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Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 8: Mecca
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2018)The villains are at Kamala's door, and Ms. Marvel has to save a city that doesn't want saving. The malleable Ms. Marvel continues her hero's journey as an enemy from her past begins targeting those closest to her, a challenge that calls into question everything about her -- not just as a super hero, but as a human being! Who can Ms. Marvel trust when everyone in Jersey City is against her? As Kamala's life hangs in the balance, a new crimefighter moves in on her turf. Plus: Bruno may be far away at a prestigious school in Wakanda, but even thousands of miles from his former best friend, Kamala Khan, adventure still finds him!
Collecting Ms. Marvel (2015) #19-24.
Collecting Ms. Marvel (2015) #19-24.
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 2017
56 people are currently reading
3938 people want to read
About the author
G. Willow Wilson
474 books3,323 followersHugo, World Fantasy and American Book Award-winning author of novels and comics, including THE BIRD KING, INVISIBLE KINGDOM, and ALIF THE UNSEEN. Co-creator of Ms Marvel. Honorary doctor of letters, Rutgers University. I accidentally started a dutch baby baking cult during quarantine. Not very active on here right now, but often found on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 502 reviews
May 1, 2018
I suspected Trump’s election broke G. Willow Wilson’s brain in the last Ms Marvel book – now I’m convinced it has! Ms Marvel has jumped (Trumped?) the shark – Volume 8: Mecca is so pants, I’m abandoning this title.
In the main story, Wilson indulges in the popular far-left fantasy where the normal rules of democracy have been suspended because Trump is a literal Nazi and America is now a fascist state. The New Jersey mayor has been replaced by a right-wing Nazi white supremacist demagogue (read: Hydra, because this is Marvel) whose self-appointed white Stormtroopers are rounding up Muslims, Inhumans and anyone else deemed not part of the “real” Jersey.
It’s an embarrassingly contrived setup for Wilson’s extremist liberal worldview - she doesn’t even attempt to explain why a democratically-elected mayor can be randomly ousted from office because that would reveal the absurdity of the situation! Predictably for someone with such a one-sided perspective, she’s completely unable to write the villains as anything but bland one-dimensional bad guys who aren’t in the least bit interesting. Her SS officer character, Discord, mumbles some crap about acceptance but it’s not at all convincing or remotely indicative of how a real person thinks – it’s shocking how lazy Wilson’s writing has gotten. You can imagine how the tediousness eventually plays out – such a bore.
The other story, where Ms Marvel teams up with Red Dagger to stop a runaway train, shows that Wilson knows as little about railways as she does about anyone right of the far left! Apparently in America if a train’s brakes fails, they keep other trains running on connecting tracks and hope for the best. And of course have no other safety measures! And Kamala suddenly has the strength to literally lift a speeding train off the tracks and reattach it seamlessly onto a parallel track. And fuse two tracks into one. And lift up one carriage to slow down the others. If you’re gonna be that silly about it, why not just give her a magic wand to wave?
Red Dagger is a mostly pointless addition. He cuts a rope with a knife and then stands back gawping the rest of the time. How does Kamala not put two and two together – she’s amazed he’s here in America after first encountering him in Pakistan, when just a couple pages earlier she met Kareem, who she also met in Pakistan who just happens to have started at her school??? How does she not know it’s him anyway – his scarf barely covers his face! Ditto her mask – why doesn’t everyone, especially her brother, clock that Kamala is Ms Marvel?! There’s suspension of disbelief and there’s this book.
Ms Marvel was a great series once upon a time but the stories and writing have devolved significantly of late and the focus and tone has become far too politically driven for my taste. I’m sure like-minded readers will love her confirming their biases in their collective echo chamber but I’m done with this childish, propagandist, far left dogma. Nice knowing you Kamala, it was fun while it lasted!
In the main story, Wilson indulges in the popular far-left fantasy where the normal rules of democracy have been suspended because Trump is a literal Nazi and America is now a fascist state. The New Jersey mayor has been replaced by a right-wing Nazi white supremacist demagogue (read: Hydra, because this is Marvel) whose self-appointed white Stormtroopers are rounding up Muslims, Inhumans and anyone else deemed not part of the “real” Jersey.
It’s an embarrassingly contrived setup for Wilson’s extremist liberal worldview - she doesn’t even attempt to explain why a democratically-elected mayor can be randomly ousted from office because that would reveal the absurdity of the situation! Predictably for someone with such a one-sided perspective, she’s completely unable to write the villains as anything but bland one-dimensional bad guys who aren’t in the least bit interesting. Her SS officer character, Discord, mumbles some crap about acceptance but it’s not at all convincing or remotely indicative of how a real person thinks – it’s shocking how lazy Wilson’s writing has gotten. You can imagine how the tediousness eventually plays out – such a bore.
