Ms. Marvel Review: A Cosmic Coming-of-Age Tale (Season 1 Episode 1)
Warning: This review may contain spoilers for the first episode of Ms. Marvel.
As far as first impressions go, Ms. Marvel has won us over!
From the jump, Ms. Marvel Season 1 Episode 1 is an authentic teen drama brimming with a charming energy. It’s got angst, heartbreaking dynamics, and the dorkiest Avenger cosplay-driven conflict.
The pilot’s endearing style is somewhere between Kim’s Convenience and Runaways. There are bursts of humbling family quarrels and a vibrant street-art aesthetic. But lurking within is a contemporary drama grounded in dense character conflict.
What is lovely about Ms. Marvel is it doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel with a Vulture-sized villain. Instead, it sticks to the tedious conflict that makes Kamala’s world go around.
Like Teen Wolf‘s Scott McCall wanting to focus on lacrosse, Kamala’s determination to attend Avengers Con consumes her pilot. The conflict is narrow, but the world-building uses that realism as a springboard to launch a complicated drama series.
What this pilot lacks in superheroes, it more than makes up for with dazzling flare.
This is the most creative series since WandaVision. From the moment Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” plays us in, this artistic lens is bursting with potential. Texts pop up on the Circle Q’s neon signs, and graffiti comes to life as Kamala bikes by.
The Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse style artistry is ridiculously fun when paired with the show’s energetic Pakistani-pop soundtrack.
Earth’s Mightiest Fangirl
Iman Vellani disappears effortlessly into the role of Kamala Khan, bringing an authentic dorky passion to the character that will validate so many young fangirls.
From the moment Kamala introduces herself (in an Avengers youtube segment, no less), you’re hit with this overwhelming warmth for the young hero. She is an authentic fan with Marvel merch on her walls and an ability to drop fandom references with believable ease.
Kamala’s love for superheroes is never toned down; her “weirdness” is never suppressed to make her more digestible. She nurtures her passions and, when faced with ultimatums, refuses to give up fantasizing.
That might be the best part of our protagonist. She’s ordinary, and that in itself is extraordinary.
Ms. Marvel is not a chaotic Russian assassin or a witty archer. Instead, she is an earnest take on Peter Parker’s friendly neighborhood hero. Kamala’s relatability is valuable; it allows girls like her to occupy space in superhero fandoms.
It’s too early to comment on the larger teen ensemble as characters like Bruno and Nakia are still finding their footing in Kamala’s journey.
We don’t get an in-depth look at her friends, but the context suggests if we were to spend time with them, it wouldn’t be at the expense of Kamala’s screen time.
Kamala’s family is the real gem here, rooting the series in rich, sometimes devastating, character conflict. Her parents are strict, and this leads to painful confrontations. But Kamala’s family dynamic is not one-note; there’s no lone culprit.
Just as we root for Kamala, her parents pull a grand cosplay gesture, and she reacts as angsty teens do when parents try to be cool. It provides some severe whiplash.
And in what is a strong utilization of the end credit scene, we see Ms. Marvel bring in an antagonist from Spider-Man: No Way Home. I am both irritated and intrigued by this development.
Avengers Con and Beyond
Ms. Marvel offers an opportunity to view the MCU through the eyes of a fan & does not hold back with the meta-references — starting with Avengers Con!
It is hosted at the “Home of Captain America,” a.k.a Camp Lehigh — yes, this place still exists! Just scratching the surface of this masterpiece, fans can spot shrines to Natasha and Tony, Asgardian Pride shirts, America’s Ass fanart, and tons of homemade cosplay.
The convention is steeped in references that pay homage to us, and it will take several rewatches to appreciate all these scenes offer.
Also, for those wondering how Captain Marvel got her fanbase, the explanation is entirely too effective — someone let Scott Lang start a podcast! Ant-Man theorists rejoice knowing this is a direct byproduct of you.
I cannot stress how brilliant Ms. Marvel is for creating a get-out-of-jail-free card with this fan nod. Now, whenever continuity issues present themselves, we can simply point to Ant-Man’s canon podcast as the solution.
With Great Powers Come Great Complications
For how comfortable and content Kamala seems in her first outing, this teen drama hasn’t quite found its footing in the superhero genre.
That is entirely okay for the pilot, as the episode fleshes out Kamala’s origin beautifully. But *sighs* the most significant problem going into Ms. Marvel is, in fact, the first problem to present itself in the series.
Kamala’s power reveal is underwhelming, with the changes to her abilities presented as clunky and convoluted.
I want to chalk this up to the typical teen drama cringe, but when compared to what we could have, the lack of visual payoff isn’t selling these changes.
The series is grounding Kamala’s superhero origin in family lore rather than Inhuman lore. Maybe that personal touch will turn the tides in favor of these new powers. So far, no element of the light manifestation pays homage to Kamala’s individuality.
Welcome Home, Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is for under-represented Muslim communities and underappreciated female fans. It is also a welcoming reprieve for all fans. Just because you cannot see yourself in it does not mean you cannot enjoy its offerings.
This fan-geared series pays homage to our love for superhero stories. The show is safe for younger audiences to enjoy but mimics The CW’s trademark angst with darker undertones and parental pressures that stab deep.
Above all, this first look at Kamala Khan proves superhero fans really do have all the fun.
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New episodes of Ms. Marvel stream Wednesdays on Disney+.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf