Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: MCU

  • Theory Thursday: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Will Lead to an Incursion

    Theory Thursday: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Will Lead to an Incursion

    Episode 3 of Ms. Marvel, entitled “Destined”, made it clear that Kamala Khan will be involved in much more than street-level threats. The young hero clearly has connections to universe and multiverse-spanning abilities and those seem related heavily to her family history. In essence, Ms. Marvel may be opening a very large door into the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe storyline. In particular, Episode 3 gave hints that the events of the series could lead to an incursion and tie into a future Secret Wars adaptation. 

    Ms. Marvel’s third episode opened with quite the bombardment of new, cosmic-level information and stakes. Najma, Kamran’s mother, reveals to Kamala that the Clandestines are Djinn from a place they refer to as the Noor Dimension. She also tells Kamala that Kamala’s great-grandmother Aisha was also Djinn and that the group was exiled from the Noor Dimension and was trying to use Kamala’s bangle as a way to get back. While Najma is clearly an antagonist and some of the details should not be taken at full face value, the lingering implication is that Kamala has the power to create the means for inter-dimensional travel. 

    Ms. Marvel #16 (2015)

    The last time we got to explore multiple realities was in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. There, we first learn that incursions are happening to some extent throughout the multiverse. Incursions are essentially the colliding of two realities that—as described by Earth-838’s Reed Richards—ultimately lead to the destruction of one or both. We do not know much about incursions, other than that a multiverse-traveling sorcerer can cause one by leaving too much of a footprint in another universe. In Ms. Marvel, the Clandestines are implying that inter-dimensional travel could be at play, which may implicate some of the forces behind incursions.

    Still, Kamala’s abilities are mysterious. When she confides in Bruno about the Clandestines and her plan, his research (based on scholarship by Thor’s Dr. Eric Selvig) leads him to believe that she would essentially need the power equivalent to that of the sun to actually make it happen. In other words, he warns her that “if you help them go home, some things might go boom.” The foreshadowing of destruction certainly brings to mind the idea of the demolition of a dimension or universe. To be fair, the MCU has not been overly clear as to the distinction, if any, between other “dimensions” and “universes”, but the same logic might apply. 

    Ms. Marvel #19 (2015)

    By the end of the series, the inter-dimensional and/or multiversal implications of Ms. Marvel could very well lead to this sort of “boom” Bruno warned Kamala about, and there is plenty of reason to think that the fallout could be an incursion. In the comics, the Secret Wars (2015) storyline was a major influence on Kamala’s story early on. She actually first meets Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel in the lead-up to the final incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610. Considering an adaptation of Secret Wars has been hinted at in the MCU for quite some time, incursion-related consequences stemming from Ms. Marvel could easily go on to influence The Marvels and an eventual Secret Wars. 

    There are still numerous mysteries to be explored in Ms. Marvel, and Kamala’s family history and connection to the bangle are sure to be big reveals. Considering that Kevin Feige recently promised fans that the direction of the MCU in Phase Four and beyond will soon become clear, Ms. Marvel may very well be laying more groundwork for a Secret Wars event in a direct way, coming right off of Multiverse of Madness. Whether she directly or indirectly causes an incursion herself is yet to be seen, but her presence in the universe is definitely cosmic. 

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

  • ‘Deadpool 3’ Writer Reveals First Plot Details of Deadpool’s MCU Journey

    ‘Deadpool 3’ Writer Reveals First Plot Details of Deadpool’s MCU Journey

    If you’ve been wondering what exactly the story of Deadpool 3 was going to be about, it seems that writer Rhett Reese has given us our first clue. During participation on the Post-Credit Podcast, he revealed that the upcoming story will be a “fish-out-of-water” storyline as the insane Deadpool is trapped in “a very sane world.”

    It’s a wonderful opportunity for fish-out-of-water. Deadpool is a lunatic at the center of a movie. To drop a lunatic into a very sane world, it’s straight butter. It’s going to be really fun

    Rhett Reese

    The concept fits the character and would likely offer a very different kind of storyline. There is still the question of how exactly Deadpool lands in the MCU, as the film is confirmed as a threequel to the original franchise that played around with the canon of the X-Men films. Ryan Reynolds mocking the various characters and the actors that play them will be a fun take to see, especially as everyone is the straight man towards his antics this time around.

    Deadpool 3 is also going to be the first MCU entry that is R-rated, which was promised as being consistent with the other projects. So, if you’ve been worried that he wouldn’t have his iconic potty mouth, he’s definitely going to keep his usual style. The return of the original writers also seems to hint that the overall vibe for the project will not change too much either; though it would be amazing to find out what Bob’s Burgers writers were working on.

    Source: Twitter

  • REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 3—”Destined”

    REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 3—”Destined”

    Ms. Marvel’s third episode, “Destined”, does a remarkable job at maintaining the heart and integrity of the series while also bringing it to new heights in an exciting way. The episode hit the ground running straight off of Episode 2’s cliffhanger in Kamran and his mother’s car. There is a very welcome shift in pace throughout the beginning of the episode, which also takes the series in a very bold new direction. While the bangle remains mysterious, Kamran’s mom, Najma’s, explanation of its history to Kamala suggests that Najma (along with her family) and Kamala’s mysterious great-grandmother Aisha are Clandestines, or Djinn, from another dimension. While their narrative should be taken with a grain of salt at this point, they seek Kamala’s power to get them back to their home Noor dimension from which they had been exiled. The very end of the episode suggests there is more to the story of Aisha’s disappearance still, as Najma shows both Kamala and her grandmother Sana a vision of a train marked “Karachi”, which seems to be a callback to Sana’s family’s escape from India and Aisha’s disappearance. 

    The rest of the third episode once more brought the Kamala Khan charm to the screen. Particularly in the wedding scene, the episode proves that Ms. Marvel is one of the most colorful Marvel Studio’s projects in existence and is filled to the brim with personality. The teenage drama involved in Kamala’s story is amplified here, as she struggles to maintain trust, confidence, and honesty with and from her friends and family. Bruno begins to hesitate about Kamala’s plans with the bangle and tells her he is headed to CalTech, which complicates their adorably awkward crush-type relationship. Nakia angrily discovers that Kamala is actually the masked person who has caused problems for the community, and Kamala’s relationship with her family is further strained by her inability to tell them what she is going through. 

    The episode spends much time celebrating and dissecting the concept of family. This theme was introduced, foreshadowed, and explored in the first two episodes, but Episode 3 featured multiple scenes back to back that explicitly state the importance of family through dialogue. Kamala’s relationship with the Clandestines is yet another layer to that discussion—assuming they are to some extent her family, what is her duty to them? How can Kamala honor her lineage or heritage while not betraying her closer family and community?

    While we have still yet to see Kamala go into full superhero mode, the episode’s first major action scene set to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” was a strong start for the series in that regard. This episode also solidified the villains of Ms. Marvel even if there was no surprise to it. The tease of the mask Bruno made Kamala tees up her eventual triumphant debut as her own bona fide superhero, but that moment still seems potentially distant on the horizon.

    Overall, Episode 3 of Ms. Marvel dramatically raises the stakes and implications for both Kamala and the series. While the more “classic” elements of the series are still going strong—teenage awkwardness, crushes, family responsibilities, and self-discovery—there is now an additional element of inter-dimensional or multiversal travel and Kamala’s direct connection to it. The fact that there is a missing bangle is a mystery that foreshadows its inclusion down the line. Sana’s request that Kamala and her mother come to Karachi is clearly setting up an adaptation of the Ms. Marvel comics “Mecca” arc, but it also is the prime (or closer to it) location for exposing the truth about Kamala’s family history, the significance of the bangles, and Kamala’s powers.

  • ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Almost Featured Christian Bale’s Gorr in a Kate Bush Dance Sequence

    ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Almost Featured Christian Bale’s Gorr in a Kate Bush Dance Sequence

    Kate Bush has gone viral since the iconic episode released from Stranger Things. Yet, it looks like another popular property almost featured the singer, as it turns out that Thor: Love and Thunder almost featured a dance sequence with music from Bush. Yet, what stands out is that the sequence was actually going to feature Gorr the God Butcher, who is played by Christian Bale.

