Ms. Marvel has been an entirely different Marvel show on Disney+. It does not follow the pacing of previous properties and definitely beats to it’s own drum. Though episode 5 was not fast paced and full of action, it provided answers to Kamala’s past and a way forward into the future.
Into the Past:
Marvel took the time to not only depict the Partition, but provided education and context to the conflict. We are taken back to the Partition and find Aisha (Mehwish Hayat) and Hasan (Fawad Kahn) as they meet and build a family together.
Hasan grows roses, but is finding it hard to sell his flowers as he believes that he is being avoided because he is Muslim. He cannot even buy basic food for his family.
Aisha, content with her new family is confronted with her past as Najma gives her until sundown the next day to return the bracelet. Aisha then convinces Hasan to leave their home in hopes of a new life and escape from her past.
While heading to find a place on the train, Aisha falls behind, Sana (Zion Usman) is separated from Hasan, and Kamala appears. Aisha is confronted by Najma and is fatally stabbed. Kamala finds Aisha and is made aware that she was brought to that moment to save her young grandmother. Kamala is given the encouragement she needs to make a difference, and is able to find and send young Sana back to her father using her powers.
As Kamala returns to the present, a gate has opened from Najma stabbing the bracelet. One of the Clan Destine attempt to enter the gate only to be encased in stone and reduced to bones. Kamala focuses on saving people in harms way, and pleads with Najma to help close the gate. Najma appears to agree and sacrifices herself to close the gate, but not before transferring her power to Kamran a continent away.
Kamala’s heroic acts are seen by her Mother and Grandmother. With Kamala’s secret out, Muneeba is able to understand all of the strange behavior that she has witnessed from her daughter. It is also a time for Muneeba to realize that Sana (Samina Ahmed) was not crazy about their family being magic.
This episode had more to do with the healing needed with Kamala’s family, breaking down stigmas, and bringing to light the truth that was avoided out of shame when it needed not to be. The end of the episode does its part to build suspense for the finale episode. With the pacing of this series, Ms. Marvel feels more well rounded and has taken more care to build the world around our hero. There is much more story to tell than the next episode would be able to handle, but with Kamala Khan being here to stay, we have plenty of time to explore those avenues at a later time.
Be sure to catch the MARVELous series Ms. Marvel out now on Disney+
So, let’s discuss the Infinity Stone-crazed elephant in the room – the late, great Thanos.
After being developed for almost a decade, Thanos was beaten in Avengers Endgame and fans had concerns that after such an amazing journey in the MCU, who would be the next major villain to step up.
And sadly in Phase 4, we haven’t seen that villain step up just yet. (Yes, I know it’s early and most likely coming, but we’re also seeing a troubling pattern.)
Sure, Kang was introduced in Loki and Scarlett Witch was an absolute powerhouse in Multiverse of Madness, but we’ve begun to see more villains that are one-and-done (at least in their crusades) than what we saw in the Infinity Saga or other projects before.
It must be said that I think the villains have been solid, just seems like their stories come to a close too soon.
You have to remember, villains like Loki and Thanos not only had rich arcs, they had rich demises, where it took 2 films or more to take these characters down.
In MoM, Scarlett Witch’s ending is rather abrupt. (We know she’s not done of course.) But this ending of the film comes after such amazing arc building for Wanda over so many years.
Loki – MCU All-Rights Reserved Marvel Studios
Her pain has been palpable and what we saw in WandaVision was such an amazing backstory. The film just left me wanting more from her. (Which hopefully we get.)
Now, the same can be said for Najma in Ms. Marvel.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Her ending in episode 5 felt so similar to Wanda’s in MoM. She seemed to have a realization and then boom, she’s out.
Sure, previous MCU villains have had their runs cut short.
But I think there was always one or two bigger baddies waiting in the wings, dealing with setbacks and regrouping, unwilling to give up on whatever crazy mission they had in mind.
Najma in Ms. Marvel – All-Rights Reserved Marvel Studios
In phase 4, things just feel a bit scattered. From the Department of Damage Control to Wanda to Kang and the TVA to now Najma and the Djinn, I’m just left wanting more again.
