Book Review: Ms. Marvel vol #1 (Marvel Now)

Book: Ms. Marvel volume #1: No Normal (issues #1-5) by G. Willow Wilson with illustrations by Adrian Alphona and color by Ian Herring and letters by VC's Joe Caramagna

Cover Art by Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor

Edition: Single Print Issues

Description:

Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation!

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City - until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she's comin' for you, New York! It's history in the making from acclaimed writer G. Willow Wilson and beloved artist Adrian Alphona!



Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Ms. Marvel volume #1 is so good that it's already one of your favorite reads. This first volume gives you the origin story of Kamala Khan as she becomes the latest superhero, Ms. Marvel.

What I love about these first five issues is you get to know Kamala before her transformation. You see that she's a typical 16 year old girl who is trying to figure out who she is. She not only wants to respect her parents but also stay true to her customs and culture. However she also wants to experience the same things that other kids her age are doing. She's conflicted and it caused her to disobey her parents and sneak off to a party.

She thought going to the party would be fun instead it was the complete opposite. As she left the party, she got caught along with anyone else outside, in a layer of mist. At that moment, everything changed for Kamala and her life would never be the same. Somehow, she got superpowers and was getting an unbelievable chance to be a hero.

Her first attempt came when she rescued one of her classmates but unfortunately the world somehow believes Captain Marvel did it. Thanks to Kamala's shape-shifting powers she accidentally transformed into Carol Danvers wearing her old Ms. Marvel costume.

That's the least of her concerns because as soon as she returned home, she was in big trouble. Her parents knew she had snuck out to attend the party. Well, they probably wouldn't have found out if her friend Bruno (who was at the party) had not called her house because he was worried about her after she left the party.

Being slightly grounded wasn't the worst thing especially since she's still trying to figure out her new powers which are causing her more problems than ever. From being grounded to getting detention after school the fun never stops for Kamala and avoiding her friend Bruno doesn't seem to be helping either.

However meeting up with her friend Bruno after school brought to light new discoveries and several issues such as how Kamala can become the hero she wants to be and Bruno's brother Vick is in some serious trouble.

She had a plan to help Vick but unfortunately she was unprepared and found herself in a situation she wasn't ready for. And after a difficult fight she needed to make a quick escape but losing wasn't going to stop her from helping Bruno's brother. However, what she needed now was a plan, a real costume and a little help in getting her ready for another attempt at saving Vick.

This was a fantastic read, it's an engaging story with great art. I love the writing, it has a good balance of action, drama and humor. The writer G. Willow Wilson did a great job with creating Kamala because despite gaining superpowers, she still comes across as a typical teenager who now has a new purpose of being a hero. 

I adore Kamala she's a dork who loves to write fanfiction and is a big Avengers fan but she quickly learned that being a hero is no simple task. There is a lot that goes into being a hero but it's something that she really wants to do. In these first five issues you see the toughness of who she is along with how scared she was with all the changes that were going on in her life. I love how focused and determined she can be yet still has this playful vibe.

This first volume of Ms. Marvel is an exciting adventure and if you're looking for something new to read this is a book I would like to recommend.