    Bale revealed the sequence that sadly didn’t end up getting made, as director Taika Waititi feared the sequence wouldn’t make it into the final cut. Of course, they may have snuck in some kind of sequence that is an evolution from this original idea, as he teases something inspired by Aphex Twin’s video “Come to Daddy.”

    Taika and I wanted to do a whole dance, which we didn’t get to do, but we had all this sort of Kate Bush stuff that we worked at. But I think he just realised he was never going to be allowed to put that in the final film. I would say that the most common thing I was staring at was the Aphex Twin video of ‘Come To Daddy’. But I don’t even know if that will be in the final film.

    Christian Bale

    Gorr has been teased as one of their best villains, and test screenings hint at him having the biggest acceptance score out of all MCU villains. Christian Bale is a fantastic actor, and he does hint in the interview that he has no idea that he was part of a bigger franchise. That isn’t too uncommon, not that actors only do it “for a paycheck” as some on the internet proclaim, but generally as they are interested in the role offered.

    Source: Total Film

  • 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+. 

  • Kamala Khan Could Still Be Inhuman in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Kamala Khan Could Still Be Inhuman in ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Viewers are slowly learning more about Kamala Khan’s powers and their origins in Ms. Marvel. The unfolding mystery is the result of the apparent overhaul of the titular character’s super-powered background as it existed in the comics. While her actual powers are clearly different from those Kamala had on the page, another likely change still hangs over the live-action series. In the comics, Kamala was Inhuman and her exposure to Terrigen Mist is what activated her powers. While it seems unlikely the series is keeping this aspect of the character, some are holding out hope. So could Kamala be Inhuman in Ms. Marvel? Let’s look at both sides of that question.

    The Case Against Kamala Being Inhuman

    The existence, or at least the recognition, of Inhumans in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is complicated. While a multiversal Black Bolt serving as a member of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is clear evidence of Inhumans in the multiverse, the canonicity of Earth-616 Inhumans is hotly debated. Inhumans were prominent in Marvel Television’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and, eventually, their own spinoff series on ABC. Moving past the actual arguments on whether those shows are canon to the MCU, the simple fact that it is debated is not a good sign for Kamala Khan as an Inhuman. 

    On a common-sense level, it seems less likely that a Marvel Studios production would be drawing inspiration for those shows when crafting Ms. Marvel. Furthermore, Inhuman-related events in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. alone would have had a substantial impact on the MCU that we simply have not seen and would need to be reconciled. So, if Ms. Marvel were to include Kamala as an Inhuman, on a practical level the series would be introducing or formally establishing that group in the MCU. It does not seem likely that Marvel Studios would want to do this in a Disney+ series focused on Kamala and her cultural heritage.

    Another reason for doubting an Inhuman presence in Ms. Marvel is that the activation of her powers did not really fall in line with what is known about Inhumans. The bangle that was passed down through her family clearly has some superhuman or supernatural quality that unlocked Kamala’s powers. There was no Terrigen Mist or anything that seemed remotely close to its present (but see below for an argument against that). She also did not seem to go through the process of Terrigenesis, which generally ends in the subject morphing inside of a cocoon. 

    Lastly, as hinted at above, Ms. Marvel seems to be dedicated to exploring Kamala’s history through a much more personal familial lens. While being an Inhuman would also carry that theme, it would likely distance the story from the more intimate, culturally-focused one we have seen over the course of the first two episodes. Episode 2 ended in a way that could suggest that Kamala is connected to a much larger superhuman group, but rumors that Kamala or her adversaries may be connected to Djinn in some way could explain that.

    The Reasons Why Kamala Might Be Inhuman

    Despite the fact that Marvel Studios has offered no direct or overly obvious foreshadowing of Kamala being Inhuman in Ms. Marvel, there are still plenty of avenues to speculate that her Inhuman origin will be revealed later in the series. Perhaps the most obvious argument is that Kamala in Inhuman in the comics and that connection plays a major role in her character at times. While the MCU is not particularly known for its dedication to being comic accurate, not having Kamala be Inhuman is indeed a major change to the character even by MCU standards. But Wanda and Pietro Maximoff are an easy example of Marvel Studios overhauling a then-established origin of their characters. 

