Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal

by G. Willow Wilson

[Quirky Cat]

I read Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 as individual issues through Marvel Unlimited.

I recently realized that I never left a review for Ms. Marvel Vol. 1, which is a complete shame since I absolutely adore Kamala and everything she stands for. On the bright side, I decided to use that as an excuse to read her series again.

Kamala Khan is the latest hero to pick up the mantle of Ms. Marvel, and she is worthy of that title. She's a hero through and through. Her actions in and outside of her hero garb more than prove that if you ask me.

She started out as an ordinary girl in Jersey City – dealing with the usual teenager things. Family drama, school, friends, etc. But all of that was before the Terrigen Mist hit her city, revealing the truth buried under her skin.

Kamala is an Inhuman, and the mist activated her powers. Once she gets control of them, they grant her the ability to control her body to an amazing degree; from making her hands massive to her entire body small, and everything in between.

“Good is not a thing you are. It's a thing you do.”

Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal is the first Kamala Khan arc, and it is still one of my favorites, even years later. Her series start is pretty fantastic, all things considered. It's easily one of the best Inhuman starting arcs I've read (though admittedly I haven't read all of them – not yet, at any rate).

G. Willow Wilson is the author behind this first volume, and she did a freaking fantastic job. I love Kamala, and I know I'm not the only one. She's such a passionate young individual, who really has a solid grasp of right and wrong. That may not sound like much, but in the world of heroes it can be everything.

If you haven't read Ms. Marvel yet, I highly recommend that you do. Her series is not afraid to touch upon real-life issues, which is one of the reasons why so many people love her (and why she gets talked about so much online).

The artwork within Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 is fresh and bright – it's so perfect for her series it almost isn't funny. Some of the scenes would have been as impactful (or funny, in one case) without the artwork to support it.

As for Kamala's design – I love it. There are classic elements pulled in from the original Ms. Marvel, but only the good parts (no wedgie's for Kamala). It's actually quite elegant and suits her character quite nicely.

Once again I'm reminded of how much I love this series. I'm going to have to make a point of reading the rest of the volumes when I have a spare moment – it'll be worth it. Kamala's series are always worth it.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks