Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin

by Nadia Shammas, Nabi H. Ali (Illustrator)

An original middle-grade graphic novel starring breakout character (and New Jersey's own) Ms. Marvel! Kamala Khan (a.k.a Ms. Marvel) is stretched too thin-literally. She's having a hard time balancing schoolwork with being a good friend, being there for her family, becoming the best fanfic writer this side of the Hudson River ... and, you know, becoming a Super Hero. She's tired and just barely keeping control, BUT she's handling it. Totally. But when a mysterious robot tries to infiltrate Avengers Tower, it'll be up to Ms. Marvel to (again, literally) pull herself together, learn to ask for help, and fix the mess she's made before anyone gets hurt!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Marvel, Superheroes, Young Adult, Fantasy

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2021

About the author

Nadia Shammas is a Palestinian-American comics and games writer from Brooklyn, NY now living in Toronto, Canada.

She is best known for being the writer and co-creator of Squire (HarperCollins), a Harvey Award winning YA Middle Eastern fantasy graphic novel co-created with Sara Alfageeh. Her other original work includes Where Black Stars Rise (Tor Nightfire), an adult eldritch horror graphic novella co-created with Marie Enger.

She is also known for her work on Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin (Scholastic). Her clients include Marvel, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, First Second, Tor Nightfire, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice story about how a young SH has to find a way to meet all the obligations she has to family and friends. Even as Ms. Marvel (MM) - aka Kamala Khan - tries to get through school she is also training as a future Avenger! Her mentor is Tony Stark (who you would think would really be aware of how important school is) and she is always sleepy because she is being pulled in so many directions. When a 'toy' robot comes through the mail MM will have to deal with a new challenge. One of the villains in this story is the Growing Man (FA Thor #140 - 3/67) if you wanted more information on him. Possible Kang tie in - nice blend of old and new!

[Scratch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a complicated relationship with Kamala Khan. If I knew this girl in real life, I would probably be friends with her. We would probably share some nerdy interests and I would review/edit her fan-fiction that we see her writing in this graphic novel. However, I cannot stand the team of the "Champions," and I generally dislike this particular generation of heroes and what they represent. This Ms. Marvel's race/religion are not a problem for me at all, and I applaud Marvel for providing readers with a flawed, realistic bit of representation for Muslim-Americans.

This particular graphic novel made Kamala come across as the dumbest she has ever been. From not recognizing the Growing Man robot she had fought earlier that day when he showed up as an action figure in her home? To, the idiocy in which she didn't recognize a supervillain using his supervillain name as an online handle commenting upon her fan-fiction. She revealed some valuable classified Avengers intelligence online. Characters tried to fob this away, basically saying, "Meh, the internet." But this showed very poor judgment on our title character's part.

I could really relate to the figurative idea of being "stretched thin." (Made literal here because of Ms. Marvel's shapeshifting powers.) I currently have about 4 jobs and I am feeling it. But beyond this childish conceit, it's just hard for me to forgive a bright girl acting so very stupid.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid middle grade version of Ms. Marvel's character. It's very much in the vein of G. Willow Wilson's time with the character, feeling like an untold story. Kamala is having problems because she's stretching herself too thin between trying to be a good daughter, student, hero and writer. The story is pretty simple, about what you'd expect for a story for middle school.

The art is very reminiscent of what you'd see in an illustrated book for children. It was interesting seeing that kind of art in sequential form. I dug it.

[Noura Khalid (theperksofbeingnoura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers for the gifted review copy!

This was such a cute and fun graphic novel.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book for younger kids wanting to get into Ms. Marvel. The art is fantastic, while the story is pretty basic. But it’s fun all the same. 4/5 stars.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! I loved the story, that it was a little bit simpler, but still hit on my favourite things about Kamala (juggling superhero life, school, family, nerd things.) I also loved the artwork in this, it was perfect. Some funny moments (baby hands!), it definitely reminded me why I love Ms Marvel so much!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man this made me want to dive back into the Ms. Marvel comics again because this was really cute! This was definitely aimed at a younger audience but the art was still awesome and it was heartfelt all the same.

ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee

[izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOOOOD i loved it so much!!! the only marvel comics i've really read so far are ms marvel ones because they are so easy to get into and i love kamala nakia and bruno so much 🫶 also i didn't know when i started this but MILES MORALES WAS IN IT??? i was so excited and him and kamala being friends..... i did not know i needed that but i did 🫶 also tony was in this so cute and i love all of kamala's posters and her fanfics so many fun little wider mcu references :) and the art style was super cool so basically i just loved everything about this (thanks poppy:D)

[joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super cute! I loved the art work and the inclusion of Miles and Doreen. What I didn’t like though was how simple the plot was. I don’t understand how Kamala didn’t catch the whole toy robot thing.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a spin-off, for a younger audience, based on DC GN YA line...

