Ms Marvel

[jack]

About a nerdy muslim girl who gains the powers of captain marvel (iirc). It does right all the things you'd hope it does right -- showing the positives and negatives of living in a non-Christian religious family in the USA, being sympathetic and non-judgemental while also showing the problems internal and external; showing a young protagonist coming to terms with unexpected powers and how to keep them secret; beginning to introduce a nemesis.

All the things I thought I wanted. But I'm not that hungry for more -- I felt that even though it was very good, it didn't add a lot I didn't already expect, so it didn't suck me personally in, even though I love it for being a much more modern "introduction to superpowers" story I could recommend to people without apologising for it.

ETA: A friend asks, what's the best way of reading recent mainstream comics digitally?

ETA: And almost all of the books I review, I own in paper format, and am eager to lend to people, whether you're following one of the awards, or come on it years later and say "do you still have..?" I realise, most of the time, it's more hassle than it's worth, but you're very welcome if you'd like!

Comments

[seekingferret]

I'm reasonably happy with my Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription. It's compatible with the way I read comics, which is that I randomly glom onto a storyline and read it until it's over. It tends to be either six months or a year behind paper comics, so if you're the sort who needs to keep up, you'd need to supplement it with something else, but I'm fine with being behind, and there really are a hell of a lot of comics the subscription makes available.

[rmc28]

What do you read the comics on? Tablet / desktop / phone / other?

[seekingferret]

Initially, I was reading on my laptop, but when I got a tablet, that became my only comic reader because it's a far superior reading experience.

[rmc28]

Thanks - that's really helpful to know.

[ewx]

+1 for reading comics on tablets.

[forestofglory]

I don't like reading comics in digital formats, but I have found that my local library has a pretty good collection.

[seekingferret]

I'm not sure how far you've read in paper format. I think on my digital subscription I've got up to issue 8. And Wolverine's appearance does make the story better- Kamala plays off him really well.

I don't think it is as deeply characterized or nuanced as other recent Marvel "introduction to superpowers" stories like Avengers Academy or the earlier Young Avengers or Runaways, but it tells stories about the intersection of superhero identity and real life identity politics that those books haven't handled as well. And it is funny and cheerful and believable in ways I'm really enjoying. Bottom line: I like Kamala a lot, but I don't really like anyone in the supporting cast as much.

[jack]

I read the first collected edition, iirc she's just rescued her friend's brother from a bunch of Inventor's minions, and we've seen (?) the back of the Inventor's head, but nothing else. I want to read the wolverine bits now!

I would be interested to read the other "introduction to superpowers" comics, because I do always love that. Thank you for mentioning specific examples! But I don't know if I will, I've dipped a toe in the water of mainstream comics, even as I've read some individual works (like Sandman!) and webcomics.

And I agree, I liked what Ms Marvel did well. I liked the tedious brother :) But I don't really remember any of the supporting cast -- they were ok, but didn't grab me as people.

[seekingferret]

My (rather spoilery) review of Avengers Academy, which is hands away my favorite comic book of the past decade: http://seekingferret.dreamwidth.org/97981.html

I really ought to read Sandman one of these days.

[jack]

Oh, cool. Yes, that does sound pretty cool, though also, I'm put off by the problems you describe. I'd rather read something similar that was less bogged down by continuity.

[ewx]

Maybe you'd enjoy this too?

[jack]

Oh cool, that does sound interesting. Thanks!