'Ms. Marvel': Kamala Khan's powers in Phase 4 series are 'not an exact translation' from the comics
Disney+ series 'Ms. Marvel' will introduce the newest teenage superhero to the MCU. Played by Iman Vellani, the teenage superhero is one of Phase 4’s most popular newcomers. Following the conclusion of her upcoming Disney+ series, Ms. Marvel is also confirmed to team up with Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) in 'The Marvels'.
Described as a smart Pakistani-American geek who loves playing video games, hanging out with friends, and writing Avengers fan fiction, Kamala is the first Muslim character to star in her own Marvel Comics series. She possesses 'Inhuman' lineage activated by the Terrigen Bomb and became a polymorph with the ability to stretch her body in almost any way imaginable. The trailer for the upcoming Phase 4 series has confirmed that Ms. Marvel is keeping her comic look and characteristics, but definitely not her powers.
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Origin and powers in comics
A typical 16-year-old in Jersey City, Kamala one night had an argument with her parents who forbade her to go to a high school party. In a rare rebellion, she went against her parents' wishes and decided to sneak out which changed her life forever. During that night, a strange, transformative chemical cloud known as "Terrigen Mist" was unleashed by the events of Marvel’s Infinity storyline. The blue gas surrounded Kamala as she walked home alone. Her dormant “Inhuman” genes were activated by the Terrigen, and she was instantly covered in a cocoon to begin her transformation.
When she became conscious, Kamala discovered she had the extraordinary ability to shapeshift her body. She could also change her size at will, “embiggening” or shrinking meaning that she can enlarge and extend her limbs with the proportional strength to match. An additional ability that Ms. Marvel possesses in the comic books is a healing factor. Since Ms. Marvel doesn’t have superhuman durability, she can die from a fatal bullet wound, but her rapid healing factor can fix most injuries.
Kamala later takes the name Ms. Marvel from her idol Carol Danvers, who goes by the alias Captain Marvel. Similar to Spiderman, she began her superhero career as a friendly neighborhood hero, but the universe had other plans for Ms. Marvel, and she soon found herself involved in major events ranging from the superhero conflict of Civil War II to the end of the world in 2015’s Secret Wars.
Kamala's storyline will be changed in 'Ms. Marvel'
The first full trailer for 'Ms. Marvel' revealed that Kamala's powers and origin storyline will be heavily changed from how they appear in the comics, giving her "cosmic energy" rather than embiggening abilities. Kamala finds a pair of bangles that give her "cosmic superstrength" along with the "ability to manifest purple crystals" when she puts them on her wrists. The bangles are akin to the Nega-Bands, powerful bracelets worn by the original Captain Marvel. This is a drastic change from the comics, in which Terrigen Mist unlocked Kamala's Inhuman abilities.
In an interview with Empire, Marvel studio president Kevin Feige explained why Kamala Khan's Inhuman powers were changed for Ms. Marvel and teased how it will connect her to the larger MCU. “We adapt the comics; it’s not an exact translation. [Kamala] came about in a very specific time within the comic-book continuity. She is now coming into a very specific time within the MCU continuity. And those two things didn’t match" he said. Kevin further revealed that "What we will learn about where those powers come from, and how they come about, is specific to the MCU." He also attempted to reassure fans of the character that, despite this change, Kamala will still have "big, giant hands and arms... in spirit". As for why her powers are so specific to the MCU, it's due to how Kamala Khan's story will connect "to her other friends that she will meet in the upcoming film The Marvels," which will also connect "to her own past and her heritage and lineage."
'Ms. Marvel' premieres on Disney+ on June 8.
