jerk!’
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Mahmud Asrar
Colour art by David Mccaig
Letters by VC’s Cory Petit
£3.60
With a team like that on the book, not to mention a team like this IN the book, most of you will be inclined to pick this up without any words from me.
Go do it, it’s GREAT.
Need convincing anyway? Okay. Waid gets these characters on a level few other authors do. The absolutely killer cold open confirms that, but it’s the interplay between Sam and Tony that will sell you. One is a man wearing the shoes of a mentor he’s estranged from, the other is…well…kind of broke right now. Both of them are starting from zero and Waid cleverly sets up a playful friendship between the two that’s very different to that between Steve and Tony. It’s closer in tone to the Ollie/Hal ‘Hard travelling heroes’ era from DC. Two guys, both with lots to prove, both with little to rely on but each other.
That need for these characters to do something bigger than them looks to be the foundation stone of this new team. Along with that other classic Avengers motivation; crisis management. Waid cleverly folds the aftermath of Secret Wars into the story, giving the characters a motivation, foe and serious problems all in the space of a few pages. He also hands us the single best Iron Man suitup sequence you’ll see in comics this year. All of which is presented with precision, subtle colouring by Oback and almost casually impressive detail by Kubert. This really is a ludicrously good looking book with plenty of narrative muscle under the hood.
But the story that stays with you is the backup. On paper it’s deceptively simple; Nova tracks a monster to Jersey City, Ms Marvel helps out, they bicker. What makes it brilliant is the way Waid refuses to back down from the hormonal apocalypse that is adolescence. These are arguably the two sweetest natured characters in the Marvel universe right now and they do almost nothing but piss each other off even as they’re frantically trying to do ANYTHING ELSE. It’s an incredibly accurate account of teenage horror, and the chemistry between the two is all the sweeter for how vastly bad they both are at it. Plus Asrar’s art is just flat out stunning. It’s got an open, friendly quality to it but with clever character work that Mccaig’s colour work really helps bring out and Petit’s letters land with crushing accuracy. You will cringe at how badly these kids mess up around each other. I certainly did.
Another strong entry in the relaunched Avengers titles, this has buckets of heart, a ton of humour and gets a lot done in its first issue. Highly recommended.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adrian Alphona, Bruno, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Kamala Khan, Marvel, Ms. Marvel, VCs Joe Caramagna
Written by G.Willow Wilson
Art by Adrian Alphona
Colour art by Ian Herring
Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel
There’s a reference in the letters page to ‘season two’ of the book and I can’t wait, because this is one of the best titles being published in the West right now. Seriously, if you want the sense of underdog joy, community and good natured heroics that Spider-Man embodied in the 1960s, then you need to be reading this. If you don’t, you need to be reading this anyway.
Because as season finales go, this is so perfect it could almost be a series finale.
Every dangling plot thread (With one notable, delightfully slobbery exception who we’re assured will be back) is tied up here. That, for completists, will be enough. But each one is landed with genuinely extraordinary humanity and kindness. This is a book about a group of people facing the end of the world with nothing they can do about it. But they live in Jersey, and the fireworks, as ever, are in New York. So they’ll deal as long as they need to. Even if it’s forever.
Every page here is beautiful. Alphona’s art is the most expressive it’s been and in an issue built entirely on character interactions it’s never looked better. There’s subtlety and intelligence behind each character, a sense that everyone is a real, well rounded person facing the end of the world in the best way they know. Herring’s colour work is just as impressive, especially in the final panels and Caramagna’s exuberant lettering lands every careful, precise syllable and the emotion behind them all.
But it’s the writing you remember, and the characters. I teared up three times in this issue, and it wasn’t even due to massive, colossal events. Rather it was the love that Wilson so clearly has for these people and the fact she takes such great care to not let anyone get left behind. Kamala’s parents get a perfect signoff, her occasionally forgotten best friend is reintroduced in a way that’s sweet and genuine and hilarious and, best of all, Kamala and Bruno have The Talk
Yeah.
