The Marvel era of the Marvel movie universe has begun and Kamala Khan’s live-action debut is finally here. Reactions to episode 1 of the new Disney + streaming series have been overwhelmingly positive. Critics and fans praise the charming tone, stunning images, and organically authentic aesthetics of Mrs. Marvel, but the main topic of conversation is the main character. Finally, Iman Vellani is bringing Kamala Khan to life and is doing exactly what his comic counterpart almost a decade ago, breaking down barriers.
Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel, has been portrayed as one of the most beloved Marvel Comics heroes in recent history. However, before reaching the tenth anniversary of its debut, this young IP has already become an award-winning graphic novel, a vital piece of the current Marvel universe and the main character of the Marvel’s Avengers video game.
The prodigy who is Kamala Khan has been nothing short of a great slam for Marvel Comics. And now, his debut in the greatest movie universe of all time. This is a special time for creators Sana Amanat and G. Willow Wilson, fans of Ms. Marvel and comic book lovers around the world. It’s also a historic moment for the Marvel movie universe to bring such a new character to this much larger universe.
The fastest rising star in Marvel history
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With episode 1 of Ms. Marvel’s Kamala Khan has broken an MCU record to become the latest Marvel Comics character to direct his own Marvel Studios movie or program.
Kamala Khan first appeared in July 2013 in Captain Marvel Vol. 7 # 14. Just nine years later, she heads her own Disney + series as one of the top names in the 2022 beginner class. Mrs. Marvel breaks the record for the newest comic book character to headline her own project for almost 24 years!
Scott Lang’s Ant-Man previously held the 2015 Ant-Man record. Lang first appeared in March 18, 181, The Avengers. August with the release of She-Hulk. Walters first appeared in Savage She-Hulk # 1 in February 1980.
Between Khan and Lang, several Marvel Comics characters appear on the MCU, but never in the title role. Shuri and Maria Hill first appeared in 2005 in Black Panther Vol 4 # 2 and The New Avengers # 4.
America Chávez joined this list just a couple of months ago in her appearance on Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. Kamala will join her as the only Marvel Comics character on MCU to debut after the creation of the universe in 2008, debuting in 2011’s Vengeance Vol 1 # 1.
So Kamala now has both records. He is the newest Marvel Comics character introduced to the MCU, surpassing America Chavez by two years. And he is the newest Marvel Comics character to receive a movie or series, surpassing Scott Lang by almost 24 years.
Needless to say, Marvel CCO Kevin Feige and his team couldn’t wait to bring Kamala Khan into the Marvel movie universe.
The Old Guard
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To show the contrast of how far back the Marvel Comics character catalog goes, it’s worth looking at the older Marvel Comics characters to receive projects at the MCU.
Steve Rogers and James “Bucky” Barnes debuted in Captain America Comics # 1 in 1941. Nearly 70 years later, they were introduced to the MCU in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011 (with Barnes receiving his own project on 2021 with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.) Steve Rogers was introduced to MCU almost two years before Marvel brought Kamala Khan to life in comics.
Bruce Banner / The Incredible Hulk completes the 3 oldest comic book characters to receive an MCU project that debuts in The Incredible Hulk # 1 of 1962. But Banner is not among the 3 oldest comic book characters to be introduced in the Marvel movie universe.
This honor belongs to the legend that JAMES E. WOO! It’s right; Jimmy Woo is only behind Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes as the oldest Marvel Comics character introduced to the MCU. Another fantastic feather on the cover of one of the most giant favorite secondary characters of the fans.
Kamala Khan: The new Peter Parker era
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There is no controversy here. Marvel Studios has over 70 years of comic book history to choose from, and its most established players arrived early and often. Especially considering that the main member of The Avengers was the remnants of the Marvel IP sale of the late 90’s that sent Spider-Man, The X-Men and others to different studios.
So with more than two decades of characters between Scott Lang and Kamala Khan, and an extensive list of major mutants that have yet to be touched, why Ms. Is Marvel the first character of the new millennium to receive its own project?
Short answer: She is Peter Parker of this generation.
For so many reasons, Mrs. Marvel was at risk when Marvel decided to release the comic. First of all, the new characters had a hard time coming out on the ground in the 2000’s. little or nothing.
But then Mrs. Mavel No. 1 hit the shelves and shocked the world. Some of the most popular comics of the 2000s, including a Spider-Man comic that was national news due to the introduction of Barack Obama, only reached a fifth impression. Mrs. Marvel # 1 reached its seventh round of printing.
This type of reception is unheard of for a debut comic in the 2000s. Add all the minority qualifiers of Kamala Khan; it is historic.
So why is Kamala Khan so famous for comic book readers? Peter Parker is a great point of reference to answer this question.
In the 1960s, most comic book readers were considered “nerds.” And not the nerds in 2022, who are the prettiest people around. Stereotyped Hollywood nerds who were harassed, rejected and forgotten. This is what made Peter Parker the most significant comic book character of all time. He represented the forgotten. He showed those who needed a boost of confidence that anyone and everyone could be a hero.
This concept was reimagined in the 1970s and 1980s with the X-Men and their representation of minority communities in race, religion, and sexual orientation.
This idea, mixed with expert writing, charm, and storytelling, made Kamala Khan a Gen Z representation of those who wanted to see someone like them in the pages of a Marvel comic.
This level of breaking barriers led Kamala Khan on a rocket from the panel to the console and now to the silver screen. If fans have learned anything about this character during his brief existence, more and more fans are about to fall in love with Kamala Khan and Ms. Marvel.