MS. MARVEL #16
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Adrian Alphona and Ian Herring
Published by Marvel Comics
Release Date: June 17, 2015
The “Last Days of Ms. Marvel” are finally upon us and it absolutely would be a two parter, wouldn’t it? Regardless of this minor frustration, issue #16 is full of heart and more than a little emotion that will keep readers turning pages as Ms. Marvel moves towards it climax.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that Kamala Khan is a teenager but never has she been presented as so thoroughly teenaged as in the opening of issue #16. Heartbroken, gorging on hotdogs, and counting the hours since she last spoke to Kamran, Kamala is a picture of female adolescence and it’s so incredibly relatable – not something often seen in a genre where female characters are so routinely denied any sort of internal life.
By laying out Kamala’s internal life via an internal monologue that runs the length of the book, G. Willow Wilson has given the reader no option but to both accept and engage with the fact the Kamala is an intelligent, thoughtful, and complex character. She is not just a teenaged girl. She is not just hero. She is not just anything and that is the point. That, far more than her inhuman capabilities, are what make Kamala so much more than a girl in a costume.
Wilson’s writing remains strong throughout as she pits Kamala against what looks to be the end of the world. She injects so much humanity into her script that it’s difficult not to become completely engrossed and a little caught up in Kamala’s heartbreak. It is quite sobering to see Kamala deal with the emotional fallout from her relationship with Kamran. He has done so much to sow the seeds of self-doubt within her that she no longer feels capable of achieving what she must in order to keep her family, or her community safe. Regardless of her anxieties Kamala once again proves herself to be a hero. She is smart, resourceful, and selfless, putting the needs of her community before her own desires.
There is something incredibly delicate about Adrian Alphona’s inks. His sketchy backgrounds are utterly charming and show a real variation in the character designs, so much so as to represent an actual population. Ian Herrings’ subtle palette perfectly matches the style and tone of the book, complementing Alphona’s work without overshadowing it. By using a wide range of muted tones, Herring creates the feel of a busy city without straying into the dark and gritty colours usually associated with urban landscapes.
The final page, offers Kamala the boost and support she needs to continue and will leave readers desperate for part two as Wilson introduces Kamala’s hero and sets us up for the team-up we have been waiting for.
The Verdict 9.0/10
Great review!