Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel TV

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 4 Primer

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 4 Primer

    In episode 3 of Ms. Marvel, “Destined”, Kamala finds out more about her heritage and how the power inside of her works. After rescuing her from Damage Control at the end of the second episode, Kamran’s mom, Najma, fills Kamala about the true nature of her great-grandma, Aisha, who is a Djinn from the Noor Dimension. Najma and Aisha believed that a pair of bangles, one of which Kamala now wears, could return them and their exiled family back home. Najma and her family, the Clandestine, seem harmless and and to only want Kamala’s help in using the bangle to open a portal to the Noor Dimension.

    While Kamala learns the truth about her heritage and asks Bruno to help her send the Clandestine home, her brother’s wedding takes center stage. Unfortunately, it turns out that Najma isn’t so trustworthy after all and quickly decides to make Kamala try to send them home, despite a warning from Bruno that it might be very dangerous. After being warned by Kamran that the Clandestine are on their way and that everyone at the wedding is in danger, Kamala pulls the fire alarm, essentially ruining the wedding. She does this to save everyone from getting hurt but it only hurts her relationship with her family. Kamala survives a fight with the Clandestine, which is interrupted when Damage Control shows us and takes them into custody. When she returns home, she is too afraid to tell her family that she is Night Light. At the very end of the episode, her Nani calls Kamala and says that she needs to come to Karachi right away. Nani insists this because she saw the same vision of a train that Kamala saw during her fight with Najma.

    Why her Nani sees the same vision as her is pretty self-explanatory. She probably has the same powers as Kamala and the bangle is connected to them both. Kamala’s mom probably also has this power but she is hiding it from Kamala, just the same way she hid the bangle at first. If her mom does have the same power then we can assume that she has the same visions as well.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    In this next episode, I know that Kamala goes to Karachi. In order to get there, Kamala must tell her mom about everything that has happened, including her powers and the visions she is seeing. Either that, or she’s going to be sneaking out for one heck of a trip! It’s also going to be interesting to hear another side of Aisha’s story, this time from someone who seems like a little less of a villain than Najma. Will their stories match up? Almost definitely not, so I’m thinking this episode will reveal the truth about Aisha, the Clandestine and Kamala’s heritage.

    The next episode of Ms. Marvel will stream on Disney+ tomorrow!

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 3

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 3

    As Marvel Studios’ series Ms. Marvel reaches its halfway point, it is clear that the show borrows quite a lot from Ms. Marvel comics. With Episode 1, we looked at how the series adapted from the comics the moment Kamala’s powers were activated; and for Episode 2 we delved into the comics’ and series’ introduction and handling so far of the character Kamran. This week, we take a different approach with Episode 3. While the episode incorporates many small references to the comics, arguably its most significant and intriguing inclusion lies far outside Ms. Marvel comics. Below, we look at how and why the Clandestines in Ms. Marvel were brought to life from ClanDestine comics.

    Ms. Marvel’s Clandestines

    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 3
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 3

    The beginning of Episode 3, titled “Destined”, brought forth a lot of information supposedly explaining much of Kamala’s origin and background. Najma, Kamran’s mother and the woman Kamala had visions of, tells Kamala that she and Kamala’s great-grandmother Aishia were not human. Specifically, Najma claims that she and some others she appears to live with are actually Djinn, who were exiled from their home Noor dimension. She states that they are called many names, including Clandestines.

    The explanation of who Djinn are that we get in Episode 3 of Ms. Marvel is pretty sparing. Kamala’s dad reads Bruno’s research, which says that Djinn are mythological beings of pre-Islamic folklore, sometimes referred to as genies. We also know from references throughout the series that Djinn seem to be viewed as demons to the superstitious, including Kamala.

    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 3
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 3

    There are still a lot of questions about the group, but they appear to be a patchwork group of loosely-related Djinn who live together. It is unclear if anyone is closely related other than Kamran and his mother, but there is a clear theme of family and belonging within the Clandestines which Najma uses to manipulate Kamala.

    ClanDestine in the Comics

    ClanDestine #1 (2008)

    The Clandestines of Ms. Marvel are clearly influenced by the ClanDestine comics, although ClanDestine seems to provide minimal inspiration rather than being directly adapted into live-action. In the comics, ClanDestine is a large, kind of odd family comprised of the progeny of Adam Destine and a being named Elayath. All of their children inherited superhuman abilities of some kind. Adam himself is immortal and many of the children are decades or centuries apart in age.

