The New York Times has revealed that the newest person to don the mantle of Ms. Marvel will be a Muslim teenager…
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/06/books/marvel-comics-introducing-a-muslim-girl-superhero.html?_r=0
The characters name is Kamala Khan and she’s from Jersey City. She’ll discover that she has powers, like Carol Danvers (aka: Captain Marvel), including the power to change shape and choose to become the new Ms. Marvel, since no one else is using the name right now anyway.
I, for one, applaud this decision because I feel like it’s an empowering move for two demographics of people that don’t always get portrayed in the right manner in comics (women and Muslims… you caught that that’s where I was going, right?) I mean, DC’s already introduced a male, Muslim Green Lantern, it’s about damn time someone made way for a Muslim woman to get in the game! Good job Marvel!
Do I think that this is gonna have a huge impact on the comics world? No. Not really. But I also don’t think it should. I like the idea of this transition being seamless, like it’s something that was always meant to be. Who cares if the new Ms. Marvel is Muslim? There’s no rule that says Muslims can’t be superheroes. Although, I will say that I hope this encourages more Muslim individuals, and girls, and teenagers, and teenage, Muslim girls to want to read comics. Hell, I hope it just encourages ANYONE to read comics! Reasons be damned!
However, I understand that when you relate to a character it’s easier to get invested in them. So I guess if you can’t be like me and damn reasons, use that one.