That Talk.
If the book was going to fall down anywhere, it’s here. But there’s no petty drama, no people acting stupid for the sake of plot. Just two clever, compassionate teenagers on the last day of their lives telling each other the truth and being absolutely okay with the truth being complicated. It’s not just sweet natured it’s inspirational. A gentle, clear eyed, clever end to the first volume of a series defined by those three factors.
And humour.
And Doom Dogs.
But I digress. This is an amazing sign off for an amazing book. Please, if you bemoan the lack of joy in superhero comics, pick up the trades and introduce yourself to Kamala. Because she really is here to save the day.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adrian Alphona, Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Joe Caramagna, Kamala Khan, Kris Anka, Ms. Marvel
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Adrian Alphona
Colour Art by Ian Herring
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover by Kris Anka
Published by Marvel
£2.20
I’m writing about a lot of poetry this week. The Hollow Men by TS Eliot is the poem you quote if you can’t quote The Second Coming. The last stanza in particular is very powerful:
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
That’s what’s happening in Ms Marvel, or at least, what’s threatening to. By cleverly avoiding the Battleworld plot, Wilson’s script focuses on what matters the most to Kamala; her family and friends and neighbourhood. She’s a classic, street level superhero, standing her corner even as it evaporates around her. And this time she’s got backup.
Carol Danvers’ arrival in the book is glorious for two reasons. The most obvious is it gives Kamala a chance to fangirl as the world ends but the subtler reason is also the more poignant. Carol’s been doing this far longer and she knows what Kamala doesn’t quite yet; sacrifices have to be made if you’re going to keep going. This is the most serious, saddest version of Carol we’ve seen in a while and Wilson cleverly shows us why. It’s not just that she’s terrified of what’s coming, it’s that she’s genuinely scared for this glorious, sweet-natured, huge hearted kid who’s sort of borrowed her old name. The scene with the cats here is their relationship in a nutshell; Kamala desperate to help everyone, Carol desperate to keep her together so she can help some people. It’s clever, funny, poignant stuff and I powers every page of this issue.
As does the sheer, sugar-rush joy of Kamala finally getting to cut loose. The patrol scenes are especially great, and Alphona’s combination of Carol’s military precision and Kamala’s gangly energy is funny even before they start talking. For all the damage, Kamala’s blossoming as the world ends and the panel where she describes herself as being ‘WEIRD AND AWESOME!’ is about the best mission statement the book has ever had. Alphona and Herring have done brilliant work through this series to date but this issue is some of their very best so far, especially in the scenes where Kamala’s redirecting neighbourhood criminals to help rather than loot. Caramagna’s letters match their energy beat for beat and the result is a book that shares the exuberant, desperate compassion of its heroine. The world may be ending, but Kamala Khan’s still on watch. Don’t mess with Jersey and don’t mess with Ms Marvel.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adrian Alphona, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Kamala Khan, Marvel, Ms. Marvel, VCs Joe Caramagna
Written by G Willow Wilson
Art by Adrian Alphona
COlor art by Ian Herring
Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel
£2.20
I’m a script nerd, you may have noticed, and the way this one is built is really intriguing. It opens with, flat out, the best joke the series has ever done. It’s both an extended riff on the ‘tasty tasty infidel meats’ moment from the very first issue and a beautiful way of keying us in on Kamala’s emotional state. It closes with a moment of raw emotional honesty mixed with delicious ambiguity. The middle is a parade of what could be sign offs for the various characters or an indicator of just how much good Kamala’s done. Or both. It’s difficult to tell anything other than just how good it is and, right now, the answer to that question is ‘extremely’.
This is one of the ‘Last Days’ stories Marvel are doing for some titles, to transition them from the old world, over Secret Wars, into the new. For Kamala, and her book, it’s the first big event they’ve really been caught up in and Wilson uses that in a very clever way. This is the first issue where Kamala falls apart, just a little. It’s too big, too huge to deal with. She’s a teenager from Jersey with weird stretchy powers and the world’s ending. What can she do?