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Não é segredo que a DC Comics está dando um show na Marvel no quesito publicações em quadrinhos para o público young adult. Mas a Marvel também tem feito suas tentativas. As primeiras, na direção de um conteúdo fechado e original, se deram com os heróis teens Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan e Homem-Aranha Miles Morales. No caso de Ms. Marvel: No Limite, a trama revolve em torno da rotina superocupada de Kamala, que precisa conciliar diversas obrigações como estudante, aluna, fanfiqueira e babá do sobrinho ao mesmo tempo. Nisso, um vilão cibernético acaba se aproveitando de sua falta de atenção e vai provocar ainda mais caos em sua vida. Mas nada que uma super-heroína não resolva com uma pequena ajuda dos amigos. Nadia Shammas não fica devendo em nada a genialidade e envolvimento que os roteiros de G. Willow Wilson provocavam no leitor na série original da Ms. Marvel. A arte diferente, cute e inventiva de Nabi H. Ali é agradabilíssima de se acompanhar, dando uma cara toda própria à HQ. O único ponto negativo que incluiria neste review é a edição ser em capa dura, algo bastante desnecessário.

[TheLifeTheFife · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Muslim Superhero! EEEK!

Finding out that Ms. Marvel is actually a Muslim teen was the highlight of my week! While we may be from very different backgrounds, I had never seen anyone who believed in the same things as I do presented in such an “all-American” heroic way.

But back to the quality of the graphic novel itself. In addition to the representation, I appreciated that superhero-ing was only one of many equal conflicts in Kamala’s life. She was just as worried about the evil robot coming after her as taking care of her baby nephew! This made the conflict all that more complex and interesting to read.

My one qualm is the same qualm I have with almost all Marvel and DC stories: while I love the superheroes, I feel like it can be hard to keep up with the universe as a whole. They come out with so much (admittedly wonderful) content, that I couldn’t read/watch/listen to it all if I tried! Because of that, parts of the story life references to past events and world-building explanations are lost. However, because this is by no means the only book I’ve had this problem with, if I could give this four and a half stars, I would!

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read nearly enough about Kamala Khan, so when I was gifted this book, I thought it was perfect timing.

I’ve always been a huge fan of The Inhumans and when Marvel had the huge event where the Terregen mist escaped and began to transform people, we got incredible characters like Kamala’s Ms Marvel.

I’ve seen some of the Disney plus show (I need to finish it soon), so I have a basic knowledge of the character, but I wish the show hadn’t changed her powers. I guess they have some similarities to Antman, so it could seem a tiny repetitive for the movies.

This was a cute middle grade graphic novel showing Kamala try to juggle school, her family, moderating her fanfic forum and training to be an Avenger. For anyone, that would be a lot, but for a high schooler, it’s far too much.

This was a short and quick read. Definitely perfect for summer!

Thanks to Scholastic, Graphix, and Marvel for sending me a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, original graphic novel featuring my favourite marvel character, Kamala Khan: Mz Marvel and how she is trying to navigate her daily life, family commitments and her responsibilities as a superhero in training whilst going up against a looming treat to her family and friends - but as she’s trying to accomodate everyone and everything around her, this super heroine may just find herself a little stretched thin.. Such a fun storyline, great illustrations/art and fantastic underlying messages of family and friendship reminding readers that no matter how bleak the world becomes, you do not have to take on the weight of the world on your own.

[madcrazyreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as bold or innovative as ARKHAM ASYLUM. Not as ambitious or unusual as DJELIYA.

MS MARVEL: STRETCHED THIN is just a solid, well told story. Self-contained, well-paced. It's not going to surprise you, but it's charming and fun nevertheless. Also great for younger readers and something all ages could enjoy.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very wholesome and Ms Marvel is a fantastic concept to begin with. The story is a bit cliche and the main problem (her having too much to juggle) isn't completely resolved but there's some good stuff in there about the need to rest, be imperfect, have networks of support and blame capitalism instead of yourself.

Having to be a superhero doesn't mean you get out of babysitting and homework! Flawed but good relationships as well.

[Heather Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t really ventured into the Marvel world so this was an easy intro.
Good storyline about responsibility and taking on too much of a workload. Also about priority of family and asking for and accepting help when needed.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! Messages about online safety, working as a team and of course the brilliant Marvel gang. I didn’t know much about Ms Marvel before this, but now I’m very curious about her! The artwork in this by Nabi H Ali is just exceptional. Can’t wait for more!