    The family primarily sought to operate in secret rather than identifying themselves as super-powered beings or superheroes, though certain members try to follow this path. ClanDestine stories in the comics are driven by family conflict, such as when Adam killed his son Victor because he believed he had become evil.

    ClanDestine #5 (1994)
    ClanDestine #5 (1994)
    ClanDestine #5 (1994)

    The clear connection that the makers of Ms. Marvel made to ClanDestine is that the matriarch, Elayath, is a Djinn. Adam freed her from a wizard that had trapped her in a jewel around 1200 A.D. In return, she granted him his immortality and invulnerability.

    Why Would Ms. Marvel Adapt ClanDestine?

    ClanDestine #12 (1995)

    The comics’ ClanDestines and Ms. Marvel’s Clandestines seem extremely different in history, nature, and group members. The connection between the two seems to boil down simply to the name and the Djinn aspect. Even so, how the two groups incorporate Djinn is entirely different, as ClanDestine is a family descended from a single Djinn, whereas the Clandestines in the show appear to all be a type of being, known as Djinn, from another dimension.

    Why would Marvel make this connection between an extremely obscure group from the comics and a very different group in live-action? It all likely comes down to the series attempting to give Kamala’s background and origin the same type of explanation as her Inhuman heritage in the comics. Everything in the series suggests that Marvel Studios wants to mimic Kamala’s comic story without invoking Inhumans. So, in Ms. Marvel, the Clandestines are a family-like group of super-powered, or at least mystical, beings that Kamala is related to in some way, similar to her relationship to Inhumans in the comics.

    Ms. Marvel #7 (2014)

    That connection is relatively obvious, but the series clearly wanted that familial theme to be tied to Kamala’s religious and cultural heritage. This leads, of course, to using beings of pre-Islamic folklore, Djinn, as an option to explain why Kamala is more than human. There is very little comic basis for this, but ClanDestine happens to already contain those essential elements of Kamala’s story in Ms. Marvel.

    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 3

    To be fair, Najma’s explanation of the Clandestines should be taken with a grain of salt given the fact that she is a clear villain and there is not much evidence yet to back up her claims. Still, Ms. Marvel certainly made a bold creative choice in adapting ClanDestine from the comics to build Kamala’s Khan’s story.

    The first three episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+.

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’s Sound Mixer Teases a “Dynamic” New Direction in the Final Episodes

    ‘Ms. Marvel’s Sound Mixer Teases a “Dynamic” New Direction in the Final Episodes

    Ms. Marvel has been quite the standout in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only does it offer a window into the life of Muslim-Americans with the touch that many have wanted from these kinds of stories, but also one of the visual standouts in the franchise. While the series may be the most down-to-earth for the franchise, Ms. Marvel‘s sound mixer Chris Giles teases the final episodes as “dynamic” in an interview with The Direct.

    In the interview, he especially highlights how the later episodes will be “touching on things that a lot of Westerners may not even be aware” of and it may offer a culturally relevant backstory that we haven’t seen yet in the MCU.

    The standout ones will be, somewhere in my mind, for me, will be later in the series. Because we start touching on things that a lot of Westerners may not even be aware of existing. Maybe if you follow the canon of Ms. Marvel and a few other things, you might be able to kind of piece it together and figure some of this out. But I’m fascinated that there are some stories that are going to be told through this medium. And it’s kind of to me, it’s backstories, it’s sort of things that help develop these characters.

    Chris Giles

    He also goes on to highlight how this new series format offers a way to further explore the origin stories of the characters and continues to tease that “some really, really cool things coming” our way in the Disney+ series.

    Because, you know, Marvel gets critiqued a lot for, oh, there’s no character development, oh, it’s just flashing and banging and blowing things up, and this and that. Especially these episodic streaming projects, they’re able to flesh out a lot of backstories. So, whenever you do greet them on the big screen, you’re like, oh, I was able to read up on such and so, this is why they are at, you know, an adversary to this other person that I thought was a good person or bad guy, or whatever the case is. No, there are some really, really cool things coming.

    Chris Giles

    What stood out in the interview is that he also teases a “dynamic differently” direction as the backstory is further explored. The last episode already offered us a glimpse into a very surprising new direction with Ms. Marvel’s origin and we may get a better look as more puzzle pieces fall into place moving foward.

