Ms. Marvel

Markham, Ontario’s local Iman Vellani is someone to recognize because she brings her youthful enthusiasm and charm to make an amazing debut as Kamala Khan in the Disney+ series, “Ms. Marvel,” released in June. The series genuinely celebrates South Asian heritage without stereotypes, adding layers of the family dynamics and culture that makes Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, who she is.

She is also the MCU’s first Muslim superhero, so expectations are really high on how the show depicts tis on screen. Marriska Fernandes said in her review, “From the first two episodes critics were given, I can safely say that the show flips the script on stereotypes and celebrates South Asian culture respectfully.”

Her cultural lineage is not added just because, or forced into the storyline, but is rather a part of the show’s minor moments – like when she bonds with her crush, Kamran, played by Rish Shah, over Bollywood movies and overrated Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan.

The first episode really introduces the character, giving everyone an inside look into the teen’s personal life. Kamala is a 16-year-old Pakistani-American teenager from New Jersey who is obsessed with the MCU, and mainly with Captain Marvel. She lives with her father Yusuf (Mohan Kapur), mother Muneeba (Zenobia Shroff) and older brother Aamir (Saagar Shaikh). She goes to Coles Academic High School with her friends Bruno (Matt Lintz) and Nakia (Yasmeen Fletcher).

She tried to convince her parents to let her attend the first ever AvengerCon, where she plans to dress up as Captain Marvel and win the contest. When Kamala discovers an ancient family heirloom and puts it on at AvengerCon to complete her costume, it gives her superpowers.

Fernandes admitted, “There's a line from Kamala that stuck with me after watching: "It's not really the brown girls from Jersey City who save the world."” “Ms. Marvel” gives room for brown girls to exist in the superhero realm, and while Disney has just started to see brown princesses in their films, it’s about time we see one in the Marvel universe. Vellani is the second South Asian protagonist in the MCU (after Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo in “Eternals”), and the first female one. The series was directed by creator and head writer Bisha K. Ali and directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. Having accurate representation in the writers’ room and with the creatives is always key, and their influences are really evident as the story arc continues.

In “Ms. Marvel,” it’s hard to tell where Kamala ends and where Vellani begins – they feel one and the same, especially since the actress has said that she’s basically Kamala Khan. She brings warmth, humor, fun and awkwardness as a clumsy, light-headed teen, which makes her completely relatable.

Fernandes ended her review by saying, “Vellani's charming energy is infectious as the charismatic Ms. Marvel, and I can't wait to see how the series progresses — especially as she'll soon star in 2023's The Marvels alongside Brie Larson's Captain Marvel.”

If you have not seen this yet, I give this a high recommendation. I’m not saying that because I am from the same faith as Kamala and her family, but this is a really good show that shows an accurate representation of people from the same faith that I am in. You will absolutely love this, and the way they bring the family background into this superhero story, it is just great. This is enjoyable, funny, engaging, everything that you have seen from the MCU. Check it out and have an enjoyable time.

Tomorrow I will look at the final MCU “Phase Four” show in “Disney Month 2022.”