The Marvelous Muslim Superhero Breaks the Male Mold
Ashley Noelle Lesiak — November 9, 2013 — Tech
References: io9 & comicsalliance
Comic book icon Marvel recently announced an addition to its crime fighting ranks; butt-kicking shape shifter Kamala Khan breaks the mold in more than one way. Not only is she a woman, but she is also Muslim. This new diversity is quite shocking seeing as Marvel only has seven super leading lady tittles and only four minority lead tittles.
Kamala calls her crime fighting alter ego Ms. Marvel, as she looks up to Captain Marvel. As she is a teenager, Ms. Marvel’s main personal plot is her feelings of otherness and coming to terms with her traditional Muslim family and her shape-shifting abilities. The creators hope she will relate to all teens going through feelings of awkwardness and alienation.
Another positive female fans will rejoice in hearing is that Ms. Marvel’s costume is not skimpy, but practical. Her costume consists of a t-shirt, jeans, and a scarf around her neck. Since the character, as well as the writer and artist, is a practicing Muslim she will not be put in any overly sexual poses or positions.
Kamala calls her crime fighting alter ego Ms. Marvel, as she looks up to Captain Marvel. As she is a teenager, Ms. Marvel’s main personal plot is her feelings of otherness and coming to terms with her traditional Muslim family and her shape-shifting abilities. The creators hope she will relate to all teens going through feelings of awkwardness and alienation.
Another positive female fans will rejoice in hearing is that Ms. Marvel’s costume is not skimpy, but practical. Her costume consists of a t-shirt, jeans, and a scarf around her neck. Since the character, as well as the writer and artist, is a practicing Muslim she will not be put in any overly sexual poses or positions.
Trend Themes
1. Diverse Representation in Superhero Comics - Creating diverse superheroes that break traditional molds in terms of gender, ethnicity, and religion offers disruptive innovation opportunities for the comic book industry.
2. Authentic and Practical Superhero Costumes - Designing superhero costumes that prioritize practicality and authenticity rather than sexualization can revolutionize the way characters are depicted in the comic book industry.
3. Exploring Teenagers' Identity and Otherness - Addressing the themes of identity, otherness, and alienation through teenage superhero characters allows for innovative storytelling in the comic book industry.
Industry Implications
1. Comic Book Industry - The comic book industry can capitalize on the trend of diverse representation and create more inclusive and relatable superheroes.
2. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can take inspiration from practical superhero costumes, incorporating functionality and authenticity into their designs.
3. Entertainment Industry - The entertainment industry, including movies and TV shows, can adapt and showcase the stories of diverse superheroes, appealing to a wider audience and opening up new market opportunities.
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