    I can’t say. When they start building more of the backstory, it gets more dynamic differently than I think a lot of MCU things have typically. So, if nothing else, because it’s different. It stands out in my mind. I hope it translates to the audience because we can perceive it one way, because we’ve read the scripts we’ve been through the process. And we can applaud our ways all the way to release. But, until the audience sees it, you have no idea if it registers, or if it speaks to people. Mostly because the demographics that it serves are what speak to me the most. If nothing else, the more youthful audience.

    Chris Giles

    It definitely sounds like Ms. Marvel may continue to evolve and if it hits the landing, could find its place among the top of the Marvel Studios’ offerings on Disney+ so far. It has the most “weekly” feeling, unlike some of the other dramas that have a more “six-hour film” approach. So, it’s going to be exciting to see how the story comes together.

    Source: The Direct

  • BREAKING: Marvel Studios President Confirms SDCC Panel on MCU’s New Movies and Shows

    BREAKING: Marvel Studios President Confirms SDCC Panel on MCU’s New Movies and Shows

    There have been many debates if Marvel Studios will even show up during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. With D23 and Disney+ Day on the horizon, it does seem strange to also add one more event to the list. Yet that isn’t stopping them after all as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has just confirmed during the Thor: Love and Thunder press conference that they will be attending the event.

    There’s naturally no exact word but as the event is only a little over a month away, it means we’ll be in for a plethora of information regarding where the Marvel Cinematic Universe is heading. San Diego Comic-Con is mapped out to run from July 21 until July 24th but there’s no exact wording on when exactly the panel may take place. So, we might get a clearer picture once we’ve entered July next week.

    It’s certainly exciting to see where the future is heading for the franchise, especially as Phase 4 has been quite diverse in its offerings. As their plans have gone through some massive shifts due to the pandemic; as has most of the industry has been hit. So, we may have a clearer picture moving forward and maybe even the confirmation of the next Avengers title.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 3 Primer

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 3 Primer

    Episode 2 of Ms. Marvel, “Crushed”, was a very exciting episode. As Kamala comes to understand what her new powers can do, she learns from Bruno that her powers don’t come from the bangle, but that the bangle just triggers something already inside of her. Just as all that starts to come together, Kamala runs into the new kid at school named Kamran. Kamala starts crushing on Kamran immediately, making Bruno more than a little jealous.

    The episode also makes good on the post-credit scene from the first episode that showed the Department of Damage Control taking an interest in Kamala. When Kamala saves a little boy, showcasing her superpowers once again, she not only gets the DODC’s attention again but also has a vision of a lady holding her hand out to her. At the very end of the episode, when Kamran helps Kamala escape the DODC, it’s revealed that this mysterious lady is actually Kamran’s mom.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    Why she was having visions about Kamran’s mom? Well, we don’t know but if I had to guess I think it might be because it is actually also Kamala’s great-grandmother, whose life story was at the center of much of Episode 2. It would be weird if she was just having visions about a random lady, but it would make sense that she would have visions about her if she had the bracelet before, too. In this next episode, I believe that her great-grandmother will explain everything to Kamala. She will help her understand her powers a little bit more and why she has been in her visions.

    The next episode of Ms. Marvel will stream tomorrow!

  • ‘Hawkeye’s Fra Fee Teases Kazi’s Return

    ‘Hawkeye’s Fra Fee Teases Kazi’s Return

    Hawkeye was one of Marvel Studios’ more grounded storylines, as Jeremy Renner‘s Clint Barton had to take on a couple of mafia goons in tracksuits alongside their leader Echo. Though, we’re also introduced to Kazi, a very different take from the comics clown portrayed by Fra Fee. At the end of the series, it seemed like the character made his untimely doom at the hands of his former boss, but Fee believes that there’s still a future for the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    In an interview with Attitude Magazine, the actor got a chance to talk about his upcoming role in Zack Snyder‘s Rebel Moon and used the opportunity to tease his potential return to the MCU. While he doesn’t confirm anything, he says he doesn’t “really know just yet” but highlights that “no one’s ever dead in Marvel” after the events of Hawkeye.

    Erm, the truth is, I don’t really know just yet. But I very much hope that Kazi can make an appearance. I wouldn’t put money on the fact he met an untimely end at the end of Hawkeye. No one’s ever dead in Marvel. I would be very hopeful and I’d certainly be thrilled to revisit the character and the world — I had such a good time

    Fra Fee

    He has confirmed in the past he knows about the character’s story and wasn’t going to tease if we may still get the Clown at some point. Many fans of the original run were a bit underwhelmed when he was nothing more than a member of the Tracksuit Mafia, but with an Echo spinoff show on the horizon, they could still take it in a direction that he makes his return as a changed man. For now, it’s just fun to speculate but who knows where the MCU is heading.

