A few years ago, I was invited to volunteer at Trunk or Treat with an old high school buddy of mine. The theme was “Superheroes”, so the gymnasium of her church was crawling with DC and Marvel characters. She was Batgirl, I was Ms Marvel, and there was even a special appearance by Superbaby. But, I have to admit, I felt like a fraud because I hadn’t actually read a Ms Marvel comic. Ever.
I ended up purchasing and reading a copy of Ms Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson, and I was in total awe. She was this nerdy, Pakistani-American teenager grappling not only with her identity as an American and a person of color but also with her newly discovered super power. It was a more powerful story than I could have expected, and I so terribly wanted to read on in this comic series.
Ms Marvel, Vol. 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, and Jacob Wyatt
Released: April 2015
Publisher: Marvel
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★★★★★
Who is the Inventor, and what does he want with the all-new Ms. Marvel and all her friends? Maybe Wolverine can help! If Kamala can stop fan-girling out about meeting her favorite super hero, that is. Then, Kamala crosses paths with Inhumanity — by meeting the royal dog, Lockjaw! But why is Lockjaw really with Kamala? As Ms. Marvel discovers more about her past, the Inventor continues to threaten her future. Kamala bands together with some unlikely heroes to stop the maniacal villain before he does real damage, but has she taken on more than she can handle? And how much longer can Ms. Marvel’s life take over Kamala Khan’s? Kamala Khan continues to prove why she’s the best (and most adorable) new super hero there is!
Reasons to read Ms Marvel, Vol 2: Generation Why:
- The Inventor, the diabolical villain who, at the end of Vol 1, is said to be luring the youth of Jersey City to his secret compound, makes an appearance. He experienced some technical difficulties with his cloning machine though, and…well…I guess you could say he doesn’t look quite like himself these days. (It’s hilarious!)
- The story offers an explanation to the somewhat confusing ending of Vol. 1. Look. I love the first volume, but I had to re-read the ending a few times to follow what was happening. The second volume clears everything up.
- Ms Marvel gets a fuzzy, four-legged companion! His name is Lockjaw, and he is a giant magical bulldog-type-thing with teleporting powers.
- Ms Marvel (and readers) start to learn about a race of beings called the Inhumans. (I asked Jon if he knew anything about the Inhumans, and he’s not too familiar with them [although Marvel has been toying with the idea of producing an Inhumans film, which would be awesome]).
- Wolverine helps Ms Marvel beat the baddies!
Reasons not to read Ms Marvel Vol. 2: Generation Why:
- Not Applicable
No Normal was a solid debut, and Generation Why is an equally strong follow-up. Readers get to learn more about Kamala Khan’s true identity– as a teenager, a superhero, a Pakistani-American, and…an inhuman? Maybe????? All I know is I regret not picking up Ms Marvel Vol. 3, Crushed, which was already available at the library.
Kamala Khan as Ms Marvel is my superhero. Who is yours?
By Golly, Ollie! 
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