Like I say, the question is more ‘what has she inspired others to do?’ and in a series of neat moments, Wilson shows us just how adopted Kamala has been by her community. She’s a Jersey girl through and through and when she can’t deal, her friends and family will. In the hands of a lesser writer this would play as overwrought. Here it plays as realistic and courageous. Kamala falls apart a little because she can, her friends pick up the slack because they can and that last page…
Well, next issue should be even better. And have about 15000% more fan squee. Unless the last page guest appearance isn’t quite who it looks like…
Alphona and Herring do typically great work on the art and Herring in particular absolutely excels. There’s a sense of the sun going down on Earth 616 and that deep, rich set of tones gives everything more vibrancy and urgency. It’s a smart, gutsy move for a smart, gutsy story and Caramagna’s lettering is the icing on the cake. Each line has weight, each joke lands and the emotional state of every character is always crystal clear. The end result is another excellent issue in one of the best series being published anywhere right now. Smart, sweet, funny comics. Roll on the next issue.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adrian Alphona, Alasdair Stuart, Bruno, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Inhuman, Jacob Wyatt, Jamie Mckelvie, Kris Anka. Kamala Khan, Matthew Wilson, Ms. Marvel, VCs Joe Caramagna
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Jacob Wyatt (Issues 6 and 7) and Adrian Alphona (Issues 8-11)
Colour art by Ian Herring
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by Jamie Mckelvie & Matthew Wilson (Issues 6-9) and Kris Anka (Issues 10-11)
Published by Marvel
£11.99
The last time Marvel had a character with a rookie year this good, his second name was Parker. And you know what? I like Kamala much, much better. This book shows why.
Firstly, and centrally to this book, Kamala is a child of the 21st century. A New Jersey kid from a Pakistani family, she’s a nerd in a way that feels genuine. Kamala’s an immense superhero fangirl, idolizes Captain Marvel in particular, writes fanfiction, plays MMOs, the whole nine yards. Kamala is what we’d be if we lived in the Marvel universe and as a result she’s the most instantly relatable character Marvel have right now.
And yes, she’s a girl.
And yes, she’s Muslim.
Geek is a cultural community that likes to pay lip service to ‘everyone’s welcome here’ right around the time it starts telling people they can’t come in. Kamala, and her success, are the antithesis of that. She’s a geek in the purest, most open sense of the term. She’s us, and we’re her.
Secondly, she’s a teenager who’s actually written like a teenager. A huge part of this book revolves around not just Kamala’s age but how her generation feels. This may be the single piece of Millennial fiction that doesn’t want to make you, or them, gouge your own frontal lobes out. The idea that her generation of teenagers is incredibly connected, switched on and feels, somehow utterly distant from the world they’re inheriting is central to the book. The book, and Kamala, face this head on, acknowledge it and circumvent it. Everyone gets a say. Everyone gets agency. Everyone gets to decide who they are and what they do. Kamala’s heroism is grounded at least as much in her being the one to stand up and say that as it is in any villain she fights.
Thirdly there’s the lightness of touch when the book interacts with the Marvel universe. This volume sees Kamala find out where she got her powers, what that means for her and team up with Wolverine. The first two embody some of the best scripting I’ve seen in mainstream comics. Inside the first year, the main characters gets answers to her big questions and, like all good stories, they just lead to more questions. Wilson cleverly folds Kamala’s Inhuman status into her adolescence too, and one of the book’s sweetest moments comes when her not-quite (but working on it, kind of) boyfriend gently points out she really is from ‘a galaxy far, far away’. They’re both deeply weirded out by what they discover but, in the end, Kamala is still Kamala. She’s just coming into more focus, to herself, with everything she finds out. As for the Wolverine team up, it’s that rarest of beasts; one that makes sense. The interplay between the two is glorious and Wilson uses the arrival of the most famous mutant of all to throw new light on both him and Kamala. For Wolverine, this is very clearly a laying down of arms; he knows he doesn’t have long and he’s touched and heartened to see the next generation are as gutsy, kind-hearted and sensible as Kamala. For Kamala, SHE GETS TO TEAM UP WITH WOLVERINE and fangirls about it in the most adorable way.
