Who is Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan – From Fangirl to Supergirl
Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American fangirl who’s jumping from the panel to the screen to embiggen her way into our hearts.
High school oddball Kamala Khan was just writing Avengers fan-fic when a Terrigen mist awakened her polymorphic powers. But how did this Carol Danvers stan become the protector of Jersey City?
Ready to fight for Jersey City in Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona, courtesy of Marvel Comics
Created by: Sana Amanat, G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, Stephen Wacker, & Jamie McKelvie
First Appearance: Captain Marvel (2012) #14
Who is Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel?
Kamala is a Muslim Pakistani-American teenage girl living in New Jersey. She lives with her parents, Yusuf and Muneeba Khah, and her older brother Aamir.
She absolutely loves the Avengers, and is an avid fan and writer of fanfiction (relatable.) Captain Marvel Carol Danvers is her absolute favorite, but she loves her some Wolverine, too.
Sure, Kamala feels like an outsider amongst her peers. But what is high school without your misfit crew of friends? Kamala is often found hanging out with her closest friends, Bruno and Nakia. Nakia Bahadir and Kamala met in kindergarten, and have been friends every since. Bruno Carrelli grew up with Kamala after he came to Jersey City to live with his grandparents. The two kids shared a love of the show Tween Mutant Samurai Turtles.
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona, courtesy of Marvel Comics
One night, after being ostracized at a schoolmate’s party, Kamala was walking home when a Terrigen mist was released by the Inhuman King Black Bolt. The mist triggers a latent Inhuman gene in humans it comes into contact with. Superhero fan Kamala Khan has the gene! And like many Inhumans, she folds herself into a cocoon while her body undergoes the process of Terrigenisis.
Terrigenisis!
While Kamala was cozy in her cocoon, she had a vision of her favorite heroes Captain America, Iron Man, and of course, her G.O.A.T.: Captain Marvel. When she emerged from her vision-cocoon, her body has transformed itself into the shape of Carol Danvers in her Ms. Marvel costume.
Panicked, Kamala struggles to control her powers for a moment. But when one of her schoolmates is in danger, Kamala and her powers kick it into hero mode. After things settle down, she decides she wants to be a hero – after her parents release her from her grounding.
Powers & Abilities
The new Ms. Marvel is a polymorph. She can change her shape at will. Stretching, compressing, flattening, and of course her “embiggen” powers also make her relatively stronger when she transmutes. Kamala also has an accelerated healing factor, and can change her appearance.
The source of Kamala’s comic book powers in Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona, courtesy of Marvel Comics
Ms. Marvel Team-Ups
During the Incursions, alternate dimensions were smacking into each other left and right. While the Avengers handled the crisis on a global scale, Kamala kicked into hero mode on behalf of Jersey City. Carol herself showed up and expressed her approval of the new Ms. Marvel. She also helped Kamala rescue her brother and tell inspired her to tell her parents about her identity as a costumed hero.
She may be just a kid, but she’s fought alongside the Avengers. Together with Nova and Spider-Man, they formed the Champions team. At the forefront of Marvel’s next generation of characters, she’s battled some pretty formidable foes, including gentrification in her own town.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Ms. Marvel Comes to the MCU
As a feature in the future of Marvel, Kamala is a perfect addition to the live action MCU. And this summer, she’ll join her favorite heroes on streaming.
Judging by the the trailer for Ms. Marvel, it’s going to be full of teen girl joy. But this MCU is making some changes to Kamala’s power source.
The MCU Changes Kamala’s Power Source
We all but know that the Inhuman element of Kamala’s story won’t be in play in the MCU. It looks like she’ll be sporting some “cosmic” powers similar to those of Carol and Monica Rambeau. But don’t worry – it still looks like she’ll do her classic embiggen fist, only less stretchy and more sparkly.
The trailer has plenty of easter eggs you can check out while you wait for Ms. Marvel to join the MCU. Sure, they scrapped her Inhuman origin, and I’m not mad about it. But they can still introduce a version of Lockjaw. Just sayin’.
Who’s a good boi who belongs in the MCU no matter what? Ms. Marvel courtesy of Marvel Comics
If you’re excited about this series, here are some of the newest posters. They’re absolutely gorgeous, and feature Kamala’s close family and friends.
