The Magnificent Ms. Marvel #13 // Review
Ms. Marvel #13 kicks off a brand new story arc, and it starts strong as writer Saladin Ahmed introduces a new character (co-created with Sara Alfageeh). So Kamala's circle of superhero friends expands. With the rest of the creative team rounded out by artist Joey Vazquez, inker Juan Vlasco, color artist Ian Herring, and letterer VC's Clayton Cowles, the art is just as strong as the story. This is a can't miss issue.
Kamala's father might be out of the woods with his illness, but there's going to be lasting effects. Since Kamala was delayed in providing a blood transfusion to her father because she was trying to stop Stormranger, her new costume turned rogue vigilante, from killing Discord. This delay meant that her father wasn't completely healed and will need to use a cane for the rest of his life. And Kamala feels horribly guilty about the entire situation. That's not all; despite sharing a kiss with her long-time friend Bruno, Kamala isn't ready to tell her family or her friends about their relationship, which is causing tension between the two. She's hoping to put these stressors aside and enjoy a day at the fair with her friends Nakia and Zoe. Still, trouble is never far behind when you're a superhero as their fun is interrupted when demon's claw their way out of the crystal ball in the fortune teller's tent.
This issue features the anticipated arrival of Amulet, aka Fadi Fadlallah, an Arab-American superhero co-created by Ms. Marvel writer Saladin Ahmed and illustrator Sara Alfageeh. Amulet's first appearance is epic. Ms. Marvel is about to be eaten by a demon when suddenly she's shielded by a magical blue shield coming from Amulet's hands. Amulet is powerful and a competent fighter, but also a huge Ms. Marvel fan which is really fun. His overall design is fantastic; he towers over Kamala but despite his fierce fighting seems like a gentle giant. Amulet's power seems to originate from the silver symbols tracing his arms and hands, and the silver theme is carried over into the color of his hair that appears to move like fire. These details all help to create a very unique looking character that's sure to add a lot to the Ms. Marvel comic book universe.
One panel really stands out is a scene where Kamala and her father are in the car as he drives her to the fair, and she contemplates her choice to save Discord at the expense of her father's full health. And in the background, lightly colored in a way that makes them blend with the clouds, are Ms. Marvel and Discord are facing off. The text and art blend perfectly, and everything has such a melancholy feel. This is a choice that's going to haunt Kamala probably for the rest of her life.
Fitting a new character into a well-established cast can be tricky, but Amulet fits seamlessly into the Ms. Marvel story and is going to add a lot to coming issues.
