Magnificent Ms. Marvel #16 Review
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Artist: Minkyu Jung
Colourist: Ian Herring
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Magnificent Ms. Marvel is back! And Kamala is still adjusting to the "new normal" produced by the Outlawed event and Kamala's Law. This issue delivers a nice balance between expository exploration of the situation with her supporting cast and a thrilling action set-piece with her new neighbour-hero, Amulet.
The issue opens with a tense breakfast in the Khan house. Kamala's parents are distrustful of Ms. Marvel and counsel her against voicing her opposition to her eponymous law. Mr. Ahmed's decision to magic away her parents' knowledge of her superhero identity pays big dividends here, as this conflict is significantly deepened by putting Kamala and her parents on opposing sides.
From there, we get a sharp scene with Kamala, Nakia, and Bruno that extends the Outlawed conflict into her peer group. Zoe is still MIA thanks to her support of Kamala's Law. And after Bruno peels away, Kamala and Nakia discuss the real romantic triangle tensions surrounding Mike.
Once we've racked up enough supporting cast action, Kamala runs into a C.R.A.D.L.E. squad at the new juice bar. But there's a twist: They're not hunting Ms. Marvel; they're after Amulet. She hooks up with the new hero and they solve one of his characteristic demon-hunting missions. It's a fully-satisfying action piece, and it's heavily overcast with thoughts of the Outlawed situation. Amulet is open about his identity in a way that directly contrasts Kamala's situation, throwing her conflicts into even sharper relief.
Wrap it all up with an antagonist spotlight scene that delivers another slice of Mr. Ahmed's excellent take on Dum Dum Dugan, and what you get is a perfect serving of teen hero action. (With a shocking twist laid on in the final panel, too!) This issue's script makes significant progress on all its ongoing storylines while also delivering an excellent self-contained demon fight.
I judged Minkyu Jung's art harshly when reviewing the previous issue, but he's back up to his best here. Without inking assistance, he delivers a finely-blocked and highly-polished set of visuals that clearly portray both combat and emotions. His facial expressions are consistently delightful, starting right from Yusuf's wide eyes and frowns in the initial scene.
Ian Herring continues his secret mission to keep Ms. Marvel's Jersey City unique and distinctive -- he's coloured the vast majority of her solo comics. Here, fresh outfits and new settings are perfectly integrated into the warm palette that Mr. Herring has laid out for Jersey City. By now, it's become a welcoming home, a consistent and comfortable world that shows both realism and unreal heroics with equal believability.
Magnificent Ms. Marvel #16 marks a return to high-quality form, evolving Kamala's struggles with the Outlawed status quo and checking in strongly with her supporting cast. Action is not lacking thanks to another thrilling team-up with Amulet, and this series retains its strong command of endearing and compelling teen hero adventures.
Artist: Minkyu Jung
Colourist: Ian Herring
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Magnificent Ms. Marvel is back! And Kamala is still adjusting to the "new normal" produced by the Outlawed event and Kamala's Law. This issue delivers a nice balance between expository exploration of the situation with her supporting cast and a thrilling action set-piece with her new neighbour-hero, Amulet.
The issue opens with a tense breakfast in the Khan house. Kamala's parents are distrustful of Ms. Marvel and counsel her against voicing her opposition to her eponymous law. Mr. Ahmed's decision to magic away her parents' knowledge of her superhero identity pays big dividends here, as this conflict is significantly deepened by putting Kamala and her parents on opposing sides.
From there, we get a sharp scene with Kamala, Nakia, and Bruno that extends the Outlawed conflict into her peer group. Zoe is still MIA thanks to her support of Kamala's Law. And after Bruno peels away, Kamala and Nakia discuss the real romantic triangle tensions surrounding Mike.
Once we've racked up enough supporting cast action, Kamala runs into a C.R.A.D.L.E. squad at the new juice bar. But there's a twist: They're not hunting Ms. Marvel; they're after Amulet. She hooks up with the new hero and they solve one of his characteristic demon-hunting missions. It's a fully-satisfying action piece, and it's heavily overcast with thoughts of the Outlawed situation. Amulet is open about his identity in a way that directly contrasts Kamala's situation, throwing her conflicts into even sharper relief.
Wrap it all up with an antagonist spotlight scene that delivers another slice of Mr. Ahmed's excellent take on Dum Dum Dugan, and what you get is a perfect serving of teen hero action. (With a shocking twist laid on in the final panel, too!) This issue's script makes significant progress on all its ongoing storylines while also delivering an excellent self-contained demon fight.
I judged Minkyu Jung's art harshly when reviewing the previous issue, but he's back up to his best here. Without inking assistance, he delivers a finely-blocked and highly-polished set of visuals that clearly portray both combat and emotions. His facial expressions are consistently delightful, starting right from Yusuf's wide eyes and frowns in the initial scene.
Ian Herring continues his secret mission to keep Ms. Marvel's Jersey City unique and distinctive -- he's coloured the vast majority of her solo comics. Here, fresh outfits and new settings are perfectly integrated into the warm palette that Mr. Herring has laid out for Jersey City. By now, it's become a welcoming home, a consistent and comfortable world that shows both realism and unreal heroics with equal believability.
Magnificent Ms. Marvel #16 marks a return to high-quality form, evolving Kamala's struggles with the Outlawed status quo and checking in strongly with her supporting cast. Action is not lacking thanks to another thrilling team-up with Amulet, and this series retains its strong command of endearing and compelling teen hero adventures.
A Look Inside
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