[Amy Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable easy read, I didn't like comics when I was the age this is aimed at, but I know I would have enjoyed this had it been about then. Also, on a random note, my copy has a beautiful feel to the pages.

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable little snack for new and returning Ms Marvel fans. Fun to see artwork from a different artist.

[niks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ela escrevendo fanfic stevetony 🤲🏽🫂

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt as if I was jumping into the middle of the story and not a solo book. Still there is enough background for the 8-to-10-year-old reader should be okay. The only real issue is how Ms. Marvel obtained her powers as it's only hinted at. Diverse characters with a familiar theme of growing up, friends, family, and being a superhero

[Anna Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! I thought the art was great and I loved the story of a Marvel hero I don't know much about Shoutout to the cameos from Miles Morales and my favorite Marvel character, Squirrel Girl!

[Stephanie Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and delightful Ms. Marvel tale for younger readers. Beautiful art and an engaging story that will resonate with fans of all ages!

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel faces a new villain who wants to infiltrate the tower. She fails to get any clues about hum and managing her time. When an anonymous gift arrives, it arouses some suspicion in her.

The plot is good and the illustrations are great. A recommended read to all Marvel fans. Waiting for more to follow.

[Idris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Ms. MARVEL: stretched Thin from Scholastic's Graphix imprint in exchange for an honest review.

Lowkey, this graphic novel totally won me over. I love Kamala and her family and all her friends. Would read more Ms. MARVEL ASAP.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another comic I happened upon by chance, in this case online, and in my Goodreads recommendations, which I usually wipe clean and ignore.

It's been a long while since I read and enjoyed a 'Ms. Marvel' comic, and with 'Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin' - an original standalone title not necessarily part of the Marvel comics canon - I'm glad to find that I can still enjoy them. The revolutionary and continuously popular-in-mainstream Muslim-American superhero and star, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel - oh how I've missed her!

'Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin' is in a line similar to DC Ink and DC's other graphic novels for younger readers, introducing them to young, modernised versions of famous superheroes. 'Stretched Thin' is like Marvel's answer to that.

As the title suggests, it is about how teenaged Kamala Khan is being pulled in different directions constantly. School, family and babysitting responsibilities, and fanfic writing, pile on top of her secret superhero training and duties, and she is heavily pressured and overburdened. She barely sleeps. Stress is causing her to be an out-of-shape mess - literally and figuratively.

Fanfic writing and website moderating are becoming her comfort zone, where she is completely in control.

Kamala is only a teenager. Poor girl. Why put so much pressure on kids? It is far from healthy.

But at least she has her friends, Nakia and Bruno, who know about her secret identity and who support her wholeheartedly. They are both achingly cute in 'Stretched Thin'! They will teach Kamala that no one in her position should act alone. They will help her, because they want to, and they love her. Unconditional love, and no-strings-attached kindness, especially for an overexerted and overtaxed girl - what a great message to see in something with a female protagonist!

It is unrealistic, unhealthy and even traumatic that females should be expected to be perfect (reminder: no such thing exists) all the time, in order to please other people; people who are supposed to care about her, because she is who she is and she is awesome as she is (wow, try saying that ten times fast). Girls - half the human race - have been forced to carry this people-pleasing-and-personality-suppressing burden since the dawn of "civilisation" - of the patriarchy - began. Stop it already!

Kamala also has Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl, and Miles Morales, aka Spider-Man, as her superhero friends and fellow Avenger junior trainees, under the mentorship of Tony Stark.

I am a bit annoyed that Kamala's parents are not allowed to know about her being Ms. Marvel. This is now canon in Marvel's main comic line, due to a last-minute amnesia ex machina. I hate it. It's an insultingly cheap copout, and utterly destroys the parents' development in understanding and accepting their brilliant, growing daughter and the world-saving good she does for others. All of that is gone now, along with any new and interesting developments and stories that could have come from a young superhero who is happy not to have to hide anything from her family anymore.

This is the ultimate reason why I decided to quit reading the original 'Ms. Marvel' run.

The secret identity lying and hiding from loved ones is a trite and frustrating superhero trope that is literally nearly a hundred years old, and it is really unnecessary overall. Why can't Kamala's parents know that she's a superhero? We've seen before that they will eventually come around to it and love her no matter what (there was literally no reason in-universe for the amnesia plot device to happen), and it will certainly save a lot of heartache, stress and drama! And the sake of family drama and sticking to the status quo - no change! no to anything different in comics! - is the only reason that the parents' amnesia exists. Let them stay stereotypically strict, angry, nagging, unempathetic and unsympathetic parents - but most prominently the mother - who don't know or understand their daughter, forever! That's always great to see over and over and over and over and over and over and over again!