I’m also left wanting to know more about where this is all heading.
And hopefully that’s something we’ll find out in the not so distant future.
Hello, it’s Pooja Aka Samosas & Popcorn, and I like to start the discussion on movies and TV so you don’t have to!
This time around, I had a fantastic discussion with Michael (SuperheroTok) about my journey into the world of nerdy things and how that has impacted my time as a content creator.
I never thought in a million years that almost 2,000 people would want to listen to me ramble on about movies and TV, and yet here we are!
The inspiration to utilize my TikTok for movie and TV discussions came from seeing how few BIPOC reviewers and creators there were that discussed anything nerdy that has come out. Being South Asian, I wanted to throw my name out there and get myself involved in the conversation.
At the end of the day, my goal is to have fun and positive discussions that welcome critique and praise about anything. And it’s all resulted in new communities, new friendships, and unique discussions about even things I never considered in the past!
And while I’m still navigating the world of content creation, I have certainly found a place where I belong and have even started doing small series on my page, like my Commentary Fun series.
Being a part of the Nerd Initiative has really helped to expand on my goal and has made a much bigger space for content creators like myself to share their perspectives without judgement.
And that’s what the Nerd Initiative is all about and it’s why I’m happy to be able to share my journey up to now. My hope is that it inspires others to use their voice as well!
In this edition of “A Beginner’s Guide,” we’ll dive into Spider-Man for those people who know nothing about the comics, movies and shows.
For new readers, getting into the world of comic books can feel daunting to say the least. With stories spanning across nearly a century, there is realistically no possible way to read everything.
While the history of comic lore is vast, it also splits in many different directions. With ‘multiverses’ and alternate realities and even time travel and tie-in series, it can get overwhelming fast for the uninitiated.
Random Comic Book Covers
Go online and look up “how to get into comic books” and you’ll see the same few things suggested over and over. Many say things like “just start reading anything” or “pick a character and start with that character.”
These tips are all well and good for someone who already knows what they are getting into for the most part. Even if you’ve only seen the movies or TV shows, you have a general idea of what you like and what characters appeal to you.
But what about everyone else?
Thinking Of A Solution
But I was thinking, what about the person who knows NOTHING about the fandom at all? What if someone has never seen a single Spider-Man movie or read a single Batman comic book?
What if someone is trying to learn about this nerdy world we love because they just want to find something new to love and be passionate about?
Here is my first tip before we get into Spider-Man entry points. Think of the media that you DO consume on a regular basis. What books do you read? Think of what movies you enjoy most. Or maybe some of your favorite genres or topics in media?
Whatever you’re into, there is a comic book related to it. Not everything is about superheroes and supervillains.
There are independent creators and companies releasing all kinds of amazing stories and characters every single week. In a later article we will dive into that side of the comic book world.
This article is for those of you who love or are interested in everyone’s favorite wall crawler Spider-Man.
With over 60 years of content, Spider-Man is one of those legacy characters that can give a new reader anxiety. But he also gives so many hope and is a character than ANYONE can relate to.
Well as a Spider-Man super fan myself, in no particular order, here are my top 3 Spider-Man comic book runs that I would recommend for anyone looking to read about the web head for the first time .
Artwork By: Mark Bagley, Stuart Immonen, and David Lafuente
Release Date: September 2000
Arguably considered the best thing to come out of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe among fans, Ultimate Spider-Man was where it started. Taking place in an alternate reality, this series rebooted the entire Spider-Man story including its characters, for a new millennium.
I always recommend this series to new readers, due to the fact that you don’t need any prior knowledge of Spidey’s history to jump into this story.
It exists in its own reality and many of the characters were HEAVILY altered for the series. Even so, 20 million copies sold during the original publication run, is not to be taken lightly. This series is also where we get the first appearance of Miles Morales in comic books.
While this series couldn’t boast the kinds of numbers of Ultimate Spider-Man, this mini series from the late 90s is a great jumping off point. At only 17 issues in length is a relatively quick read for anyone looking to gain a swift understanding of the character.
It’s a modernized re-telling of some of the original Spider-Man stories from creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, that was designed to attract new readers to the character.
