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Cover of Ms. Marvel's America

Ms. Marvel's America

by Jessica Baldanzi

Book Details

Publisher:Univ. Press of Mississippi
Published:2020-02-28
Pages:258
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

Contributions by José Alaniz, Jessica Baldanzi, Eric Berlatsky, Peter E. Carlson, Sika A. Dagbovie-Mullins, Antero Garcia, Aaron Kashtan, Winona Landis, A. David Lewis, Martin Lund, Shabana Mir, Kristin M. Peterson, Nicholaus Pumphrey, Hussein Rashid, and J. Richard Stevens Mainstream superheroes are becoming more and more diverse, with new identities for Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man. Though the Marvel-verse is becoming much more racially, ethnically, and gender diverse, many

Our Review

This collection of scholarly essays examines how Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel embodies a new, more inclusive vision of American identity within mainstream comics. The contributors explore how her character navigates issues of race, religion, and cultural heritage, offering a critical lens on the evolving superhero genre. The analysis positions her not just as a hero, but as a symbol of a changing nation grappling with its own diversity. This is a deep dive into the cultural significance of a character who redefines what it means to be a hero in modern America.

What makes this academic work compelling is its multifaceted approach, drawing from a wide range of voices to dissect everything from Kamala's fangirl origins to her Pakistani-American and Muslim background. Teen readers and young adults interested in the intersection of pop culture and social issues will find a rich, thought-provoking resource that validates their own experiences. It ultimately demonstrates how a single comic book character can powerfully reflect and critique the complex tapestry of contemporary American life.

Themes

Literary Criticism

Subjects

Literary Criticism