    With that comic history comes a fan base that wants to see Kamala remain Inhuman in the MCU. Fans do not determine Marvel Studios’ decisions, but the franchise certainly would be aware of the reactions. It is also clear that the MCU will formally introduce or establish Inhumans in the main Earth-616 universe at some point. Arguably, Kamala could be a good character to start with. Plus, if other Inhumans are introduced relatively soon, it might be a bit awkward that Kamala is not one of them. 

    Another consideration is how Kamala will connect to Captain Marvel and The Marvels. The Captain Marvel corner of the universe—from what we know about it—is very Kree-heavy. Monica Rambeau seems to have Skrull connections, which connects her to that arena as well. If Kamala were Inhuman, that would mean she is descended from those who were genetically modified by Kree and with Kree DNA. This would arguably be able to give her a proper connection going into The Marvels since we do not have much of one yet.

    Even though no Terrigen Mist seemed present when Kamala’s powers were activated, there is speculation that her bangle actually contained Terrigen Crystals instead. There is no evidence that truly disproves that theory, though the question of why she did not appear to go through Terrigenesis remains. One theory is that Kamala is slowly going through the process and will fully do so by the end of the series.

    Finally, in response to the Djinn rumors and theories, there is still an argument that it is all connected to Inhumans at the end of the day. Rumors that one adversary Kamala will face in Ms. Marvel is a version of ClanD estine—a superhuman family descended from a Djinn—may not matter. Perhaps Clan Destine is actually a faction of Inhumans, or maybe the terminology involving Djinn and Inhuman gets interchanged (though that seems odd). Maybe Djinn are involved but not connected to Kamala, or maybe those rumors are all false.

    At the end of the day, it is understandable that many are frustrated or confused at the concept of Kamala not being Inhuman. While nothing on the surface of Ms. Marvel so far has pointed clearly to her being Inhuman, there is no denying that there is still plenty of room for some fans to hope that it will be established by the end of the series. 

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

  • Theory Thursday: A Mysterious Comics Character May Explain ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 Mystery

    Theory Thursday: A Mysterious Comics Character May Explain ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 Mystery

    Ms. Marvel Episode 2 built a solid foundation for the mystery of Kamala Khan’s super-powered origins. The apparent change in her powers and origin from the comics is one of the most discussed topics with the live-action adaptation, but the fact that there exists a bona fine mystery in the series’ plot is certainly worth something. While there is plenty to speculate about concerning Kamala’s family history and the nature of the bangle that activated her powers, a smaller detail about her history could have major implications going forward. This article discusses how an interesting cosmic character from the comics could play a role in both Kamala’s past and future.

    In the most recent episode of Ms. Marvel, Kamala’s dad recounted the story of Kamala’s mother’s family during Partition. While leaving India, Kamala’s grandmother was a toddler. She was separated from her family after her mother disappeared without a trace. The toddler was able to find her way back to the last train and the rest of her family by following a trail of stars. This story, along with some other theories about how Kamala’s powers may connect to the greater universe, may hint at the introduction of Singularity, a peculiar character from the comics.

    A-Force (2016)

    Not much is known about Singularity, but she is supposedly a sentient quantum singularity who was once affiliated with A-Force. Generally, Singularity can teleport dozens of people vast distances, fly, cross dimensional barriers, and use osmosis to absorb objects or people into her form, within which a pocket universe apparently exists. Interestingly, Singularity is humanoid in form but her body simply looks like the night sky, including stars. 

    Singularity could be involved in Kamala’s family history in several ways, but the “trail of stars” certainly invokes her imagery. The fact that she can exist outside of time and move through dimensions could connect to Kamala’s power connections to the Quantum Realm or quantum energy in general. If the bangle belonged to Kamala’s great grandmother, she presumably had some access to the powers. Perhaps something went wrong with quantum energy she she was removed from time, which would be similar to how Kamala met Singularity in Ms. Marvel comics. In that way, the cosmic being may have been an ally. But perhaps Kamala’s ancestor actually became Singularity, which would make sense that she helped guide her daughter back to her family.  

