Ms Marvel #7 review

“Kamala Khan has always felt different”. 

Ms Marvel has been a standout comic for me this year. It has got pretty much everything I want from a book – comedy, heart, ridiculous violence, and a kick-ass female lead thrown in as well. Kamala Khan is a great character, and it has been really rewarding to read G Willow Wilson’s gentle coming of age story. 

We pick up with Kamala as she is about to be attacked by a giant alligator, sent by a cockatiel clone of Thomas Edison (really – no joke). This issue is the second part of a team-up with the now powerless Wolverine. It does feel like Wolverine has spent the last few years being thrown into every book possible (Including Storm #2, which I also reviewed this week) but this is the best fit I have seen for ages – A gruff Wolverine plus a totally star-struck Kamala Khan is a winning combination. 

Again, it is Wilson’s dialogue that shines, leaving me in hunched-over hysterics at a couple of points. The interplay between Wolverine and Kamala is pitched perfectly – I loved that Wolverine is now officially allowed to blame carrying any extra weight on ‘big bones’. Wilson has a real talent for elegantly shifting the tone between scenes, without making the change in mood feel forced or even worse, cheesy.

Following the fight with the aforementioned giant alligator, Wilson includes a nice scene in which Kamala further explores the responsibilities and consequences that come with her new-found powers – a regular and welcome topic in this book. Also, a subtle shift into mystery in the book’s last scene is very well handled (I will say no more). 

This two-issue story has been drawn by guest artist Jacob Wyatt, standing in for series artist Adrian Alphona. I have really enjoyed Alphona’s work on this book, and while I thought Wyatt’s work on this issue was fine, it was just that. There were a few opportunities where more drama or comedy could have been pulled out from a scene, which were missed – I especially felt this during the alligator fight.

For the first half of this book, the paneling is rather safe and restrained, before opening up for a fantastic full-page spread on page 16. Ian Herring does a nice job with the colours, using a pastel based palette; I particularly liked his work in the last few scenes set underground. 

G Willow Wilson’s script is again the star of this issue, and I can’t wait for #8 and the return of regular artist Adrian Alphona. 

Ms Marvel issue eight is out now.

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