The other story, where Ms Marvel teams up with Red Dagger to stop a runaway train, shows that Wilson knows as little about railways as she does about anyone right of the far left! Apparently in America if a train’s brakes fails, they keep other trains running on connecting tracks and hope for the best. And of course have no other safety measures! And Kamala suddenly has the strength to literally lift a speeding train off the tracks and reattach it seamlessly onto a parallel track. And fuse two tracks into one. And lift up one carriage to slow down the others. If you’re gonna be that silly about it, why not just give her a magic wand to wave?
Red Dagger is a mostly pointless addition. He cuts a rope with a knife and then stands back gawping the rest of the time. How does Kamala not put two and two together – she’s amazed he’s here in America after first encountering him in Pakistan, when just a couple pages earlier she met Kareem, who she also met in Pakistan who just happens to have started at her school??? How does she not know it’s him anyway – his scarf barely covers his face! Ditto her mask – why doesn’t everyone, especially her brother, clock that Kamala is Ms Marvel?! There’s suspension of disbelief and there’s this book.
Ms Marvel was a great series once upon a time but the stories and writing have devolved significantly of late and the focus and tone has become far too politically driven for my taste. I’m sure like-minded readers will love her confirming their biases in their collective echo chamber but I’m done with this childish, propagandist, far left dogma. Nice knowing you Kamala, it was fun while it lasted!
April 15, 2018
After a kind of dwindling of energy and quality and focus in the last few volumes, Ms. Marvel: Volume Eight reveals the team has recaptured its initial zip and sharpness. The story had been working in contemporary political issues, but here they are in full force, as the Pakistani Muslim Kahn (and Kamala’s, aka Ms. Marvel’s) family from Jersey City that we have come to love is now under siege from far right nationalists.
To rather specifically echo current trends, Ms. Marvel, a social reformer, is available to help the needy, but she is demonized in the process by right wing members of her community that want to make itself Great Again by putting in place stricter “immigration” restrictions. Yep, this affects Kamala’s own family, as you might have guessed. As Kamala wonders who she can trust, a former friend (Kareem, the Red Dagger) returns to possibly enter into an alliance with her. Oh, and he’s easy on the eyes, too, which helps, well, everything. The series needs a little fresh “chemistry,” so maybe Kareem is the spice it needs.
This was the best volume, in some ways, of all of them, though I thought it lost a little steam with the runaway train endeavor (yawn) near the end. The best aspect of the book is that religious and cultural issues re-emerge as central concerns, as we might have always expected from a series about a Muslim girl superhero whose family is devout!
Better dialogue and a better sense of humor attends this more serious direction, and it works! Just great characters!
To rather specifically echo current trends, Ms. Marvel, a social reformer, is available to help the needy, but she is demonized in the process by right wing members of her community that want to make itself Great Again by putting in place stricter “immigration” restrictions. Yep, this affects Kamala’s own family, as you might have guessed. As Kamala wonders who she can trust, a former friend (Kareem, the Red Dagger) returns to possibly enter into an alliance with her. Oh, and he’s easy on the eyes, too, which helps, well, everything. The series needs a little fresh “chemistry,” so maybe Kareem is the spice it needs.
This was the best volume, in some ways, of all of them, though I thought it lost a little steam with the runaway train endeavor (yawn) near the end. The best aspect of the book is that religious and cultural issues re-emerge as central concerns, as we might have always expected from a series about a Muslim girl superhero whose family is devout!
Better dialogue and a better sense of humor attends this more serious direction, and it works! Just great characters!
February 7, 2018
I think this was my favorite volume of the current series. We start out with a story echoing the ugly nationalism that has risen over the last 2 years in the US. Chuck the hipster hydra agent illegally takes over as mayor and starts his own police force, rounding up everyone who is different. They try to make things so difficult for those they've identified as undesirables that they'll move out of Jersey City and go to NYC. Kamala finds herself just as frustrated as many of us have felt since the 2016 election. I love how things are ultimately not solved through fisticuffs, but the power of the people legally fighting back. I enjoy how Wilson seamlessly incorporates everyday Muslim life into the book, giving us a look into cultures that may be different from our own.
In the last couple of issues Red Dagger moves to Jersey and teams up with Ms. Marvel as they try and stop a runaway train. Some of the humor returns in this arc and Kamala and Kareem have some great chemistry.
In the last couple of issues Red Dagger moves to Jersey and teams up with Ms. Marvel as they try and stop a runaway train. Some of the humor returns in this arc and Kamala and Kareem have some great chemistry.