Then there’s the moment below:
The entire scene with Sheikh Abdullah is wonderful but that line stands out for two reasons. The first is the straight-ahead, honest view of Islam that Wilson brings to the book. There’s no tub thumping, no hysteria one way or the other, just an ongoing dialogue with a complex faith from a complex human being. The second is simpler; that particular exchange is a perfect moment of fiction. Kamala is validated by the last person she expects to be, learning more about herself, Sheikh Abdullah and her faith as she does so. It’s the central moment in the entire Wolverine story and echoes down through the rest of the book. Kamala Khan is a hero and the people in her life who know, know her well enough to realize this is what she’s meant to do. That’s a Hell of a turn around, and an immensely welcome one, from the ‘I must shoulder this heroic burden alone’ nonsense that so many characters labour under. Kamala’s New Jersey’s girl, and New Jersey has her back whether it’s Sheikh Abdullah, the kids she rescues or the members of the JCPD.
Wyatt and Alphona’s art is loose, smart and clever stuff and Herring’s colours are rich and naturalistic. Caramagna’s lettering ensures multiple characters and dialogue types land with ease and Wilson’s script is never less than exceptional. This is one of the best teams working today, on one of the best books. Unique, immensely clever, very funny and crammed full of heart, Ms Marvel is the best superhero title on the market right now. Pick this, and the first volume up and find out why.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Agents of SHIELD, Alasdair Stuart, Chris Sprouse, Dono Sanchez Almara, Humberto Ramos, Karl Story, Mark Waid, Ms. Marvel, Phil Coulson, SHIELD, Sue Strange, The Fantastic Four, The Invisible Woman, VCs Joe Caramagna
Written by Mark Waid
Pencils by Chris Sprouse
Inks by Karl Story
Colours by Dono Sanchez Almara
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel
£2.85
Phil Coulson’s rolodex cycles round to Sue Storm. The Invisible Woman is the perfect agent for a hostage extraction in South Africa. But, from the moment Sue arrives, it becomes clear things are far more complex than they thought and she, and Phil, will need to go to some dark places, in every sense, to get the job done.
This is the best issue of SHIELD so far and, given the strength of the book to date, that’s saying something. A lot of that comes from Sprouse, whose precise, clean style is as good a fit as Humberto Ramos’ fluid lunacy was for the Ms Marvel issue. Like that story, the art embodies the themes of the story as well as illustrates it. Kamala’s story was a frantic live action cartoon romp, this is a precise, clinical dissection of a difficult situation, the one thing that haunts Sue Storm and the really crappy things Phil Coulson sometimes has to do. Sprouse’s detailed, minimalist work is perfect for that kind of thing and he’s backed up by some excellent, rich colour work by Almara and sharp, expressive inks from Karl Story. Caramagna, one of the best letterers working at present, does excellent work too.
Waid’s script is the definite star this time though. Waid has become an expert in using one single, short line to elicit a massive emotional response. Waid understands not just emotions, but when people have no choice to be emotionally honest and the conversation between Uatu and Nova about their dads in Original Sin 0 shows just how good he is at that. There’s a line Phil has here that’s better. It’s honest and perceptive, sweet and kind and absolutely crosses every line there is. He has no choice saying it, he’s not happy he said it and Sue’s even less happy, but it gets the job done. The follow up, on the final panel, even deepens the friendship between the two. Sue, who views her occasional SHIELD work as something she does just for her, clearly likes Phil a great deal but is less fond of his job. Phil, as we’ve seen, is a colossal fanboy and hates having to push one of Sue’s buttons. But he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again, and she knows that, and she knows he’s right. It’s complex, nuanced writing all done in three lines and it marks this series out as something genuinely special. Another assignment successfully complete for one of the most interesting books Marvel put out right now.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Alasdair Stuart, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Inhumans, Irma Kniivila, Joe Caramagna, Kamala Khan, Kamran, Kilotwatt, Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Takeshi Miyazawa
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Takeshi Miyazawa
Colour art by Ian Herring with Irma Kniivila
Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover by Marguerite Sauvage
Variant Cover by Noelle Stevenson
Published by Marvel
£2.20
Kamala Khan’s had a pretty great first year. There’s the whole superhero thing, the discovery of just where her powers came from and her successful defeat of her first arch nemesis. But now, things are far more different than Kamala thinks. Now she’s an Inhuman, and that means she’s part of a war she hasn’t even noticed yet. And worse still? She has to have dinner. With her family. AND their friends.