    Ms. Marvel (2015)

    Interestingly, there may have been a hint in Episode 1 that Singularity could be related to Captain Marvel in some way. It is a bit more of a stretch, but the Captain Marvel figurine at AvengerCon looks like a sparkly, dark blue figure in costume. In other words, it kind of looked like Singularity. If Carol Danvers was somehow involved in the story of Kamala’s great grandmother, it would provide for a direct connection between her and Kamala by the end of the series. It might also answer some lingering questions about what Danvers has been up to since Avengers: Endgame. But there is meaningful imagery in Kamala gazing at the Singularity-looking figure at AvengerCon if she might have the opportunity to look up to the actual being.

    Ms. Marvel so far promises to be a fun and suspenseful mystery. Episode 2 raised far more questions about Kamala’s story than answers, which means that there is plenty of room to theorize for the series. Singularity has comics history with Kamala, so it would be interesting to see if or how she would make the jump into live-action. 

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

  • Kamala Khan’s New Origin is an Upgrade for ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Kamala Khan’s New Origin is an Upgrade for ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Two episodes into Ms. Marvel, viewers are left with more questions than answers about Kamala Khan’s powers and their origin. Much of this stems from the fact that the series has seemingly overhauled the superhero’s origin from the comics, and plenty of debate on that has ensued. Of course, any significant change from the comics for any character will ruffle some feathers, but Ms. Marvel is demonstrating why it can be a positive thing. While we are still learning how Kamala’s story will play out, the changes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far have some obvious advantages.

    There is no dancing around the fact that Kamala does not appear to be Inhuman like she is in the comics. There are countless rumors that theorize how she will ultimately be revealed as Inhuman, but there are countless others that support what the series has shown so far—the Inhuman aspect is not in play. Still, Kamala’s story looks like it will still bring many of those important aspects but also improve on them. The familial history and heritage aspects are still intact in Ms. Marvel. It is crystal clear that whatever her powers’ origin is, it is tied to her ancestors. The series may be actually taking this a step further in the sense that Kamala’s Pakistani and Muslim background drives that journey. While in the comics she was connected to a larger, well-known super-group, in the MCU she may learn she is part of a larger group or family that is more closely tied to her culture that is front and center for Kamala in Ms. Marvel anyway.

    No matter your preference on Kamala’s new “hard light” powers versus her comics version’s embiggening abilities, her MCU powers are still inherently Kamala. When early rumors and news came out that her bangle would be the source of her powers, there was some reasonable concern over the concept of Kamala not actually possessing powers of her own. But the second episode of Ms. Marvel whisked away those fears when Bruno confirmed that the powers stem from Kamala and that the bangle seemed to simply activate them. 

    But perhaps the greatest upgrade her power change relates to Ms. Marvel’s story. In the age of a hyper-connected universe, it is easy for an individual story or plot to get lost in the greater scheme of the MCU. But here, her unknown origin is driving a mystery that so far is a driving force in the alluring nature of the main story of the series. By dissolving the foundation laid by the comics, the MCU opened up space for the growth of new ideas. For an MCU series, new ideas mean fans have far fewer resources to predict how Ms. Marvel will actually play out. The overhaul of Kamala’s super-powered origin leaves a mystery-filled space that keeps both hardcore comic book readers and casual fans on edge to learn more. It arguably makes for a more engaging and better series, and it allows viewers to speculate and theorize more than they would have been able to if her background closely mirrored the comics.

    Overall, the loss of Kamala’s embiggening powers will always leave a sour taste in many fans’ mouths. Without discounting that, there is still reason to be optimistic about where the changes will lead Ms. Marvel and affect Kamala in the series and in her MCU future. In the long term, it may open up an entirely new corner of the MCU or connect Kamala to the universe in a way that transcends the comics. In the short term, it may help Ms. Marvel be a phenomenal standalone series.

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