August 19, 2019
OK, I did enjoy this volume. The last 2 issues of the book deal with a runaway train and that whole thing seemed silly to me. There is a place where Ms. Marvel picks up the train and switches tracks. If you have ever had a train set that you played with, you know that you have to set each car on the track and make sure it is on the track or it will drag and derail the train. You can just lift the engine car and the whole train will follow. This was beyond silly to me. I prefer super events that seem to be able to really happen. If something is obviously not going to work, that is not good.
The 1st half of the book is finishing up the story of the crooked mayor. That's a powerful story about the nationalistic tendencies going on in our country right now. People don't want to think this stuff can happen, but it's possible. There are some judges being put on courts who are going to make problems for this country for years to come because they are biased. It's going to be rough. This story is very timely and we see stuff like this happening all over the country right now. The laws are beginning to punish people for being different or needing different services.
It's a scary time and it's amazing that this story is tackling it. I do think the ending of the story is good. Part of me thinks that Kamala should have been able to handle it and couldn't and then part of me is glad that the political process still works in the story. We saw the governorship in GA stolen and other places where voter suppression is happening, so things like this can easily happen.
I have seen people talking about this being leftist politics, but it's not. This is about freedom, the very foundation of our country. Anyway. It was a good mirror of what is happening around us today. It was dealt with pretty well.
I hope there are more good stories coming.
The 1st half of the book is finishing up the story of the crooked mayor. That's a powerful story about the nationalistic tendencies going on in our country right now. People don't want to think this stuff can happen, but it's possible. There are some judges being put on courts who are going to make problems for this country for years to come because they are biased. It's going to be rough. This story is very timely and we see stuff like this happening all over the country right now. The laws are beginning to punish people for being different or needing different services.
It's a scary time and it's amazing that this story is tackling it. I do think the ending of the story is good. Part of me thinks that Kamala should have been able to handle it and couldn't and then part of me is glad that the political process still works in the story. We saw the governorship in GA stolen and other places where voter suppression is happening, so things like this can easily happen.
I have seen people talking about this being leftist politics, but it's not. This is about freedom, the very foundation of our country. Anyway. It was a good mirror of what is happening around us today. It was dealt with pretty well.
I hope there are more good stories coming.
January 28, 2021
Ms Marvel returns to the real meat of the Marvel universe story as Inhumans and other powered beings are targeted by a a new Mayoral body on whether they can remain in New Jersey. In the last third, we see the Red Dagger come to NJ, just in time to assist Ms Marvel with trying to stop a runaway train.
In the second comic book season - Ms. Marvel, Vol. 4: Last Days onward, the series seems to have lost most of its magic, although in the first story in this volume there are some great speeches by Aamir, and an interesting take on the White privileged falling into feeling powerless and thus easy prey for radicalisation. 6.5 out of 12.
In the second comic book season - Ms. Marvel, Vol. 4: Last Days onward, the series seems to have lost most of its magic, although in the first story in this volume there are some great speeches by Aamir, and an interesting take on the White privileged falling into feeling powerless and thus easy prey for radicalisation. 6.5 out of 12.
Read
January 24, 2018”You wanna know how people get radicalized? They get radicalized when they think the only way they can have a starring role in their own lives is by playing the villain.”
Volume 8 of Ms. Marvel ties up the series 2 plot of gentrification and Jersey City. As always, Kamala is endearing and worth rooting for; I did enjoy the first cycle of these comics more (Vols. 1-4) but I will continue reading this series for the foreseeable future.
Volume 8 of Ms. Marvel ties up the series 2 plot of gentrification and Jersey City. As always, Kamala is endearing and worth rooting for; I did enjoy the first cycle of these comics more (Vols. 1-4) but I will continue reading this series for the foreseeable future.
April 28, 2022
This was an interesting installment to the series. I can’t say that it’s my favorite considering the fact that it had a similar message to the last volume. I was hoping that the series would provide us with something new. I was glad to see that Bruno became a permanent of Wakanda. I really think that this means that his story is going to take an interesting turn. I’ll be looking forward to what will be coming in the next volume.
January 13, 2018
This has been said before that if there is any superhero comic currently published that is the modern equivalent of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's The Amazing Spider-Man, it would be G. Willow Wilson's Ms. Marvel as much like Peter Parker's life, Kamala Khan's is all about balancing her personal life with friends and family, high school and her duties as the local superhero, in which despite her good intentions, it's not helping gaining the public's trust.
What was great about the previous volume was that after the slight misstep of the Civil War II tie-in issues, it told a standalone story that balanced the super-heroism with the social commentary, reminding what made this run successful in the first place. However, the consequences of Civil War II haunt Kamala as HYDRA agent Chuck Worthy has taken control as the mayor of Jersey City as he begins to target those close to her.