There is a side of the fan base that did not approve of what they perceived to be a “tampering” with the original works of Lee and Ditko, I would still recommend this to new readers. The original stories can be a bit long winded and feel a bit dated to the modern casual reader.
Spider-Man: Blue, in my personal opinion, is one of the greatest Spider-Man stories ever told. Released in 2002, the story follows Peter Parker on Valentine’s Day as he tape records himself recounting the series of events leading up to the death of Gwen Stacy, his first real love.
This is a 6 issue mini series that has been re printed in hardcover format several times since its initial printing. If you truly want to gain an understanding of the man behind the mask, Peter Parker, then this stand alone story is exactly what you’re looking for.
The Future Of This Article Series
This first article is just to give you a sample of what this series is attempting to do. We should all want to help the community grow, and the only way that is going to happen is if we share the knowledge we have with new and future readers.
The lack of comic book knowledge should not be a deterrent for people looking to enter this fandom. It should be their key to unlock the door to this world of amazing artwork and storytelling.
In 1984, we were introduced to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a comic series by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Just three years later, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered in an animated series and millions of kids fell in love with these lovable heroes.
The sequel also introduced us to one of the most lovable and admired characters in the movie, Keno, played by Ernie Reyes Jr. Keno is a high school kid who delivers pizza regularly to April O’Neil, which led him to befriend her and eventually the Turtles.
Later in the movie, he becomes a sort of sidekick, helping the Turtles take on the Foot Clan.
This character was made specifically for this movie as Keno was not a character that existed in the comics universe prior to this point. But since then, Keno hasn’t appeared in a movie, television show, or comic.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise and they’ve always held a special place in my heart.
I have fond memories of the cartoon show and watching the movies in theaters, looking forward to watching them with my friends and families, then imitating their ninja skills when I got home.
When the movie sequel came out, I absolutely idolized Keno. Here was someone who was closer to my age than any of the other human characters who not only got to meet the Turtles but fought alongside them! This was a dream come true for any kid at that time.
And Ernie Reyes Jr. was so great at playing this character (after all, the producers from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles specifically created the character of Keno for him!). His enthusiasm and martial arts skills instantly made you gravitate to his character, and he was definitely one of the breakouts of the movie.
So why hasn’t he made another appearance in any medium of the TMNT franchise since then? No idea.
But I’m hoping that with your help, we can change this. I made a TikTok video recently about this fact and how I wanted to change this. And to my surprise, I had so many people commenting on it, agreeing with me and stating they would like to sign the petition!
So starting today, let’s try to make this happen. Sign and share this petition, and start reaching out to those at IDW Publishing to let them know that you want to see this lovable character make its debut in the TMNT comicsverse!
With Multiverse of Madness hitting Disney+ earlier this week, fans are rewatching the MCU film again and noticing things they may not have on the first watch.
One thing fans certainly noticed was the third eye Strange got at the end of the film.
Our very own MrMARVELite had some insight into why this is… and it’s not so he can see better!
MrMARVELite explains that this physical change is similar to Wanda’s in the film, as the Darkhold affected and stained her hands black among other physical changes.
“We’re finally getting to see a Dr. Strange, who receives a physical toll for the use of dark magic,” he said.
Watch the full explanation below:
Multiverse of Madness is streaming now on Disney+.
Until week 3 of Ms. Marvel, fans of the comic book character had been raving about the inclusion and uniqueness the show, especially as it pertains to representation of the Muslim faith.
But in week 3, the Djinn were introduced as antagonists to the show’s title character and with that, many feel that was a major misstep.
Kamran’s Mother, Najma, is mentioned in association to Kamala’s great grandmother and the source of her powers, the Clan Destine and Djinn.
Though some of this was walked back this week, using religious beings (Djinn) that millions of Muslims hold as a part of their faith, in a trivial manner can only sour the experience for what has been an otherwise promising series.
We spoke at length about the implications of this inclusion of the Djinn, but also the positives the show still represents and brings forth to a wide audience. Watch the full discussion below!
Let us know what you think about episodes 3 and 4, and what you’d like to see moving forward.
