Rating: 4/5
The premise behind this book is not unusual: an unpopular teenager develops an alter ego and uses it to fight crime. Between the plot, the humor, and the bumbling hero, it made me think of Kickass quite a bit. There are a few aspects that set this one apart from other superhero books though.
The heroine is a Muslim girl whose family moved to Jersey City from Pakistan. There are some stereotypical aspects to the family, but overall it is a positive portrayal at a time when it is needed. Kamala Khan struggles with her identity throughout the book: at school, within her family, and as a hero. Given that she is in high school and the age of the target audience, this is an excellent theme. The way her costume changes is one example of how she embraces her identity as the book moves on.
How she gets her powers is a little strange and didn't feel explained well enough. As an origin story the overall tone is good. There is a bit of humor throughout, and I enjoyed that the writers took the time to tuck some into the background. The things Kamala does as Ms. Marvel are minor, though they have meaning for her. It wouldn't have fit the story to have her battling a major villain right off the bat.
I think Marvel fans will like this one. Definitely worth checking out for kids in middle school or early high school or anyone that likes female protagonists.
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