Warning: Contains spoilers forGiant-Size Dark Phoenix #1!
Marvel Comics has been teasing an evolution forKamala Khan’ssuperpowers following her MCU debut, and the major change to comics lore has finally been confirmed in her latest adventure. Ever since theMs. Marvelseries dropped a hint about its titular hero being a mutant, her counterpart in the comics has become a major part of theX-Menfranchise, and Kamala’s quest through X-history is having major consequences.
Giant-Size Dark Phoenix#1, written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with art by Rod Reis, isKamala’s latest trip down mutant memory lane, bringing the young hero into the iconic Jean Grey story. When faced with a variant of Legion and the Phoenix Force, Ms. Marvel finally debuts her new abilities.
After the character’s Disney+ series altered her abilities and origin, readers had been speculating if Kamala’s powers would change in the comics, andMs. Marvel’s latest display of power is identical to her MCU counterpart. However, the sparkly and purplish hard-light powers have already been contentious among fans.
Marvel Alters Kamala Khan’s Comics Powers To Officially Mirror Her MCU Abilities
Giant-Size Dark Phoenix#1; Written By Collin Kelly And Jackson Lanzing; Art By Rod Reis; Lettering By VC’s Clayton Cowles
Ms. Marvel’s mutant powers have been evolvingsince her visit to an alternate past inGiant-Size X-Men#1, butcrossing paths with Dark Phoenix just solidified her abilities' similarities to the MCU’s version of the character. Instead of shimmering gold strength powering up her stretchy hands like it looked like her powers would evolve in the last issue, Kamala officially has the ability to create purple and blue-hued hard-light constructs. The wall she makes is tough; even though it can’t stop the almighty Phoenix Force, it does have the strength to hold back a powerful variant of David Haller’s Legion.
A potential change in powers has been teased since Marvel Comics revealed that Earth-616’s Kamala Khan was also a mutant, like her MCU counterpart. With her unique physiology as both a mutant and Inhuman, it’s been said that Kamala’s polymorphic powers that she received as a result of exposure to Terrigen Mist could have suppressed her mutant abilities until now. However, asshe embarks on her journey through X-Men history, Ms. Marvel’s mutant powers have officially come to light. Though many fans prefer her original comics power-set, Kamala’s latest hard-light evolution gives her character stronger synergy with the MCU’s adaptation.
The MCU’s Ms. Marvel Changed the Character Forever, Making Her A Fixture Of X-Men Lore
Kamala’s Original Powers Are Still Beloved By Fans
After Disney+‘sMs. Marvelmade Kamala Khan a mutant, her co-creator Sana Amanat stated that the character was actually originally intended to be a mutant in the comics as well. Still, some fans feel thatKamala’s new mutant power is a betrayalof the themes that were established with her debut. Kamala’s original powers made her an outsider, especially during her origin, with her “embiggening” providing hints of body horror instead of being sparkly and fun. Ms. Marvel’s new mutant powers literally shimmer, and don’t seem very difficult to reckon with, making them less inspirational and resonant with audiences.
Just as fans predicted, Kamala Khan’s controversial power evolution will totally change Ms. Marvel’s place in the X-Men franchise.
Thankfully, with the introduction of her new powers, it doesn’t seem that Kamala will also be losing her original abilities, meaningMs. Marvel’s mutant evolution is just unlocking new facets of her character and not taking anything away.However, there have only been two parts to herquest through X-Men lore, and anything could happen when Ms. Marvel finds herselfin theAge of ApocalypseandHouse of Mtimelines. Just as fans predicted,Kamala Khan’s controversial power evolution will totally change Ms. Marvel’s place in the X-Men franchise, and could have more surprising ramifications for the Marvel Universe.