If you’re any bit familiar with the world of anime, then you’ve probably heard of an anime called Spy X Family. Based on Tatsuya Endo’s ongoing manga of the same name, this is the anime to watch this summer season!
Meet The Unconventional Family of “Spies”
Spy X Family follows a peculiar group of characters: Loid Forger aka Twilight, a skilled spy; Yor Forger aka Briar or Thorn Princess, a professional assassin; and Anya Forger, a mind reader.
In order to prevent an all-out war from happening between two rival countries, Loid is assigned to Operation Strix, a mission meant to obtain and maintain closeness with a prominent political figure. However, this requires him to form a faux family involving the likes of Yor and adopting Anya. What starts as a simple mission immediately grows into a collection of hilarious situations and unexpected outcomes.
Tatsuya Endo/Shueisha, Spy x Family Project
Why Spy X Family Has Taken Over The World
With the anime just having ended Part 1 of its first season on Saturday, June 25, Spy X Family certainly feels like a combination ofslice of life and spy fiction. While it does seem to be an odd pairing, it works perfectly given the tone and context. It’s clumsy on purpose and sets up high stakes for a comedic payoff.
To support it all, it has a main cast of characters that everyone can love and there’s almost no point in resisting their charm. But it’s not just our main characters that get to shine! Several side, or supporting characters are guaranteed to make you giggle here and there.
Spy vs Family
While it is guaranteed to make you laugh, Spy X Family still keeps Operation Strix present in every episode. Some episodes, especially the first two, involve some intense moments as a way to introduce Loid and Yor. It fits the overall tone given both characters’ professions and what they need to do to stay discrete in their line of work. It’s not all fun and games…until Anya is in the picture, of course.
Tatsuya Endo/Shueisha, Spy x Family Project
After having watched all 12 episodes that are out, it’s been really difficult to pick my favorite part of the anime so far. I have to say though, episodes 4 and 5 had my stomach hurting and in a good way! There are so many moments in both episodes that you’ll think are meant to be serious because it is a spy anime after all. However, the characters will do a compete 180 and you find yourself facepalming in laughter.
Final Thoughts – Stop What You’re Doing and Go Watch Spy x Family
I think if you’re in need of a pick-up or if you just want a short and easy anime to watch, Spy X Family is a perfect choice. It’s fun, it’s adventurous, and you’ll love each character as you continue to watch. And best of all, Part 2 of Season 1 is coming out on October 4, 2022. Now’s the time to check it out!
Spy X Family is now streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
World peace is at stake and secret agent Twilight must undergo his most difficult mission yet—pretend to be a family man. Posing as a loving husband and father, he’ll infiltrate an elite school to get close to a high-profile politician. He has the perfect cover, except his wife’s a deadly assassin and neither knows each other’s identity. But someone does, his adopted daughter who’s a telepath!
In a world where individuals are unworthy, crime runs rampant in the — No. Wait. Wrong storyline. Ha, had you for a second right? This isn’t a story just about me — It’s about us and how being a “nerd” can change our entire lives.
Hi guys I’m Samantha, most just call me Sammi though. Bear with me because I’m not very good with words or talking about myself. But I wanted to share with you my love of all things art and nerd-related, to better help people who maybe were like me or see their passions as something to be hidden.
Yep this is me in a nutshell
Gotta Catch Em All!
My specific form of ”nerd” falls under art and anime. Anime is something I’ve loved since I was a child. I remember vividly experiencing Pokemon for the first time when I was maybe around five. It was all downhill from there.
Everything from video games, to clothing, to even the music I like can be linked to my love of Pokemon, something I still love to this day, more than 20 years later! It’s even better now that I can share this with my child, who loves these things just as much as I did at his age. His favorite character is Eevee, a great choice in my opinion!
The Nerdy Inspiration
Aside from a mild obsession with that fantasy monster you catch and fight to gain money and glory, anime helped spark my passion for drawing. Everyone has a specific work of art that inspired them to push forward and hone their craft, I am no different.
But instead of people like da Vinci, Michelangelo, or the wondrous Bob Ross, I had people like Naoko Takeuchi, creator of Sailor Moon, Tite Kubo, creator of Bleach and Burn the Witch, or the famous Hayao Miyazaki founder of Studio Ghibli and creator of works such as Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro and, Princess Mononoke. I can thank those brilliant and beautiful works and creators for shaping and really helping me discover my love and passion for drawing.
