20 Lesser-Known Female Superheroes

Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel (Image via Marvel)

2. Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)

Like a lot of superhero names, the “Ms. Marvel” moniker has belonged to several individuals. However, we’re specifically here to talk about Kamala Khan, the most recent Ms. Marvel. She debuted in Captain Marvel #14 (August 2013). Her solo series, Ms. Marvel hit the stands in February 2014.

Kamala Khan is important for a number of reasons. One, she’s the first Muslim character to headline her own comic series. As written by G. Willow Wilson and drawn by Adrian Alphona, Khan’s story walks the balance between her life as a modern teenager and as the daughter of a Pakistani-American family. The series doesn’t shy away from depicting her religion and culture, as well as the tensions between Kamala’s family and modern American life. The series also doesn’t fall into the all-too-easy trap of villainizing Muslim people.

Kamala is also really, really fun. Yes, she’s battling villains and navigating high school and teenage relationships. However, that doesn’t stop her from cracking jokes and having fun with her newfound powers. At one point, she goes up against the Inventor, a bird/man hybrid that is fully acknowledged as a ridiculous foe.

Okay, some backstory. Kamala takes on the Ms. Marvel identity after she discovers that she has Inhuman genes – basically, that she’s been a dormant superhero all along. Khan discovers that she can change her shape at will, stretching limbs and changing size when necessary. Since Carol Danvers has gone on to become Captain Marvel, her previous Ms. Marvel name is ready for Khan. Kamala idolizes Carol, so it’s a natural pick for her to emulate her hero.

During her first story arc, Khan also teams up with Wolverine. While you may be rightfully rolling your eyes – seriously, does everyone have to team up with Wolverine at some point? – it’s actually a fun, unexpected story. Since Wolverine has lost his healing factor, Kamala has to take on the majority of their team-up duties. Writer G. Willow Wilson intentionally sought to subvert the typical Wolverine expectations and gave many of his duties to Kamala instead.