Kamala Khan is unlike any other hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She's a Pakistani American, Muslim teenager. She's an Avengers fangirl. The uncoordinated New Jersey native can barely sneak out her bedroom window without falling. The protagonist of Disney+'s "Ms. Marvel" is different in every way, and that's why she, and the series, are such a joy to watch.
While the majority of the streamer's franchise TV series have had difficulty working Marvel's mythology and tangled narratives into compelling stories that actually make sense, "Ms. Marvel" doesn't struggle with that issue in the two episodes provided for review. Kamala's fandom adds just enough context to connect her with the Avenger timeline, even as the series marches to the beat of its own tabla.
The six-episode show, from head writer Bisha K. Ali, is a young-adult, second-generation immigrant comedy, a la Netflix's "Never Have I Ever," and a superhero drama in which coming of age means stumbling into one's powers, a la Miles Morales of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." It's full of American pop culture references and Bollywood nods and witty commentary about the connections and chasms between East and West. Kamala (played with verve by newcomer Iman Vellani) moves between cosplay conventions and the mosque with ease. From its charming lead to its playful execution, "Ms. Marvel" turns superhero formulas on their heads while honoring the MCU pantheon.
