What Did You Think of…Ms. Marvel?

Today we are going to talk about the December’s book of the month, Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson.  This is the first time we had a graphic novel as the theme and the book of the month.  This really in keeping with the focus of the book club, to read diversely as possible.  First let’s check out this book and see what it is all about.

   Marvel Comics presents the new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation!

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she’s suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she’s comin’ for you, Jersey!

It’s history in the making from acclaimed writer G. Willow Wilson (Air, Cairo) and beloved artist Adrian Alphona (RUNAWAYS)! Collecting MS. MARVEL (2014) #1-5 and material from ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! POINT ONE #1.

Questions to think about and/or answer:

• Describe the typical comic book hero.
• Do the typical comic book heroes portray the reality of our society?
• Are comic books the only type of media that poorly represent minorities?
• How does Kamala Khan differ from the typical comic book hero?
• Why are these differences significant?
• What can we learn from Kamala Khan about what it is like being a Pakistani-American, Muslim, 16 year-old girl?
• What can we learn from Kamala Khan about Islam?
• What can we learn from Kamala Khan about gender stereotypes?

Questions from Valencia College website

What did you think of Ms. Marvel?

Mocha Girl Heather

This is not my first graphic novel, but compared to the other ones I have read this year, Ms. Marvel is sub-par. Language is generic and illustrations are not that alluring. Even though this is listed as YA it reads more like a children’s story. So many better graphic novels out there.

Mocha Girl Vivian (@The Book Diva Reads)

This wasn’t my first graphic novel or even my first graphic novel by Ms. Wilson. I enjoyed Cairo by Ms. Wilson a lot more, and absolutely love The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman. I have to agree with Heather, the language is much more child-appropriate than teen/adult-appropriate, but I think that was done purposefully to allow for broader audience appeal. My god-daughters (ages 8, 12, and 15 and Muslim) loved this graphic novel, primarily because it featured a Muslim teen.

So what did you think about Ms. Marvel?  Did you like reading a graphic novel?  Was it to young for you?

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Mocha Girl Maya

Hi there! It's Maya here. I'm a 23 year-old blogger and author. I have entirely too many books and I plan to get many more. I enjoy writing about books and talking about them and I wished I'd had realized how fun it was a lot sooner.

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