As Marvel has always tried to remain relevant as the All-New, All-Different initiative showcases a racially diverse cast of superheroes, the publisher has never tried to force any political statements. However, what opened volume seven was #13, which was clearly an allegory for the 2016 US presidential election and yet by the time the issue was published, we already got the disastrous results. Throughout the majority of this volume, we see a villain in mayoral charge creates an organisation that is assigned to lock up all the unregistered super powers in the city.
As a loose continuation of some of the ideas presented in Marvel's Civil War, it is a combination of comic book fantasy and politics that are not too dissimilar with today's American politics, such as terrorism and immigration. Amongst the super-powered victims (or one who did have powers briefly) are Kamala's older brother Aamir who, after getting arrested, opens #20 with a brilliant monologue explaining the common problem of people's assumption of the image of a terrorist, whether it is simply judging someone by the colour of their skin or whatever religion they're in.
Given how serious the messages Wilson is trying to display, she never talks down to her readers as the adventures of Kamala Khan are uplifting, such as our eponymous hero fighting her enemies with abilities that are closer to Mr. Fantastic, with moments of heartfelt realisation. Due to the absence of Adrian Alphona and Takeshi Miyazawa, Marco Failla takes charge of artistic duties as along with series colourist Ian Herring, his cartoony illustrations are appropriate to Kamala's elastic moves, whilst balancing the quiet character drama.
Concluding this volume is a two-issue arc, in which Kamala is reunited with Kareem, who is participating in an exchange student program in her high school, much to her dissatisfaction. However, when an ongoing train's brakes have malfunctioned, it looks like a job for Ms. Marvel, but she’s also joined by Kareem's superhero alter-ego Laal Khanjeer (or the Red Dagger). Although it very much evokes Tony Scott's Unstoppable, so much so that even Kamala references the Denzel Washington movie, this is a fun buddy-up with great Kamala-centric humour, whilst Diego Olortegui's art is very detailed and textured as the train takes the heroes through stunning locations in New Jersey.
No matter how politically G. Willow Wilson wants to be, it is the witty adventures of Kamala Khan that aren’t as big as her fellow Avengers that makes this title continuously readable, whilst setting up something in the near future that she might no longer need the persona of Ms. Marvel.
What was great about the previous volume was that after the slight misstep of the Civil War II tie-in issues, it told a standalone story that balanced the super-heroism with the social commentary, reminding what made this run successful in the first place. However, the consequences of Civil War II haunt Kamala as HYDRA agent Chuck Worthy has taken control as the mayor of Jersey City as he begins to target those close to her.
As Marvel has always tried to remain relevant as the All-New, All-Different initiative showcases a racially diverse cast of superheroes, the publisher has never tried to force any political statements. However, what opened volume seven was #13, which was clearly an allegory for the 2016 US presidential election and yet by the time the issue was published, we already got the disastrous results. Throughout the majority of this volume, we see a villain in mayoral charge creates an organisation that is assigned to lock up all the unregistered super powers in the city.
As a loose continuation of some of the ideas presented in Marvel's Civil War, it is a combination of comic book fantasy and politics that are not too dissimilar with today's American politics, such as terrorism and immigration. Amongst the super-powered victims (or one who did have powers briefly) are Kamala's older brother Aamir who, after getting arrested, opens #20 with a brilliant monologue explaining the common problem of people's assumption of the image of a terrorist, whether it is simply judging someone by the colour of their skin or whatever religion they're in.
Given how serious the messages Wilson is trying to display, she never talks down to her readers as the adventures of Kamala Khan are uplifting, such as our eponymous hero fighting her enemies with abilities that are closer to Mr. Fantastic, with moments of heartfelt realisation. Due to the absence of Adrian Alphona and Takeshi Miyazawa, Marco Failla takes charge of artistic duties as along with series colourist Ian Herring, his cartoony illustrations are appropriate to Kamala's elastic moves, whilst balancing the quiet character drama.
Concluding this volume is a two-issue arc, in which Kamala is reunited with Kareem, who is participating in an exchange student program in her high school, much to her dissatisfaction. However, when an ongoing train's brakes have malfunctioned, it looks like a job for Ms. Marvel, but she’s also joined by Kareem's superhero alter-ego Laal Khanjeer (or the Red Dagger). Although it very much evokes Tony Scott's Unstoppable, so much so that even Kamala references the Denzel Washington movie, this is a fun buddy-up with great Kamala-centric humour, whilst Diego Olortegui's art is very detailed and textured as the train takes the heroes through stunning locations in New Jersey.
