Status
Available
Publication
Marvel (2014), 120 pages
Description
"Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City - until she's suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When 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 bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she's comin' for you, New York!"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member bragan
I'm not a fan of superhero comics, but I have a lot of friends who are, and I tend to hang out in circles where they're popular, so I manage to pick up a fair amount about them by sheer osmosis. And I'd certainly heard a lot of buzz about this one, mostly centered on the fact that the title
And I did enjoy it. Kamala is indeed a likeable, well-realized character, and the way she's written feels very clueful and real. There's some thematic stuff here, too, about the experience of being a child of immigrants, trying to figure out exactly how you fit in and how to be yourself when you're not quite like everybody else around you. It's not necessarily terribly subtle, but it's not clunky Afterschool Special stuff, either, and overall it works. The artwork is very well done, too.
I'm not sure, though, whether I'll continue reading this series or not. This was a pleasant read, and I'm happy enough to have made Kamala's acquaintance, but it hasn't instantly converted me into a fan of superhero comics.
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character is a Pakistani-American Muslim girl, which is is apparently a first in comics history, and a welcome step in making the superhero scene a little more diverse. Which struck me as a laudable thing, but wasn't enough to make me want to run out and read it. But then I also heard that the main character, Kamala Kahn, was a fun, somewhat geeky, pop-culture-savvy heroine, and that did make me more interested. And then this first collected volume just sort of showed up on my doorstep -- this is a thing that happens to me with books -- so of course I had to read it.And I did enjoy it. Kamala is indeed a likeable, well-realized character, and the way she's written feels very clueful and real. There's some thematic stuff here, too, about the experience of being a child of immigrants, trying to figure out exactly how you fit in and how to be yourself when you're not quite like everybody else around you. It's not necessarily terribly subtle, but it's not clunky Afterschool Special stuff, either, and overall it works. The artwork is very well done, too.
I'm not sure, though, whether I'll continue reading this series or not. This was a pleasant read, and I'm happy enough to have made Kamala's acquaintance, but it hasn't instantly converted me into a fan of superhero comics.
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LibraryThing member NeedMoreShelves
So I guess I read graphic novels now? I've been hearing a few friends rave about this one, so I thought I'd pick it up, and it was pretty fantastic. Kamala Khan is a 15-year-old Pakistani-American Muslim just wishing she could be blonde and fit in. Then suddenly she becomes Ms. Marvel. What
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transpires is pretty awesome, because it's pretty real. She doesn't just automatically know what to do. Becoming a super hero doesn't solve all her problems. She's still 15, with overbearing parents and an annoying brother, but now she also has to figure out how to keep herself from shifting into her alter ego all the time. Really well written, very nice illustrations - I'm definitely going to keep reading this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member hobreads
Very impressive GN character début. The lead character, Kamala Khan, is the Peter Parker of the modern era: teenage, fangirl, flawed, awkward, learning and heroic. The art reaches that deceptively easy-looking balance between realistic and cartoony with enough small-print detail ("Business Hours:
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All Of Them") to remind one favorably of a Sergio Aragones vibe. Go read it. Now. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
I picked this book up because I liked the premise and thought it was quite unusual - an American Muslim girl navigating the world of Family, Religion, and being like everyone else finds herself with superpowers. This is her origin story, and what she does with them.
I really liked the story. The
I will be reading more of these graphic novels in the future.
I really liked the story. The
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illustrations are beautiful, the story catches the point of family vs independence perfectly. And, it tells a story of an average family. Kamala has a great personality, her friends are equally interesting. As for her family, they are well drawn and obviously love Kamala very much, even if they don't understand her. I will be reading more of these graphic novels in the future.
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LibraryThing member devafagan
Loved this! I love Kamela and her family and friends. Having her be a superhero is an extra bonus, but I'd read about her even if she weren't!
LibraryThing member ecataldi
The hype surrounding this comic was well justified, I couldn't put it down, it was, simply put, one of the best comics I've read in a very long time! Kamala Khan isn't anything special, she's a teenage girl living in Jersey and trying to come to terms with her Pakistani heritage. She desperately
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wishes to be thin, blond, popular, and to have superpowers just like her role models do. One night she gets her wish but she quickly discovers that there is more to life than being popular. She has to decide what she wants and who she really is. In the meantime she pairs up with her best friend Bruno to stop a bad guy, The Inventor, and in the process try to avoid getting grounded by her parents. A remarkable and empowering read, suitable for everyone! Show Less
LibraryThing member jen.e.moore
I really like that she's kinda goofy. And awesome and stubborn and wonderful.