Willow Wilson’s script is consistently one of the highlights of this book and that’s true here. The reason why it’s a highlight is different though. Wilson found Kamala’s rhythm very early and the book has a lovely, distinctive voice. That’s present here too, right up until three events change her life forever. Then, Wilson uses those events to not only show far Kamala’s come but to take apart the book’s status quo in a way that’s as defining as it is chilling.
The nice event first; Kamran. Family friend, former nosepicker, current adorable geek studmuffin. There’s a wonderful shorthand that people who are instantly attracted to one another have and Wilson gets most of the book’s best jokes out of their interactions. Kamran is kind, smart, funny and somehow not perfect, meaning we like him just as Kamala does. Plus Kamala’s reaction when she sees him is hilarious and is a highlight of the book’s uniformly excellent art.
The second event is much less pleasant. Kamala gets into a fight with new villain Kilowatt and it gets ugly, fast. This is one of the smartest moments in the book to date as Kamala’s frustration at keeping her identity secret, the tension between her heritage and her upbringing and the rage every non-popular high school student has all bubbles over. She doesn’t do anything directly wrong and that somehow makes it all worse. Instead, she takes the only action she can, puts everything she has behind it and will undoubtedly be haunted by that choice. It’s a beautiful nexus point for her as a character, symptomatic both of her growing up and of the book stepping out into the Marvel universe’s larger picture. It’s also another example of the phenomenal art; with Miyazawa’s fluid, expressive lines backed up by the excellent colour work from Herring and Kniivila. Caramagna also really impresses here, shifting between Kamala’s thoughts and voice with ease and ensuring both punctuate the action.
Then there’s the third thing. Which is both infinitely better and worse than the other two. But that, you’ll have to read the book to find out. Trust me it’s worth it as this is an immensely strong start to a second year for one of the best books on the market right now.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Carlos Pacheco, Dono Almara, Edgar Delgado, H.E.N.R.Y., Humberto Ramos, Jason Paz, Jemma Simmons, Jessica Pizzaro, Joe Caramagna, Joe Quesada, Leo Fitz, Mariano Taibo, Mark Waid, Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Phil Coulson
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Carlos Pacheco (Issue 1) and Humberto Ramos (Issue 2)
Inks by Mariano Taibo and Jason Paz (issue 1) and Victor Olazaba (Issue 2)
Colours by Dono Almara (Issue 1) and Edgar Delgado (Issue 2)
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Design by Jessica Pizzaro
Fitz and H.E.N.R.Y. strips by Joe Quesada
£2.85
Phil Coulson has had a busy couple of years. He’s been a breakout pop culture sensation, dead, resurrected, the subject of a TV show and now finds himself pulling duty across multiple media. Coulson is now the Special Ops Supreme Commander of SHIELD and he and (some) of his agents, have made the leap across to comics in a big way. Based on these two issues they’ve got plenty to do.
In terms of structure, this book is as perfect as it could be. Single issue stories, each focusing on a different element of the Marvel universe, is a great way to not only make it as accessible as possible to new readers but to grandfather these characters into established continuity. There’s a lot of speculation over just what Marvel have planned for the near future of their universe and you’ll get no direct answers here. What you will get is a hint of the willingness they have to make things easy for readers and a lot of fun action beats.
