I'm Excited For "Ms. Marvel" And Here's Why

The MCU grows more diverse with every entry.

The MCU will finally introduce Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel this summer in a new MCU series, and I'm pretty excited. For those who played The Avengers video game, you probably know allll about Kamala already.

Disney / Marvel / @aaronfreycomics / Via media.giphy.com

I'm a comic reader and collector, and I've been a fan of Kamala since she first graced the Marvel pages in 2013. Kevin Feige has said that Kamala's onscreen powers will materialize differently on Disney+'s upcoming Ms. Marvel series, which makes sense. The MCU will be introducing the Fantastic Four soon, and they don't want to be bringing two stretchy shape shifters to the screen around the same time. No worries though; in Feige I trust. I can't wait to see how they approach Kamala's story. With that being said, here are five reasons why I'm excited for Ms. Marvel. 

1. The Inhumans may get an official reintroduction.

Marvel / Disney / Via media.giphy.com

OK, so Marvel's Inhumans show was a wash (I didn't watch it, but I've heard horrible things), and we did get to see Black Bolt in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, I believe we may see a proper re-introduction of the Inhumans and possibly Terrigen Mists in the MCU. Since Kamala Khan is an Inhuman, and that is an essential piece of her story, I hope they adopt some elements even if they don't do a full dive here. 

Marvel / Disney / Via media.giphy.com

2. Kamala will be the MCU's first Muslim hero.

Giphy / Via media.giphy.com

Kamala Khan will be the MCU's first Muslim hero. Representation is important, and this is a big win for Marvel and Disney. It will be interesting, however, to see how the MCU handles introducing its audience to Kamala's relationship with her faith.  Of course, there will be those (there already are) who feel like the MCU highlighting the Muslim faith is a reach for the brand that purposely has stayed away from earnestly highlighting any religion that is practiced widely in modern-day society. 

There have been comments/moments surrounding Christianity (like Captain America's comments about there only being one god in The Avengers and Daredevil's confessionals), but Disney has taken care not to really give any religions practiced today more than a smidge of screentime, unless it was necessary for the character. I brought up Daredevil because he is a good example of "necessity" here. It was necessary for his faith to be highlighted, because the confessionals and the "devil" imagery of his suit are important aspects of his character. With Kamala, I can see Disney using faith in a similar way as they did with Daredevil: as a tool to flesh out the hero and their internal struggle.  

Disney / Marvel / Via media.giphy.com

3. South Asian culture is getting a major spotlight.

Marvel / Disney / Via media.giphy.com

OK, so Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings gave Asian audiences a huge W, but it really centered on Chinese culture. Now we'll get to travel southwest and get a taste of Pakistani culture. To be clear, Kamala is not the first MCU hero to represent South Asia. If you remember, Kumail Nanjiani played Kingo in Eternals. Although technically Kingo is not from Earth, neither is Superman (and somehow Superman represents America so, with that logic, Kingo can represent India). South Asian culture did get a little spotlight with Kingo and his Bollywood connections. However, Ms. Marvel will have more screentime and script to really dig in. Plus, all the DOPE merchandise and art finding inspiration in Kamala's story and heritage are really helping to build out the MCU in a colorful fashion. 

Like this piece by artist Shehzil Malik:

Instagram: @marvelstudios

4. It will lead into The Marvels.

Marvel / Disney / Via media.giphy.com

How excited are you for The Marvels? While Captain Marvel isn't my favorite MCU title or anything, I did love Brie Larson in the role and can't wait for more of her. Plus, Teyonah Parris (who played Monica Rambeau in WandaVision) will appear as Spectrum (or whatever they decide to call her, as her comic book counterpart has gone by many names). Seeing those two heroes team up with Kamala is going to make for another MCU team-up (much like the Spider-Man films, Ragnarok, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). 

Who will be the villain here? Fans believe Zawe Ashton will play a gender-swapped Kree general named Ael-Dan. Other rumors suggest Queen Veranke, Moonstone, and Deathbird. However, my secret wish is that she is playing Rogue, who is a key figure in Captain Marvel's history. This would allow Rogue to sap Carol's powers, setting up Monica to take the Captain Marvel mantle.  

Marvel / Disney / @aaronfreycomics / Via media.giphy.com

5. We'll get to see an MCU star grow in real life.

Disney / Marvel / Via media.giphy.com

Iman Vellani will be making her onscreen debut as Kamala, and that's a big way to start off your career. Kamala gets older and more powerful in the comics as time passes on, and it would be dope to see Vellani grow up in this role. Hopefully, she will get paired with the Young Avengers (who are almost all either active in the MCU at this point, or set to debut soon). With so many HUGE actors in the MCU, and even more joining by the say (like Charlize Theron's surprise Clea role and Harry Styles surprise Starfox/Eros cameo), it's refreshing to see new stars like  Xochitl Gomez and Iman Vellani grace the screen.

Are you excited about Ms. Marvel? Let me know in the comment section below!

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From Left to Right: Haunani-Kay Trask, Rushan Abbas, Manjusha Kulkarni, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, Philip Vera Cruz, Mabel Lee, George Helm, and Edward Said