No matter how politically G. Willow Wilson wants to be, it is the witty adventures of Kamala Khan that aren’t as big as her fellow Avengers that makes this title continuously readable, whilst setting up something in the near future that she might no longer need the persona of Ms. Marvel.
November 13, 2018
This volume was actually rather interesting if not actually brilliant. We have a new villain and a somewhat usual attack on New Jersey, but underneath the usual storylines, this is where the comic is good.
Relationships. Character development. Belonging.
In this case, it really is about belonging to a place and what it means to your sense of self. I like that.
This isn't ever going to be one of my favorite comics, but I can appreciate what it does right. :)
Relationships. Character development. Belonging.
In this case, it really is about belonging to a place and what it means to your sense of self. I like that.
This isn't ever going to be one of my favorite comics, but I can appreciate what it does right. :)
November 13, 2017
(read as single issues)
Kamala and the Hulk are friends from work.
Kamala and the Hulk are friends from work.
May 4, 2018
Once again, captivating character interaction makes up for the absolute mess in the plotting. The first arc is a screed against Trumpism with a little nod of understanding as to why Trump is popular with some people. The second, shorter tale about a runaway train seems to illustrate only a vague knowledge of trains, railroad systems and physics. (Can anyone tell me what happened in that tunnel when the two trains were on course for a head-on collision?)
July 15, 2018
GR Ultimate Summer Reading Challenge One and Done.
January 31, 2018
This is probably actually a five-star comic, but it was a little depressing and I resent that it was a little depressing, which is really my problem and not the book's, but still. Enjoyment is ultimately part of my rating system, so, minus half a star, Ms. Marvel!
Regardless of how it made me want to punch all humans in the mouth a little, Ms. Marvel continues to be the most solid, contemplative (yet still somehow fun) superhero comic I've read. Granted, that's not as many as most people because I find superhero comics ultimately exhausting in the same way I find soap opera and most TV drama series exhausting, but I don't find THIS one exhausting. As I've gotten older, more and more I've begun to crave narrative resolution, and character growth that isn't reversed or upended for the sake of creating new story. In my experience, that can be overlooked easily when you've got endless runs of comics and crossovers to worry about, and then when they're done with one run or storyline, REBOOT.
But Wilson, I don't know, man, she's just so good at keeping it all about Kamala. No matter what else is going on in the comics around her, this is a coming of age story about a young superhero, learning to be an adult at the same time she's learning to deal with her powers and the responsibilities and burdens that come with them.
I haven't said much about the actual story, and I don't know that I'm going to. Mostly it's just Kamala dealing with some tough times. She and Bruno are still on the outs, and her superhero life is also getting harder. Some very loud people in Jersey City (who are hopefully in the minority) blame her for all the weird things that have been happening, and a certain faction of villains is stoking that fire. Kamala finds it hard to reconcile the fact that yes, some of her activities have brought focus that changed or harmed her city, but at the same time she's saved that same city over and over. And yet, she sees all these people who are angry with her, and what is she supposed to do?
I may feel differently about where this one ended up once I read Vol. 9, which looks like it will follow her on her little existential crisis. And OMG WHEN ARE SHE AND BRUNO GOING TO MAKE UP IT'S AGONIZING.
[4.5 stars]
Regardless of how it made me want to punch all humans in the mouth a little, Ms. Marvel continues to be the most solid, contemplative (yet still somehow fun) superhero comic I've read. Granted, that's not as many as most people because I find superhero comics ultimately exhausting in the same way I find soap opera and most TV drama series exhausting, but I don't find THIS one exhausting. As I've gotten older, more and more I've begun to crave narrative resolution, and character growth that isn't reversed or upended for the sake of creating new story. In my experience, that can be overlooked easily when you've got endless runs of comics and crossovers to worry about, and then when they're done with one run or storyline, REBOOT.
But Wilson, I don't know, man, she's just so good at keeping it all about Kamala. No matter what else is going on in the comics around her, this is a coming of age story about a young superhero, learning to be an adult at the same time she's learning to deal with her powers and the responsibilities and burdens that come with them.
I haven't said much about the actual story, and I don't know that I'm going to. Mostly it's just Kamala dealing with some tough times. She and Bruno are still on the outs, and her superhero life is also getting harder. Some very loud people in Jersey City (who are hopefully in the minority) blame her for all the weird things that have been happening, and a certain faction of villains is stoking that fire. Kamala finds it hard to reconcile the fact that yes, some of her activities have brought focus that changed or harmed her city, but at the same time she's saved that same city over and over. And yet, she sees all these people who are angry with her, and what is she supposed to do?
I may feel differently about where this one ended up once I read Vol. 9, which looks like it will follow her on her little existential crisis. And OMG WHEN ARE SHE AND BRUNO GOING TO MAKE UP IT'S AGONIZING.