Hitsugaya Toshiro by me, Sammibelle
The Truth About Being an Artist — It’s TOUGH
I now share my art with millions of people online, however popular or unpopular it may be. I would like to believe that I am … a freaking prodigy, I recreated Starry Night at the age of six, the Mona Lisa at seven, and then topped it all off with a perfect self-portrait at eight. But that’s definitely not what happened, I just like joking around.
I had to work hard at my art and push through my low points. Unlike some who have the ability to be able to take lessons and attend schools specifically designed for the arts, all I had was a pencil, paper, a bunch of manga, and how-to guides. I’m proud of the fact I’m 100% self-taught, which makes me appreciate my creations that much more.
You and Me Against The World
Art, like any skill, is learned, so the more you keep at it, the better you become. I’ll show you guys my humble beginnings at a later date … trust me it’s rough. But you have to start somewhere. From stick figures or mandalas. To little doodles in the margins of your school papers or shapes that make up the most imaginative buildings. Art grows with you and much like my favorite icons and even myself, anyone can do it with dedication and persistence. So, if this is your passion like it is mine, don’t give up.
I’ll leave you guys with my favorite quote – one that helped me in different aspects of life.
“In this world, perfection is an illusion. Regardless of all those who utter the contrary, this is all the reality. Obviously mediocre fools will forever lust for perfection and seek it out. However, what meaning is there in perfection? None. Not a bit..After perfection there exist nothing higher. Not even room for creation which means there is no room for wisdom and talent either.”
Can you believe that came from a manga about a teenage boy who fights spirits with SWORDS!?
Wild, am I right? Perfection is unachievable, it doesn’t exist, so all I want to get across to you all is what you do, no matter what it is, doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to be proud of it. Unless it’s world domination, please do not try that.
Jokes aside thank you all for coming along and helping this community grow, this is going to be much more fun the more people we have with us. Till next time nerds.
Did Kamala’s Khan’s origin take a dark and problematic turn?
There were so many wonderful aspects to Ms. Marvel episode 3. The beautiful depiction of Aamir and Tyesha’s wedding including a great insight in Muslim tradition and Pakistani culture, not to mention the amazing dance scenes! We get a great fight scene between Kamala and Najma’s clan. Marvel continues to pull panels right off the page including the heartfelt moment where we have Sheikh Abdallah give some powerful words that will propel Kamala toward being the hero we all anticipate her becoming.
Yet there were also some moments that many feel was a misstep for the series and the origin of our first Pakistani-American superhero. Mainly the reference to the Clan Destine and Djinn.
The Clan Destine
After the cliff-hanger of episode 2 and the revelation that Kamala had a vision of Kamran’s Mother, Najma, two terms were mentioned in association to Kamala’s great grandmother and the source of her powers, Clan Destine and Djinn, and there lies the problem.
The Clan Destine and Djinn in the comics have been intertwined as the children of Adam of Destine and a Djinn named Elalyth also considered an angel in the comics.
There has been much concern that Ms. Marvel would provide an honest representation of Muslims in the MCU and though much was done correctly, many feel that this is a major step back. Though this has only been mentioned in one episode, using religious beings (Djinn) that millions of Muslims hold as a part of their faith, in a trivial manner can only sour the experience for what has been an otherwise promising series.
TheAmiraReview, fellow contributor and creator on Tiktok gives insight to the concern:
The problem lays in the misuse of the concept and also the fact it could fall into the usual orientalist trope. Muslims hold dear their religious beliefs and using those as red herring is problematic. Misusing them and separating the religious concept from its true meaning is also seen as disrespectful.
TheAmiraREview
What happens next in Ms. Marvel episode 4 will possibly answer some questions, and could expand on the current concerns of many. As much as I have enjoyed this series, I respect the calling out of problematic issues that many have been brought up regarding this topic. I hope that they do not continue with the Djinn story and instead use this moment to disconnect some of the historically wrong representation that has been depicted in comics.