    Source: Attitude Magazine

  • Marvel Studios President Teases MCU’s New Saga Will Become Clearer Soon

    Marvel Studios President Teases MCU’s New Saga Will Become Clearer Soon

    Many have been wondering what exactly the current Marvel Cinematic Universe Saga has been about. Phase 4 of the long-running franchise took a few new turns to keep things fresh while also introducing a variety of characters that seemingly have no direct correlation. Yet, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige promises that all will be made clear very soon, especially as Phase 4 is nearing its end.

    As we’re nearing the end of Phase 4, I think people will start to see where this next saga is going. I think there have been many clues already, that are at least apparent to me, of where this whole saga is going. But we’ll be a little more direct about that in the coming months, to set a plan, so audiences who want to see the bigger picture can see a tiny, tiny, tiny bit more of the roadmap.

    Kevin Feige

    So, not only will we get a look at the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it also looks like we’ll get an idea of where exactly the current phase is heading. Many arrows are pointing to Jonathan Major‘s Kang being the main antagonist, especially after Loki introduced us to his Variant and the events of the series unraveled whatever will lead to Kang the Conqueror being unleashed upon the multiverse. He also makes for the perfect choice to rewrite the franchise in case they want to reinvent it by going into a new Saga and tackling different kinds of stories moving forward.

    Source: Total Film

  • Kevin Feige Teases New MCU Announcements “in the Coming Months”

    Kevin Feige Teases New MCU Announcements “in the Coming Months”

    There’s been a lot of questions about where the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be heading. Phase 4 has seemingly been the most disjointed, echoing the early days of Phase 1 and 2 where it seemed like these projects were a bit looser in connection. Yet, as the MCU’s Phase 4 is slowly coming to an end with its upcoming releases, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has teased that we’ll get to see more of the roadmap in the coming months. The time frame would match with San Diego Comic-Con, D23, and Disney+ Day on the horizon. His full quote is as follows:

    […] we’ll be a little more direct about that in the coming months, to set a plan, so audiences who want to see the bigger picture can see a tiny, tiny, tiny bit more of the roadmap.

    Kevin Feige

    It’s exciting to know that we’ll get a tease of what the future has in store, but it does seem like we shouldn’t expect any full-phase announcements. It does seem like Marvel Studios has generally moved away from that concept and with the new TV series also trying to build upon smaller announcements to further expand the franchise. So, who knows if Phase 4 truly will end or just continue to whenever thee story is getting a new kickstart into the next stages of the current Saga.

    Source: TotalFilm

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 2

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 2

    Welcome back to another installment of From Page to Screen. Last week we looked at how Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel adapted Kamala’s power-activation moment from Ms. Marvel comics in the series’ first episode. Episode 2, titled “Crushed,” is another example of how Ms. Marvel is taking quite a bit of inspiration from its comics origins. Looking at the comics, the story arc featured in Ms. Marvel #13-15 is also entitled “Crushed” and they have one major thing in common—Kamala’s crush Kamran. The character of Kamran played an important role in Kamala Khan’s early days as a superhero in the comics and is also clearly going to be a significant force in driving the series’ plot forward. 

    In both iterations of the character, Kamala falls head over heels for Kamran practically the second she sets eyes on him—sometimes that just happens. In the comics, he is a family friend who is visiting. In the series, however, Kamala meets him for the first time at school but otherwise does not know much about him. In any event, both page and screen Kamala find themselves enamored over Kamran, whom they share countless interests with on top of having in common similar life experiences. In the comics, the two bond over some wild coincidences in their lives, but in both comics and series, Kamala and Kamran have impassioned discussions over Bollywood movies and stars.

    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2

    Interestingly enough, Aamir serves to interrupt the two’s first meeting/hangout in every version of the story. In the comics, he chaperoned the two on a walk but butted in when it looked like the two were about to hold hands. In Episode 2, Aamir arrives at a similar time to ruin the mood, but he does not actually know Kamran (yet) in live-action other than through this encounter. It is then also Aamir who first causes Bruno to admit he has feelings for Kamala. On both page and screen, Bruno is clearly jealous of Kamala’s interest in Kamran. In the comics, Aamir tells Bruno that he and Kamala could never work, and this is the first time in the Ms. Marvel comic that Bruno’s romantic interest in Kamala is made explicit. In the series, Kamala and Bruno’s relationship is sure to go down that path, and Kamran may just be the spark Bruno needs to figure out his own feelings and maybe someday make a move. 