[4.5 stars]
March 12, 2018
I'm not a fan of overly preachy stories, and while I tend to agree with the politics of this graphic novel, I think the plot and characters were sacrificed in pursuit of educating the public.
"You wanna know how people get radicalized? They get radicalized when they think the only way they can have a starring role in their own lives is by playing the villain.”
There's much to be said about confirmation basis, but I don't need it, and while I liked some of the plot lines, I'm not sure about the point of this installment. It felt rather like a filler volume with personal service announcements as to how to be a good human and neighbor. Ms. Marvel needs, and takes, a much needed time out, and I hope she recovers enough to come back swinging.
"You wanna know how people get radicalized? They get radicalized when they think the only way they can have a starring role in their own lives is by playing the villain.”
There's much to be said about confirmation basis, but I don't need it, and while I liked some of the plot lines, I'm not sure about the point of this installment. It felt rather like a filler volume with personal service announcements as to how to be a good human and neighbor. Ms. Marvel needs, and takes, a much needed time out, and I hope she recovers enough to come back swinging.
April 6, 2018
4.5 stars
Xenophobia rocks Jersey City in the form of hostile-takeover mayor Chuck Worthy (ugh and LOL - that name . . . ) and his narrow-minded "Keepers of Integration, Normalization and Deference" followers. Who is up to challenge to stop things from going in this very wrong direction? Kamala Khan, of course. Whether she's tussling with wannabe villains Lockdown and Discord or receiving support from tough-as-nails ousted mayor Stella "I'm going to bulldoze [for democracy]" Marchesi and a cameo appearance from a certain Inhuman, Ms. Khan fights the good fight for her family and fellow JC residents but the tone it still largely and appropriately melancholic by the conclusion.
In the second, more straightforward adventure story, Ms. Khan partners (to her eventual chagrin) with the visiting 'Red Dagger' to stop an out of control train. Denzel's flick is outright mentioned in the dialogue, in case you were wondering. Early on - and after a very humorous metaphorical observation about the situation - Khan comments "We end up in Pennsylvania?" and all I could think of was the possibility of a story set in my home 'Keystone' state. You've got a friend in PA !
Xenophobia rocks Jersey City in the form of hostile-takeover mayor Chuck Worthy (ugh and LOL - that name . . . ) and his narrow-minded "Keepers of Integration, Normalization and Deference" followers. Who is up to challenge to stop things from going in this very wrong direction? Kamala Khan, of course. Whether she's tussling with wannabe villains Lockdown and Discord or receiving support from tough-as-nails ousted mayor Stella "I'm going to bulldoze [for democracy]" Marchesi and a cameo appearance from a certain Inhuman, Ms. Khan fights the good fight for her family and fellow JC residents but the tone it still largely and appropriately melancholic by the conclusion.
In the second, more straightforward adventure story, Ms. Khan partners (to her eventual chagrin) with the visiting 'Red Dagger' to stop an out of control train. Denzel's flick is outright mentioned in the dialogue, in case you were wondering. Early on - and after a very humorous metaphorical observation about the situation - Khan comments "We end up in Pennsylvania?" and all I could think of was the possibility of a story set in my home 'Keystone' state. You've got a friend in PA !
May 24, 2018
Bullseye.
World: Art once again is fantastic with beautifully expressive and charming characters. The world building is simply amazing. This book is so meta textual it makes me so happy. The pieces Wilson adapts from weekdays happening to America right now will blow your brain.
Story: Meta to the nth degree. This book has an opinion and message and Wilson has always not shied from that and it's even more so here. There are parts that are a bit heavy handed but it is done so well. The villain seems stupid at first but the idea that normal people can become this is a hard and frightening reality. Just read it.
Characters: Kamala is always great but this arc is deeper, heavier and so much more substantial, so good. Then there's the deceptively meta villain, the wonderful family and wow these characters and their journey is great. So good.
This series is just amazing.
Onward to the next book!
World: Art once again is fantastic with beautifully expressive and charming characters. The world building is simply amazing. This book is so meta textual it makes me so happy. The pieces Wilson adapts from weekdays happening to America right now will blow your brain.
Story: Meta to the nth degree. This book has an opinion and message and Wilson has always not shied from that and it's even more so here. There are parts that are a bit heavy handed but it is done so well. The villain seems stupid at first but the idea that normal people can become this is a hard and frightening reality. Just read it.
Characters: Kamala is always great but this arc is deeper, heavier and so much more substantial, so good. Then there's the deceptively meta villain, the wonderful family and wow these characters and their journey is great. So good.
This series is just amazing.
Onward to the next book!
