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Ms. Marvel is back and more diverse than ever, having been reintroduced in the newly rebranded Marvel NOW! series as a Muslim teenager named Kamala Khan. The child of immigrant Pakistani parents, Kamala now lives in New Jersey. She’s “among the first to be a series protagonist who is both a woman and Muslim,” Time reports, as Marvel strives to “reflect a growing diversity among its readers.” The previous Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers, went on to become Captain Marvel, boasting a range of superpowers that included strength, speed and flight. Kamala will have the ability to grown and shrink her body. She’ll ultimately be able to shape shift, as well, all while paying homage to her predecessor. After discovering her powers, Kamala takes on the mantle her childhood hero, Carol Danvers, a title left behind when she did become Captain Marvel. Editor Sana Amanat said when discussing Khan’s identity: “Captain Marvel represents an ideal that Kamala pines for. She’s strong, beautiful and doesn’t have any of the baggage of being Pakistani and ‘different.'” “Her brother is conservative. Her mom is paranoid that she’s going to touch a boy and get pregnant. Her father wants her to concentrate on her studies and become a doctor.” The series will be written by G. Willow Wilson, who explains, “I wanted Ms. Marvel to be true-to-life, something real people could relate to, particularly young women.” Marvel CEO Axel Alonso compares Kamala to another legend that is not Muslim or female, saying “Kamala is not unlike Peter Parker,” a.k.a. Spider-Man. “She’s a 16-year-old girl from the suburbs who tries to figure out who she is and trying to forge an identity when she suddenly bestows great power.” Like Parker, she “learns the great responsibility that comes with it.” Marvel does expect “some negativity,” not only from people who are anti-Muslim, but from Muslims who “might want the character portrayed in a particular light.” Clearly, that possibility isn’t enough to dissuade them, however. What do you think of the reinventing of Ms. Marvel?   I love it! Way to be different and diverse! Not a fan of this change at all! View Poll »

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Ms. Marvel: Superhero Reinvented as Kamala Khan, Muslim Teen!