Waid is the best possible candidate for this job and he nails Phil’s polite, calm manner from page one . He also folds in some welcome vulnerability and a neat extrapolation of something we’ve only seen hinted at before now. Phil Coulson is a fanboy, a man whose love for superheroics has led him to not only study them but put his brain to use to defend us against them when needed. That’s why he’s Phil. That’s why he’s an Avenger. He’s always the smartest and sweetest person in the room. No one does clever, kind, troubled souls like Waid and he’s on top form here. The entirety of issue 1, itself an apocalypse scale battle crammed with guest stars, is designed to show us how Coulson’s brain works and it’s extraordinarily clever. It also shows just how dangerous he is and, in doing so, proves his decency. Phil Coulson is a good guy, because if he wasn’t we’d all be in trouble.
That first issue is a great statement of intent and the second puts Coulson and his team next to Marvel’s breakout star, Kamala Khan. Humberto Ramos, a long time Waid collaborator has the perfect style for Kamala’s frantic life and there’s energy in every single panel. Where the first issue plays like an action movie, the second plays like a really good episode of a cartoon and a lot of the success in both cases is down to the art. Pizzaro and Caramagna impress throughout and Pacheco, Taibo, Paz and Almara bring a precision to the first issue that raises every character note. Meanwhile, Ramos, Olazaba and Delgado showcase not just the action but the heart of issue 2’s script. Kamala is one of the most genuine, sweet characters Marvel have on the roster and Waid cleverly uses both Coulson and Simmons to highlight that. The last scene in particular is one of the most unforced, sweetest moments in comics so far this year and, unlike Kamala’s school, every character walks away looking good.
If you like the TV series, then you’re going to like this book. If you like the TV series but can’t stand Ward or Skye, you’ll really like this book. It works as a gateway to the Marvel universe, does fun things with the TV and comic characters and is a showcase for some of the best artists working in the field. Also, most importantly, it’s fun and that’s what keeps Phil in his job, and me coming back for more.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adrian Alphona, Alasdair Stuart, Carol Danvers, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel, VCs Joe Caramagna
Written by G Willow Wilson
Art by Adrian Alphona
Colour art by Ian Herring
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel
£11.99
Kamala Khan is a desperately normal Muslim teenager who lives in New Jersey, dreams of eating hot dogs and is the largest Captain Marvel nerd on the planet. She’s smart, funny, endlessly compassionate and bored out of her skull. So, one night, she sneaks out to a party. That same night, Attilan falls over New York and the Terrigen Bomb is detonated. And, whilst Kamala doesn’t know that there is one thing she does know;
Everything’s changed. And it’s AWESOME.
This is the book of the year by a country mile. From the first panel of the first page G Willow Wilson makes Kamala instantly likable and sympathetic. She’s not a superhuman, doesn’t possess ridiculous wedge heels (Much as she covets them) and constantly rankle against her upbringing while still trying her best to honour it. She’s a good person on an average day who is handed something amazing. She’s us. We’re her. There are very few characters I’ve ever read who you root for so instinctively, so fast.
Wilson isn’t just focused on Kamala either. Her father is stern, endlessly compassionate and quite prepared to give his daughter room to figure herself out while her mother is endlessly concerned and, quietly, terrified of the gap she feels beginning to grow between them. Her brother is arguably the smartest subversion of expectation in the book but that’s worth finding out for yourself.
Outside the family, but only just, Kamala’s best friend Bruno is equally fun. Bruno’s smart, decent, has a lousy job and is desperately in love with her. He can’t look it in the eyes, she has no idea and again this could be cloying and sentimental. Instead it’s shot through with that sharp edged adolescent longing so many writers try for and so few get. As the pair of them learn about Kamala’s powers, their friendship intensifies and deepens but as of this volume, that’s all. Both have stuff to do. Hero stuff. Because make no mistake, Kamala Khan is the hero Jersey needs AND the hero it deserves.