LibraryThing member JoshuaAtkins
Kamala Khan is wonderful. One of the best new comics in YEARS.
LibraryThing member Sheila1957
The first 5 episodes of the Ms. Marvel graphic novel series. Not being a big reader of graphic novels, I found it interesting. I liked the art work and story line as Kamala finds herself a superhero. She goes against her family's behaviors at time to rescue others but she does find a reason in the
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teachings her family instilled in her. She is trying to fit in but it is not easy when she is different, not only being a superhero but also being Muslim. I liked how she tries to do what is right even as she is battling bullies and cultural differences. Show Less
LibraryThing member -Eva-
Kamala Khan is a regular girl from a Muslim family in Jersey City, that is until one evening when she has bestowed upon her super powers and becomes the new Ms. Marvel. I'm not very familiar with the legacy of Ms. Marvel, so I came to this without any expectations, which was good and bad. Good
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because I didn't feel like they did anything "wrong" and a little bad because I didn't know what to expect from the character or what powers she has. She didn't let me down, though - Kamala is a great character who reacts very truthfully to the discovery of her own powers. Her family and friends are also very realistic and seemed like they could be found on any US street. Good start to a series/character that has the potential to become great. Show Less
LibraryThing member mamzel
Interesting start to a series about a Pakistani teen who develops superpowers after a mysterious mist envelops her town of Jersey City. Caught between her parents with old world ideals, and modern American culture, Kamala modifies her ultimate transformation to a sexy, blond persona to one more
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realistic with dark hair and a pronounced nose. Her first rescue (and introduction of Ms. Marvel to the world) occurs when a schoolmate falls off a pier and almost drowns. Her next rescue is the brother of a friend (and only person to know about her dual personas) from a group headed by someone known as the Inventor. To be continued in the next episode... Show Less
LibraryThing member kayceel
Fantastic!! Kamala is just an ordinary teen, wishing her parents didn't have such strict views of what a girl her age should be allowed to do: no dances, no parties, no boys. Frustrated, she sneaks out one night to go to a party and is caught up in a weird cloud covering the city. When she wakes,
Highly Recommended!!
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she discovers she suddenly has the ability to shape-shift into anything, and must decide what to do. Pretend nothing happened, or take a chance and save others by taking on the role of Ms. Marvel, newest Avenger?Highly Recommended!!
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Late to the party on this one. Kamala Khan gets superpowers and struggles to deal with them in classic teen fashion, leaving most of her peers to think she’s still a dork and her parents to think she’s rebelling in more traditional ways (drinking and boys). It’s cute—Kamala writes fanfic
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and yells “embiggen” to grow larger—and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes from the general teen power origin story. Show Less
LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This was an intriguing spin on the typical superhero story. I'm excited to read more.
LibraryThing member lavaturtle
This was really great. The protagonist feels like a fully developed, complex character -- neither a one-dimensional stereotype of a Muslim girl, nor a generic superhero whose age, gender, and religion do not appear in the story. It /matters/ who Kamala is - this story could not be about someone
Also nice: the self-centered concern troll character who never listens to anyone else is shown for the asshat she is. "She's only being nice to be mean."
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else. (And there are several other Muslim characters, who have a range of opinions on things!)Also nice: the self-centered concern troll character who never listens to anyone else is shown for the asshat she is. "She's only being nice to be mean."
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LibraryThing member Awfki
2015-05-21: Enjoyable YA/preteen comic. Not bad but nothing I'd really be interested in following. I don't follow any other comics either so that's not entirely a condemnation of the comic.
LibraryThing member ladycato
I read this as part of the Hugo Awards reading packet.
I've seen tremendous buzz on Twitter about Ms. Marvel, which is odd because the people I follow don't normally talk a lot about comic books. I was intrigued. I started reading through the Hugo nominees and this is the first graphic novel I
I don't know what the other nominees are like, but Ms. Marvel is going to be hard to beat!