March 8, 2018
Ms. Marvel is as good as ever. In this volume, Jersey City is taken over by a group that want to make Jersey City great again. The group's ire is directed against people with super powers. Ms. Marvel comes to realize that not everyone appreciates her efforts to save the city, and as a result she loses her confidence. One really nice thing about this story is that Kampala's brother gets to play a bigger role. He gets caught up in the craziness going on in Jersey City. Despite not having super powers, he plays a role in saving others. I hope that Kamala's family gets more chances to contribute to Kamala's superheroing in the future, because I really liked that in this volume.
December 20, 2019
The social commentary, the politics, the humour, the action sequences, the family dynamics, the angst.
Y. E. S.
I will never stop shouting about this series. It's a gift to and from Marvel and I hope one day they give the series, G. Willow Wilson and Kamala, the true appreciation they deserve.
Y. E. S.
I will never stop shouting about this series. It's a gift to and from Marvel and I hope one day they give the series, G. Willow Wilson and Kamala, the true appreciation they deserve.
April 24, 2023
Ms. Marvel Vol. 8 Mecca collects issues 19-24 of the Marvel Comics series written by G. Willow Wilson with art by Marco Failla and Diego Olortegui.
Hydra has returned to Jersey City trying to overthrow the local government to round up “undesirables” and return New Jersey to greatness. Red Dagger has moved from Pakistan to Jersey City and teams up with Ms. Marvel to stop a runaway train.
The first half of this volume tackles a lot of the fallout from the 2016 U.S. elections. Kamala and her schoolmates are able to fight back against the hate using the moral high ground and legal protections instead of playing into violence. Red Dagger joining the main cast of the book is a good decision as Bruno is largely out of the picture at the moment. Though - the two not being able to figure out each others secret identities when they have met in and out of costume in both Pakistan and Jersey City is laughably bad. People aren’t that blissfully unaware.
Hydra has returned to Jersey City trying to overthrow the local government to round up “undesirables” and return New Jersey to greatness. Red Dagger has moved from Pakistan to Jersey City and teams up with Ms. Marvel to stop a runaway train.
The first half of this volume tackles a lot of the fallout from the 2016 U.S. elections. Kamala and her schoolmates are able to fight back against the hate using the moral high ground and legal protections instead of playing into violence. Red Dagger joining the main cast of the book is a good decision as Bruno is largely out of the picture at the moment. Though - the two not being able to figure out each others secret identities when they have met in and out of costume in both Pakistan and Jersey City is laughably bad. People aren’t that blissfully unaware.
March 8, 2018
Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel is one of my favorite newer Marvel comics characters. The entire series has been pretty fantastic, but I'd say that this volume is one of the best recent ones. It's not afraid to get very real plus focus on Kamala's family, all while featuring some great action scenes and a fun sense of humor. I particularly enjoyed seeing Kareem, aka the Red Dagger, return in an entirely different setting from his previous appearance. I also loved that Thor: Ragnarok reference, by the way!
January 9, 2018
Honestly, Ms Marvel is just head and shoulders above most other ongoing comic series. Kamala is a wonderfully honest, flawed but good-hearted hero, and the storylines aren't afraid to tackle big issues in very sensitive ways. Plus, it's just amazing to see a Muslim family at the heart of an American story, allowed to be well-rounded, kind, ordinary human beings. Every comic fan should read this. 10+
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
July 16, 2019
3,5 🌟
Wow, I didn't expect HIM to be Zoe's evil sidekick. Mostly because I forgot he existed but still.
Also, a much cooler boy has made a comeback here as well so let's care about him instead.
Wow, I didn't expect HIM to be Zoe's evil sidekick. Mostly because I forgot he existed but still.
Also, a much cooler boy has made a comeback here as well so let's care about him instead.
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April 11, 2018
Still loving this as much as the previous. Has great superhero action and story with perfect combination of real world themes/discussion. Keep making this great series.
May 2, 2018
Surprise, surprise, G. Willow Wilson is on the left of the political spectrum. That's Ok.
She tries to convey an allegorical tale about Trump's politics, people's reactions against each other and particularly those different. That's Ok.
She bends credibility to her needs without flinching. That's not Ok.
Again, Wilson doesn't bother to explain situations. The mayor of Jersey City has been evicted by the Hydra guy we saw in former volumes. Shazam! It looks like it happened overnight, just like that. No clue as to how. Wilson needs a far right front man so he pops up. She needs angry mobs coming out of the blue? Sure, here they are. She needs dedicated minions intent on on applying their hateful new laws? They suddenly walk in line for her convenience.
Not to mention the freckled redhead that turned Gestapo to a caricature.