On the art side of things Herring and Alphona are just as vital a part of Kamala’s origin. Alphona’s art is loose and relaxed and shines in the book’s numerous character moments whilst Herring’s colour work bathes Jersey in a palate of colours that’s deep, rich but still natural. Together they give the book a relaxed, naturalistic look that meshes perfectly with the story. Caramagna’s letters are the icing on the cake, walking you through the pages and making every line hit home.
This is a wonderful book. It’s really funny, has a heart a mile wide and is inventive, action-packed and most of all, fun. 2014 has been Kamala Khan’s year. Do yourself a favour, pick this up, and find out why.
Filed under: Exquisite Reviews | Tags: Adrian Alphona, Alasdair Stuart, Atilan, Black Bolt, Bruno, Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, Edison, G. Willow Wilson, Ian Herring, Infinity, Inhumans, Jamie Mckelvie, Kamala, Kamala Khan, Lockjaw, Marvel, Matthew Wilson, Medusa, Ms. Marvel, Terrigen bomb, Terrigen Mists, VCs Joe Caramagna, Vinatos
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Adrian Alphona
Colour art by Ian Herring
Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover by Jamie McKelvie and Matthew Wilson
Published by Marvel
£2.20
I talk a lot about Ms Marvel and there are three big reasons for that. The first is that it’s brilliant, a colossally smart, funny sweet superhero book unlike anything that’s gone before. The second is that it, along with Captain Marvel, She-Hulk and the other female-led Marvel books is going a long way towards forcibly rowing the company, and a big chunk of the industry, towards far more diverse, interesting and sustainable waters. The third reason is that even with a breakout success like this (A 7th printing of issue 1 is on the way which, if not unprecedented, certainly follows unprecedented on twitter) it’s possible people haven’t heard of it. Every issue is someone’s first so, let’s take a look at this one and see what we’ve got.
Kamala Khan is a New Jersey teenager and the biggest Captain Marvel fan on the planet. In the closing stages of Infinity, the last but one (And really very good) Marvel crossover, the Inhuman city of Atilan was being overrun. Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans, detonated the Terrigen bomb which spread the mists that trigger Inhumans out across the planet. Anyone with alien DNA in their ancestry was changed by exposure to the mists and, now, the Inhumans are functionally a second species, scattered worldwide.
And in Jersey.
Kamala’s abilities manifested as shape changing and mass control. Normally when someone’s abilities trigger there’s a period of trauma and recovery.Kamala Khan is a superhero fan, a gamer and a geek.
She’s GOT this.
So by this issue she’s gained a costume, a sidekick (Sort of),an arch nemesis (A really weird arch nemesis) and had her first legitimate team up, with Wolverine. Logan, in his final days, realized what had given Kamala her powers and quietly reached out to Medusa, the Queen of the Inhumans. Medusa did what any sensible ruler would do; sent her colossal teleporting hyper intelligent bulldog to help Kamala.
I did mention I loved this book, yes?
This issue is a perfect example of why. Wilson balances character, humour and plot with total ease, as Kamala fights a giant robot, is told the truth about her genetic heritage and not unreasonably is knocked on her ass by it. Wilson’s one of those writers talented enough to under write and Kamala’s slightly numb reaction, as well as her friend Bruno’s gentle takedown of it is both well written and really sweet. Where she’s from doesn’t matter. Who she is does. Plus, Wilson keeps it nicely ambiguous as to whether Kamala’s rebelling against Medusa’s orders is actually a rebellion or exactly what the monarch wants. There’s a complexity and refusal to let anyone off easily here and the final few pages embody that very neatly. Kamala may be a hero but that means she gets to make the tough choices whether she wants to or not.
On the art side of things, Alphona’s broad, friendly style is exactly what the books and his Lockjaw in particular is a colossal mouthed, inherently doggish delight. Herring’s colour art continues to be vibrant and beautiful whilst Caramagna’s lettering does everything right. Wrapped up in an excellent McKelvie and Wilson cover this is another fantastic issue in a strong contender for series of the year. Completely recommended.
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