    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2

    But what happens next with Kamran in the comics is where the series’ adaptation will be most interesting. In the comics, Kamran reveals himself as an Inhuman to Kamala (whose comic iteration is also Inhuman) and shows her his powers. Kamala is shocked but also intrigued at yet another—and major—thing the two have in common. In Ms. Marvel, Kamran’s reveal was left as the cliffhanger at the end of Episode 2. Like in the comics, he clearly knew that Kamala was the masked, super-powered person dressed like Captain Marvel. He also introduces Kamala to his mother, who was the mysterious woman Kamala kept seeing in her bangle-induced visions. It is safe to say that Kamran may have some powers of his own given the connection, but we have yet to see any. 

    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #13 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #14 (2015)
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2

    It is easy to guess how the car conversation plays out. But first, it is fun to mention that Kamran essentially picks her up and kidnaps her in his car in both the comics and the series. But in the comics, Kamran is a member of an Inhuman faction that believes Inhumans should take their place as the superior beings on Earth and overthrow the existing Inhuman order. In short, he is a henchman for a group of villainous Inhumans who want to take over the world. He believes he can recruit Kamala for the cause, even if our superhero is not convinced by the evil rhetoric. At the end of the day, Kamran is a significant villain Kamala must ultimately defeat in the early days of being a superhero.

    Ms. Marvel #14 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #14 (2015)
    Ms. Marvel #14 (2015)
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2
    Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 2

    Kamran will certainly play some version of that role in Ms. Marvel. But with the absence of Inhumans, it will surely be a bit different. What might end up being the same, however, is the general theme of superior heritage—Kamran and his mother may very likely tell Kamala who she is in terms of where she got her powers from, tell her they come from the same lineage or have the same genes, and then pitch to her that they are superior to other people and should live up to that “destiny.” It is a strong storyline that would allow the series to utilize the comics extensively, but also use it to advance Kamala’s family history mystery and force Kamala to grapple with her own identity and who she or what she is meant to become.

    Ms. Marvel #15 (2015)

    In conclusion, while the Inhuman Problem (the lack of Inhumans in Ms. Marvel) throws a wrench in adapting the comics, the live-action series is actually doing quite an exemplary job of accurately translating Ms. Marvel’s pages to the screen. As stated before, live-action Kamran comes straight from Ms. Marvel #13-15, and “Crushed” certainly looks like a story arc that the series intends to play out.

    The first two episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+. 

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ May Be Disney+’s Least Viewed Live-Action Marvel Series But It’s a Hit With Gen Z

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ May Be Disney+’s Least Viewed Live-Action Marvel Series But It’s a Hit With Gen Z

    There’s been a few discussions surrounding the viewership numbers of any Marvel Studios Disney+ series. We don’t truly understand what makes a Disney+ series a success or not, as we are strongly dependent on third-party analysis data. So, the announcement that Ms. Marvel has hit 775K US households, quite a bit lower than any other Disney+ series by Marvel Studios, it’ll get quite the attention. There is, however, one aspect that is swiftly overlooked by the easiest takes.

    Ms. Marvel may be far from the usual 1M+ households, the series has a very distinct target audience. It was quite the hit with Generation Z according to Samba TV, who has provided the analysis. Viewers between 20 to 24 watched it at the highest rate than any other MCU series and now has the most diverse viewing rate. As such, the series has done exactly what it targeted and that is impressive considering its diverse cast, and complete newcomer in the form of Iman Vellani.

    If you need a comparison, Samba TV has offered an extensive overview, but until now the lowest viewed Marvel Studios project was Hawkeye at 1.5M. Yet, we don’t know how diverse the viewership numbers have been, and Ms. Marvel is only the second series based on a non-existent previous entry. Moon Knight‘s big selling point was the star power of not only Oscar Isaac but also Ethan Hawke.

    It’s not surprising that the series was competing with WandaVision‘s viewership numbers and the latest release is holding strong against one of their most-watched Star Wars series in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Disney+ would be smart to spread out their releases more and it wouldn’t be too surprising if this was a test for the streamer; even if it was bad timing with such an important culturally-relevant project. We’ll see if the word-of-mouth, which is overwhelmingly positive, may pick up in later episodes. It should also be noted that once Disney+ enters the ad space, a target-focused offering is a perfect opportunity to diversity its audience moving forward.

    Source: Twitter