After that there's a poor man's Unstoppable 2 parter. Again no attempt at credibility. A slow moving train (40mph, not exactly Fast&Furious,eh?) might derail and nobody seriously seems to care but Kamala and a new useless sidekick she doesn't recognize when everything leads to the obvious only guy that matches. Looks like Wilson thought she was plotting a Dora the explorer episode! On the other hand, nobody ever seemed to identify Kamala when her features are quite recognizable under her Zorro mask...
Kamala then does a bunch of new tricks, like changing the tracks an incoming train rides on like it was a miniature model or squeezing tracks together to re-frame them, just because it helps Wilson's story.
Lazy. That's what comes to mind. G. Willow Wilson is lazy. She wants to tell a story but not the going through the inconvenience of trying to make it credible. She uses her bag of tricks and voila. That's somehow disrespectful, like we can gobble up anything. Hey it's super heroes and it's a comic book so why bother at all?
This pisses me off because I'm supportive of Wilson's message and the "Mecca" story was intrinsically not bad. But Wilson's total lack of attention of details to make something plausible of her plot reduces the whole to nothing, some childish views of the world.
At the end of the book Kamala reconsiders her options as to continuing her super hero business. I'm starting to reconsider mine as to continuing this series.
She tries to convey an allegorical tale about Trump's politics, people's reactions against each other and particularly those different. That's Ok.
She bends credibility to her needs without flinching. That's not Ok.
Again, Wilson doesn't bother to explain situations. The mayor of Jersey City has been evicted by the Hydra guy we saw in former volumes. Shazam! It looks like it happened overnight, just like that. No clue as to how. Wilson needs a far right front man so he pops up. She needs angry mobs coming out of the blue? Sure, here they are. She needs dedicated minions intent on on applying their hateful new laws? They suddenly walk in line for her convenience.
Not to mention the freckled redhead that turned Gestapo to a caricature.
After that there's a poor man's Unstoppable 2 parter. Again no attempt at credibility. A slow moving train (40mph, not exactly Fast&Furious,eh?) might derail and nobody seriously seems to care but Kamala and a new useless sidekick she doesn't recognize when everything leads to the obvious only guy that matches. Looks like Wilson thought she was plotting a Dora the explorer episode! On the other hand, nobody ever seemed to identify Kamala when her features are quite recognizable under her Zorro mask...
Kamala then does a bunch of new tricks, like changing the tracks an incoming train rides on like it was a miniature model or squeezing tracks together to re-frame them, just because it helps Wilson's story.
Lazy. That's what comes to mind. G. Willow Wilson is lazy. She wants to tell a story but not the going through the inconvenience of trying to make it credible. She uses her bag of tricks and voila. That's somehow disrespectful, like we can gobble up anything. Hey it's super heroes and it's a comic book so why bother at all?
This pisses me off because I'm supportive of Wilson's message and the "Mecca" story was intrinsically not bad. But Wilson's total lack of attention of details to make something plausible of her plot reduces the whole to nothing, some childish views of the world.
At the end of the book Kamala reconsiders her options as to continuing her super hero business. I'm starting to reconsider mine as to continuing this series.
June 16, 2019
Yes.
Yes!
YES!
I missed Kareem! And I KNEW he was Red Dagger.
Kamala and Kareem are perfect for each other *insert fangirling screams of terror*
Yes!
YES!
I missed Kareem! And I KNEW he was Red Dagger.
Kamala and Kareem are perfect for each other *insert fangirling screams of terror*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2018
How can people be so stupid, so angry, and so frightened that they just line up behind whatever strongman shows up promising a return to “better times”, no matter who they hurt? Ms Marvel has a crisis of confidence when some past threats (including Hipster Hydra Chuck and Junior Gestapo Becky-with-the-stupid-hair) return to “Make Jersey City Great Again”, and they’ve got more than a few willing residents backing them up. Then Laal Khanjeer moves to Jersey City and Ms Marvel decides maybe it’s time to let someone else save the city while she takes care of herself.
Read
April 13, 2018Catching up on comics! Here is my review of vols 7-8 (separately):
http://www.bogireadstheworld.com/comi...
Source of the book: Amazon wishlist gift from goodbyebird. Thank you!
http://www.bogireadstheworld.com/comi...
Source of the book: Amazon wishlist gift from goodbyebird. Thank you!
November 23, 2017
Good issue!
Enjoyed the domestic struggles, Hydra claiming mayorship, all the hassles,...
Always love to see Ms. Marvel in action, fysically ànd verbally :)
Enjoyed the domestic struggles, Hydra claiming mayorship, all the hassles,...
Always love to see Ms. Marvel in action, fysically ànd verbally :)
July 5, 2020
It's gonna be a long wait until the next volume!!
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