Gleefully, this arrived at the library for me in record time...I think less than 3 weeks since I read vol. 1?
Anyhow, I'm happy to say there's no sophomore slump for Ms. Marvel Vol. 2.
I also think that while not perfect, the problems are good problems to have, and not major issues.
The art in the Wolverine team up was OK, but Wolverine looked like a Box with a head pasted on, and what was with that costume? However, must say the story was cute and feels-y enough that I didn't really mind, and the end made me think the art was kinda fun in an offbeat kooky way.
Wolverine as role model is funny, and whoda think he'd be a lot more important than Cyclops when it came to moulding young minds? Well, me for one. He's not vanilla, and didn't have to go nuts to be taken seriously. Wolverine just reeks of authenticity, and kids sense that. Earnestness is all fine and good, but when you're more famous for your crazy ex wife? Not so good. Enough on that though...
There's also a good mix of humour and solid advice from Logan's appearance. Highlight of the book for me, in a very good book.
The next arrival is everyone's favourite transporting Royal dog, Lockjaw! Minor Cap and slightly more Medusa appearances too.
We explore identity, teamwork, friendship, and other good life lessons, but we manage to avoid being smarmy or preachy, or boring. That's quite an accomplishment. We get to see a family that cares about each other and is believable, as well as a police officer who's not a total douche.
The bad guy is a laughable fool, but that's ok, it's more about character development than archenemy this early in Kamala's run anyhow.
What I came across in a few other reviews was that some people felt like Kamala was a 21st century
Peter Parker, for our time. A young teenager, with great power, who learns of great responsibility. That being said, if she keeps up with this run, she could be around for a while, as she's getting as much mainstream exposure for Marvel as anyone could have expected, even more I dare say, and that's a great thing.
Don't praise Marvel for having a well written female Muslim teen, praise them for having a character like that who appeals to old white men and all the other comic readers out there as well. Progress comes when we don't even need to talk about her religion or gender, and how nice it is to see in a book, but rather, just accept it as totally normal. I think in that regard, volume 2 of Ms. Marvel is an embiggening success!