Another negative in regards to this comic: even with all the rushing and stress she is going through, how can Kamala be so inattentive as to not know that the robot that infiltrated and attacked Avengers Tower is the same as the "action figure" that comes in the post for her? It becomes inseparable from her baby nephew Malik, whom she babysits a lot. The toy and the robot look exactly the same! How does she never notice!?

I'm also a mite confused about the timescale of 'Stretched Thin'. It is mentioned that it has been only a few months since the Terrigen Mist happened - since Kamala became Ms. Marvel - or at least, it's been less than a year. Yet back then her older brother Aamir and his wife Tyesha weren't married, and young toddler Malik wasn't even conceived. I guess I should ignore plot holes concerning time and when events happened in long-running comics, in Marvel and DC. Or does this not matter in standalone books like 'Stretched Thin', which as far as I know is not canon to the main storylines? Aargh!

But 'Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin' remains a fun, colourful kids' comic containing wonderful morals and themes. Recommended for Kamala fans.

Final Score: 3.5/5

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tween graphic novel of our favorite Muslim superhero is authored and illustrated by a new Muslim duo that share an OWN voice story over 110 pages about balancing life and priorities and making time for family. There is a little bit of action, but the majority of the plot, really is balancing it all, with the help of school friends, one being the hijab wearing brilliant Nakia, and Kamala’s friends from Avengers Training: Miles Morales (Spider-Man) and Tippy Toe (Squirrel Girl). This seems to be a different format of a lot of the same story-line found in the Avengers Assembly: Orientation book, but for fans of the characters and genre, this middle grades graphic novel (comic book?) will be well received with it’s easy to follow panels and relatable story. For desi and/or Muslim kids they will appreciate the mehndi celebration, the hijab wearing side characters, the pressure to do well in Quran class, and the tight rope Kamala’s parents give the mixed gender group of friends.

SYNOPSIS:

Kamala is being stretched thin with school, super hero training, writing her fan fic, moderating the website, and helping out with her nephew Malik while her brother and sister-in law are on vacation. The stress has her embiggening all out of whack too, it is a lot for one girl, and when an evil robot takes advantage it will mean even more disappointment for her Ammi. Kamala ruins her fancy mehndi dress and in embarrassment makes her family leave early, she is late to pick up Malik, and she is sleeping through school. Finally, with the only two people that know about her alter ego, Kamala gets help from Nakia and Bruno to take down the robot. She then combines her “club” friends, with her school friends, so that her family can meet everyone, and they can hopefully help her feel more at easy and less stretched thin.


WHY I LIKE IT:

I don’t mind the story telling being more personal and less action, but the robot element is really underdeveloped and very much minimized, I’m not even really sure what the point of it was and how it was resolved. The book seems to be confused if the kids are pre teen or teens, they are called both in the book, and I don’t know if it is an error, or is a joke from Tony Stark, but the voice seems to be ambiguous as well, which makes it hard to completely connect to the characters. I wish the mom wouldn’t cover when at home, I mean I’m glad to see her covering and talking about Quran and all, but being an OWN voice portrayal, it would have been nice to see that detail. The way that the friends as boys is handled is actually really well, it doesn’t become a whole religious or cultural soap box issue, but chaperones are present and the mom is on top of it. There is no hint that anything would be going on, but it is nice to see that accurate representation. I also like the diversity that is present even within the Desi family. Sadly, the book as a stand alone is rather forgettable, I’m not entirely sure what to compare it to, if there will be more in this particular series, or just more like it from other MCU characters, but for people that love Marvel, at least this rep exists if nothing else, it does offer a reminder to all kids to prioritize their time, ask for help when needed, and to make space for their families.

[Michael Lee My ComicBook World · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spoiler free review.

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin is a great new original graphic novel by Graphix and Marvel. The main audience for this book is children ages 8 to 12. I think kids will really enjoy this graphic novel. The story is engaging, funny, entertaining, and even has a few thrills, and a great mystery to solve.

At the beginning of this book Kamala Khan receives an anonymous gift, which is the start of our mystery story. Ms. Marvel also has to battle wits with an old Iron Man nemesis from the comics. You might recognize this robotic fend from the cover art. This baddie tries to infiltrate both the Avengers tower and Ms. Marvel’s home life. In both cases we get to see some great battles and awesome team work as Ms. Marvels works with her friends to save the day. We also get to see Ms. Marvel work with her superhero friends: Squirrel Girl and Miles Morales the Ultimate Spider-man.


