As Ms. Marvel is set to release on Disney+ in less than two weeks, the first batch of social media reactions have come in for the new MCU series. Since the MCU's Phase 4 kicked off, Marvel Studios has begun to flesh out the franchise outside the big screen. With the launch of the Disney+ service, the streamer has become a second home for the ever-expanding MCU. As Marvel Studios have been able to create new shows for established characters, such as Loki, WandaVision and Hawkeye, various new heroes and villains have also appeared following the departures of a few Avengers after the Infinity Saga.
Disney+ is also serving as a vehicle to allow the next generation of superheroes to jump from the pages of the Marvel Universe to the screen. One of them is Kamala Khan, who will be played by Iman Vellani in the upcoming series Ms. Marvel. The show follows the iconic teenager, who is an ardent Captain Marvel fan and wishes to be a superhero herself. After Kamala discovers her cosmic powers, it takes her down her own heroic path, which will lead to her joining forces with Carol Danvers in The Marvels.
With Ms. Marvel officially premiering on Disney+ in exactly two weeks from now, the first early reactions have arrived. As with previous MCU movies and shows, various members of the press have been able to see the first few episodes of Ms. Marvel in advance. Without revealing any spoilers, here is what critics are saying about the first Ms. Marvel episodes:
Something that started a significant conversation before early reactions had come out was the fact that Ms. Marvel was changing Kamala's powers. In the comics, Kamala, who is an Inhuman, has the ability to extend her limps as well as shapeshift. For the MCU television series, Ms. Marvel is depicting her as having cosmic powers, similar to Carol, which caused a lot of criticism, with many feeling that the change was unnecessary. Based on a lot of the early press reactions, it seems that the Ms. Marvel writers have found a solid way to justify the change, with many referencing how it will tie in with Kamala's heritage.
Another huge takeaway is the praise for Ms. Marvel's leading star Vellani, who landed the role after a unanimous decision amongst Marvel Studios executives. Her MCU gig is officially the actress' first major credit, along with The Marvels, which arrives in theaters in 2023. With the arrival of Ms. Marvel, it marks the first superhero TV show to be headlined by a middle-eastern character who is also Muslim. As superhero media has been working on trying to be more inclusive, it will be exciting to see mainstream audiences follow a character with a different culture that isn't normally depicted in major IPs like the MCU
Ms. Marvel premieres on Wednesday, June 8 on Disney+.
Source: Various (see links)