I've seen tremendous buzz on Twitter about Ms. Marvel, which is odd because the people I follow don't normally talk a lot about comic books. I was intrigued. I started reading through the Hugo nominees and this is the first graphic novel I
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started... and wow. Now I see what all the buzz is about. The art is fantastic, and Kamala is a strong, sassy Muslim all-American girl. It's a bit predictable with the plot points and family relationships, but it's still pure fun. It's a cozy read that makes you smile, page by page. I don't know what the other nominees are like, but Ms. Marvel is going to be hard to beat!
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LibraryThing member melissarochelle
Read on November 03, 2014
I liked this much more than the Captain Marvel trade I read last night. This is an origin story about a young girl who suddenly discovers she has superpowers and she then tries to figure out how to use them for good. This is definitely only the beginning of the story -- we
I liked this much more than the Captain Marvel trade I read last night. This is an origin story about a young girl who suddenly discovers she has superpowers and she then tries to figure out how to use them for good. This is definitely only the beginning of the story -- we
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meet what I assume to be the major villain very briefly. I'm looking forward to reading more about Kamala Khan. Show Less
LibraryThing member FionaLiddle
Love, love, love this series! The Urdu and nods to Pakistani heritage are brilliant touches, the humour is just right, the plot draws you in- it's brilliant all round.
The way Kamala gets her powers isn't crystal clear, but it feels like it'll be returned to later in the series so I'm not too
I especially love the honest portrayal of the Zoe Zimmermans of this world- we all know people who are so "concerned" about you they have to ask personal questions about you in public, and it's really refreshing to see the main characters being upfront about what she's doing.
The way Kamala gets her powers isn't crystal clear, but it feels like it'll be returned to later in the series so I'm not too
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fussed about that.I especially love the honest portrayal of the Zoe Zimmermans of this world- we all know people who are so "concerned" about you they have to ask personal questions about you in public, and it's really refreshing to see the main characters being upfront about what she's doing.
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LibraryThing member wvlibrarydude
Awesome story, characters and illustrations. Marvel is really trying something new and exciting with this series.
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
The first volume (collecting #1-5) of the latest Ms. Marvel comic book. The new Ms. Marvel is a sixteen year-old Pakistani-American Muslim girl named Kamala Kahn. I can't speak to how the new comic fits into the Marvel universe or how it retells or retools elements of previous Ms. Marvels because
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this is my first experience with Ms. Marvel, but I loved this. Kamala is immediately vibrant and interesting, her relationship with her family is compelling, and her attempts to figure out who she is--simply as a teenager growing up, as a member of an immigrant family, and as a newly "born" superhero--is fascinating reading. The story is great, and the artwork is wonderful (the jokes in the background are awesome--a fire extinguisher behind a store counter has a label that reads "Die Fire Die," a sign listing the hours a store is open reads "All of them," one of Kamala's textbooks is titled "All Sorts of Math"). Exciting artwork, good story, and a diverse heroine? I'm in. Show Less
LibraryThing member R3dH00d
I'd have given it 5 stars, but I have a deep antipathy for stretchy superpowers.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was super impressed with this book. Kamala is real and likable as are her friends and family. I like that her powers are not identical to Ms. Marvel's and that she is shaping up to be her own hero.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was super impressed with this book. Kamala is real and likable as are her friends and family. I like that her powers are not identical to Ms. Marvel's and that she is shaping up to be her own hero.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was super impressed with this book. Kamala is real and likable as are her friends and family. I like that her powers are not identical to Ms. Marvel's and that she is shaping up to be her own hero.
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Graphic Story — 2015)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2017)
Green Mountain Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2019)
Arkansas Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2016)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
South Asia Book Award (Highly Commended — 2015)
Evergreen Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Excelsior Award (2nd Place — 2015)
Dragon Award (Winner — 2016)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — 2015)
Great Reads from Great Places (New Jersey — 2018)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2014)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2015)
Penn GSE's Best Books for Young Readers (Selection — Comics & Graphic Novels — 2016)
Great Graphic Novels for Teens (Top Ten — 2015)
OYAN Graphic Rave (2015)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014
Physical description
120 p.; 6.63 inches
ISBN
078519021X / 9780785190219
Local notes
special collections box - cannot leave library