If you or your children or students are fans of Ms. Marvel comics and Kamala Khan you’ll really appreciate this graphic novel. All of Kamala’s usual supporting cast are in Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin. Nakia and Bruno have some great conversations with Kamala as they try to solve a mystery. Nakia is such a great character and I like how she helps Kamala along the way. Nakia helps keep Kamala grounded as she tries to navigate through a lot of conflicts in her life starting with problems with her powers, trying to find time to train with the Avengers, problems with her parents, trying to keep her super hero life separate from her personal life, and remembering to pick up her nephew from daycare on time! Similar to Peter Parker/Spider-man, Kamala deals with so many real life problems, which is one of the main reasons I find her to be such a likable character. They both have really complex lives filled with so many relatable daily problems that you can’t help but root for her.

We also get to see Kamala Khan try to keep her superhero life and personal life separate. At the beginning of the story we see Ms. Marvel training with Squirrel Girl and Miles Morales. They are all such close friends who work so well together in the heat of battle. We also see how chummy Kamala is to Nakia and Bruno, her friends from school. Over the course of the story we slowly see what happens if Kamala’s two lives blend over into each other.

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin also does a great job showing children how you don’t have to fight every battle alone. Sometimes even heroes lean on their friends and loved ones when they need help. You see the importance of family and how important Kamala’s friends are to her.

The artwork in Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin is beautiful. The artwork is very bright and soft looking. It reminds me of pastels or watercolor. I think children will be really drawn to the illustrations. The colors and the artwork has a lot of motion to it that I think children will enjoy.

I highly recommend Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin. It’s an entertaining graphic novel that all ages will enjoy reading.

Stay awesome and keep reading!

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin

Creative team:

Written by Nadia Shammas

Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

[tony dillard jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan, has found herself stretched really thin lately. And I'm not talking about Kamala's terrigen mist imbued shape-shifting powers. Between her responsibilities as a Junior Avenger, her fan-fiction, school work and responsibilities at home including baby-sitting her infant nephew, Kamala is barely keeping it all together. There just isn't enough hours in the day nor does the new Ms. Marvel have the energy. Something's got to give and Kamala's family are afraid it's them that will suffer the most!

Kamala knows that she's got to do something soon. But before she makes those changes, there's a new villain on the horizon; one that threatens to destroy Kamala's family if Ms. Marvel doesn't betray the Avengers! Kamala thinks she can do this on her own. But when the villain attacks Kamala through her nephew's favorite new mechanical toy, the young hero just may have to hand over the keys to Avengers tower in order to save her loved ones.

It took a while but Marvel has started to get on the young adult graphic novel bandwagon. Along with the Miles Morales Spider-Man, Spider-Ham and Black Panther, Ms. Marvel is leading the way in this 2021 graph novel for readers aged 8-12. Though I think readers up to the age of 15 could really get a kick out of this book.

That's not to say that Stretched Thin isn't without its problems. For one thing, I don't think Nadia Shammas (X-Force) has done all her research on the character of Kamala Khan. Early on in this book, Khan mentions that it's only been a few weeks since she was affected by the terrigen mist. So far, so good. But the Khan family dynamics are all wrong.

In the comics, Kamala's brother isn't married, nor does he have a son. He's still in school, secretly pining for the girl who will become his wife eventually. So where did this nephew come from? Was it so necessary for the story to add a never before seen character and age up Kamala's brother? The Kahns are such a large family with cousins and uncles and aunts. Why couldn't the baby Kamala have to babysit be cousin? Why play fast and loose with the family dynamic?

I also had some issues with the artwork of Kamala. I thought all the other characters, especially the cover baddie, whom I might say looks an awful lot like a Recorder or even X-51, the Machine Man, were great. And when it comes to Ms. Marvel, I had no issue with the shape-shifting or even her costumes. No, what I had an issue with was Kamala's face. In some panels, artist Nabi H. Ali (Beautifully Me) illustrates Kamala as a pre-teen girl. But from time to time, Kamala's face looks de-aged like a toddler. Could it be some sort of symbolism? Maybe. But, I doubt that many young readers would get the connotation.

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin was an enjoyable read. I just feel that some liberties were greatly taken with the source material. Also, there were some minor inconsistencies with the art work. Still, despite these small flaws, this was still a pretty faithful adaptation of Ms. Marvel. I think the kids will love it even though the more established readers will nitpick the flaws.