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The Best Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) Comics!

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[covers by Sara Pichelli & Justin Ponsor; Mashal Ahmed; and Cliff Chiang]

The world seems to slip by so fast these days—hence, why the past decade feels like two decades! (And yes, that’s the usual cliché inverted, because it’s truer!) Somehow, in 2022, it seems like Kamala Khan has always been with us and yet only a little more than eight years have passed since her January 2014 debut. Now obviously, it’s not like she’s there in the comics before 2014’s historic Marvel Now relaunch (not a reboot), but really, so much has been done to assure Marvel readers, especially those who came of age in the 2010s, that this Ms. Marvel, from a Jersey City Pakistani immigrant family and a diverse high school, is even more than just the Peter Parker of her time. Kamala is unique for a star Big Two superhero because whereas most superheroes are sped through what would realistically be their gradual, formative phase, to get them away from their families and their everyday, relatable lives and settings, to launch them into cosmic battles and world-ending dramas, Marvel has from the beginning to the present moment stewarded this character to guarantee that she is what has been all too rare in superhero comics: an authentic in-universe viewpoint for an entire generation of fans, a position she shares perhaps only with Spider-Man Miles Morales. [Read more…] about The Best Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) Comics!

The Trouble With Wanda Maximoff in The Trial of Magneto

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The Trial of Magneto, cover by Valerio Schiti, written by Leah Williams, art by Lucas Werneck, David Messina and Edgar Delgado, lettering by Clayton Cowles

X-Men: The Trial of Magneto was an interesting moment for Krakoa. To begin with, it was published more or less alongside Jonathan Hickman’s departure from the X-Men franchise; however, the events in Inferno primarily occur in the aftermath of Trial. Each story is equally vital in establishing what will come next for several central characters, but tonally they couldn’t be more different. Despite creative crossover and both mini-series being game-changers for how the story of Krakoa will unfold going forward, there is a surprising lack of overlap between them. Indeed, Xavier and Magneto are often at odds here, while in Inferno they appear as a much more united front.

In this way, Trial can seem inconsistent at first glance, but to declare it so would be to neglect decades of continuity. Many characters that appear are under serious stress, and some of their more negative traits from days gone by are on display. In that way, Trial becomes a story that is not inconsistent, but about both growth and how we at times fail to grow, reverting to toxic behaviors that we thought we’d placed far behind us.

Discussing The Trial of Magneto #1-5 [Read more…] about The Trouble With Wanda Maximoff in The Trial of Magneto

Swamp Thing in Gotham & Space: Alan Moore’s Final Odyssey

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Through hell, war, and madness, the love between Abigail Arcane and Swamp Thing has only grown deeper. But can it withstand a world that hates them? And even worse, can it stand being separated by light years apart?

After taking over Saga of the Swamp Thing with issue 20 in 1984, Alan Moore and collaborators redefined and expanded the character of Alec Holland in ways that not only permanently changed the meaning of Swamp Thing, but influenced generations of stories at DC Comics. But while his long-running “American Gothic” storyline would reach a massive climax in issue 50, there were still more stories to tell, even as original artistic collaborators Stephen Bisette and John Tottleben would leave the title and be replaced by penciller Rick Veitch and inker Alfredo Alcala. But by 1987, Alan Moore would come to the end of his time in the swamps and soon after leave DC Comics forever. [Read more…] about Swamp Thing in Gotham & Space: Alan Moore’s Final Odyssey

Hickmania #4: A Red Mass For Mars (W/ Sara Century!)

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Hello and welcome to Comic Book Herald’s Hickmania, a series running through 2022 where we’ll be reading and analyzing the creator-owned works of writer Jonathan Hickman, from his debut The Nightly News through to his most recent output. We’ll be reading one creator-owned work a month through 2022, and each month I’ll release a new analysis with a new guest discussing the comic!

Today we’re talking A Red Mass for Mars and I’m joined by Sara Century! We’ll analyze the work in depth, so expect spoilers!

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[Read more…] about Hickmania #4: A Red Mass For Mars (W/ Sara Century!)

Ava Ayala (White Tiger) Reading Order!

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Ava Ayala is the third person to be the White Tiger. She has always idolized her brother Hector, the first to assume the mantle and become an active Hispanic hero. He is her role model. But, one day, Gideon Mace attacked her house, injuring Ava and killing her parents and sister Awilda. Hector was devastated and gave up on being a hero.

After Hector’s death, Angela Del Toro – Awilda’s daughter – inherited the White Tiger amulet. But when she was corrupted by Hand ninjas, she had to be imprisoned. The tiger amulet fell into Ava’s hands; as a teenager, she decided to join Avengers Academy, hoping she would learn how to be a great hero.

After that, she had many adventures with the Mighty Avengers and the New Avengers. Her past with Gideon Mace and not fully controlling the Tiger God, the spirit that gives power to the amulet, are constant problems she faces. The character is captivating and should be more talked about and explored. If you like her, try to check her appearances in the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series; she is a relevant character in Spider-Man’s team. [Read more…] about Ava Ayala (White Tiger) Reading Order!