I'm back with another graphic novel review this month. . In the past I have reviewed Ms. Marvel comics and Kamala is back in the review this month. I found the comics easy one sitting reads.
Crushed (Volume 3)
Kamala has adjusted to her powers and “secret” life as a super hero. That is until she is confronted with two new villains, though the first (Loki) is easily put down but the second (Kamran) will not give up so easily, nor is he as easily detected.
Kamala has learned to use her powers and successfully saves her schools dance (which while invited
to she is unable to attend because of her strict parents) from Loki as he seeks possible enemies lurking in the school. After this easy victory Kamala is not as vigilant as she should be and a second enemy rises more subtly.
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| Defeating Loki |
This new enemy comes in the form of the perfect guy for Kamala, that is someone her parents would approve of. Kamran is perfect in every way, he even has a secret of his own....he is just like Kamala (that is he has powers). While sneaking out on a “date” with him Kamala is captured by the evil inhumans who want to take over the world. And Kamran is one of them, he brought her in to make her one of them. Finaly, with a bit of help from Bruno Kamala escapes and returns home.
The story is well written with many action sequences. However, the plot was predictable. The perfect guy turning bad with the best friend (and supposed wrong choice) being there in the end to help save the day. Many of the key tropes for comics are present and it was an enjoyable easy read.
Last Day (Volume 4)
Kamala meets her namesake in this exciting and awful volume. The story is set during the final days on earth unless something drastic and impossible happens.
Carol Danvers (AKA Captain Marvel) shows up to tell Kamala the tragic news and how Kamala will need to stand alone to protect her home; which currently seems impossible to everyone who knows what is truly happening. Captain Marvel helps Kamala overcome her heartache and learn to make the tough choices, even if that means not saving everyone. Each new development only pushes Kamala further into distress, especially after the last episode with Kamran. She just can't seem to catch a break.
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Kamala's Mom reveals
she knows
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This comic sees Kamala grow as a character, both behind her mask and without it. Readers see how she interacts with Captain Marvel and her own parents, the shifts in how she saw people before the “end” and at it are vast. Kamala is portrayed as real and has emotions while making the tough choices.
Conclusion
Both volumes are well written and easy to read. The illustrations are colorful and convey the emotions of the story well. Each panel continues the story one. The mixture of speech and narration bubbles adds depth to the storytelling. Overall, the books are well written and illustrated. While I enjoy reading them, they feel predictable in following common superhero themes.
References
Willson, G. W. (2015). Ms. Marvel: Crushed. QC, Canada: Marvel Now!
Willson, G. W. (2015). Ms. Marvel: Last Days. QC, Canada: Marvel Now!
Images are pictures taken of the books by me.
