As Marvel makes strides towards a more inclusive and diverse cinematic universe, fans have been clamoring for the studio to adapt one of its most beloved characters: Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel. The character, created by editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker, writer G. Willow Wilson, and artists Adrian Alphona and Jamie McKelvie, made her debut in 2013, and quickly became one of the brand’s most popular young heroes.
And while Kevin Feige has confirmed plans to introduce Ms. Marvel to the MCU, some fans simply can’t wait. Alaras Productions, created by siblings Arshad, Almas, and Asad Aslam, made a 17-minute short fan film that follows the first issue of Ms. Marvel (No Normal). The siblings produced the film, with Arshad directing, where the world of Kamala Khan is brought to life.
The short is a great tribute to the comic, pulling dialogue from the book and recreating panels. Like the first issue, the short introduces us to Kamala Khan (Sanchita Malik) and her family, including her parents and her overly pious brother Aamir. The Aslam family (who are Muslim) bring an authenticity to the Khans and the Muslim-American experience.
Whether it’s Kamala’s annoyance at the prayer alarm clock, or the casual racism she faces from the popular white kids at her high school, the short perfectly captures Kamala’s experience as an outsider. We also get to meet her friends, serious Nakia (Kally Khourshid) and nerdy convenience store clerk Bruno (Jonathan David).
The short follows Kamala as she tries to fit in with the other kids at school and bucks against her conservative upbringing. We see Kamala sneak out of the house to go to a high school party, where she is tricked into drinking alcohol and is quickly embarrassed. The short does a great job of capturing the humor of the book, along with Kamala’s enthusiastic nerdery. We see Kamala writing Marvel/Star Wars crossover fanfic, as illustrations bring her words to life.
Kamala Khan, a teen Pakistani-American from Jersey City who discovers she has shape=shifting abilities, became the first Muslim character to headline her own series. The award-winning series was a hit, with Khan appearing in the animated television film Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors as well as the animated series Avengers Assemble.
While we continue to wait for a Ms. Marvel MCU appearance, there’s plenty of fun to found in this charming short fan film.
(via ComicsBeat, image: screencap)
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