14 DAY TRIAL // Marvel Comics is getting ready to introduce the first ever Muslim superhero, with the return of Ms. Marvel in her own series in February next year. Her name is Kamala Khan, she’s 16 years old and she’s from Jersey City.
The previous Ms. Marvel was Air Force pilot Carol Danvers, who is now known as Captain Marvel: she is Caucasian, blonde, and a total tough cookie.
Kamala will be Marvel Comics’ first Muslim title character, Entertainment Weekly reports. She will first appear in a special issue in January and, after the introduction, will get her own series one month later.
“Kamala has all of her opportunities in front her and she is loaded with potential, but her parents’ high expectations come with tons of pressure,” Marvel says.
“When Kamala suddenly gets powers that give her the opportunity to be just like her idol, Captain Marvel, it challenges the very core of her conservative values,” Marvel adds in the same press statement.
While the announcement was welcomed with warm praise on one hand, because it promotes representation and cultural diversity, you can imagine that there are also many who say this comes very close to insanity. Some voices also criticize Marvel for changing a known superhero for the sake of politics.
What do you think about the move to introduce the first-even Muslim superhero?