Ms. Marvel: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A required read for my Readings in the Graphic Novel class, but it was a fun one. I've never read any of the Captain Marvel books, so I came into this fresh. It's fun to discover this series without any preconceived notions. In the discussion, classmates brought up some issues that I didn't necessary see initially.

I think that this one is geared towards a younger audience than the typical Marvel books, and the writing bears that in mind. The storytelling is a shade simplistic, and the illustrations jump rapidly between panels. The drawings are more sketchlike, lacking a clean rendering and finish. Some classmates thought the creators must have been under a tight deadline, and that's why the final version lacks polish. The conflict seems unfinished, and it was hard to follow exactly who the villain is and what their motives were.

Overall, I liked this a lot. They're some hidden layers to this book that came out on a second read. While the portrayal of Kamala might have been in some way problematic, I still think it's powerful for young Muslim kids to read this book and see someone like them in their superhero books. In these charged times, it's also good for non-Muslim readers who don't know much about what it's like, so they can see that demonization of people who are different or share different beliefs and cultures is wrong. It was also good to Kamala's evolution from being ashamed of being herself, to the degree she wanted to escape her culture and heritage to fit in so badly. Instead, she learns that it's a part of her and it makes her stronger.


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Deadpool Volume 1 by Various

Deadpool Volume 1 by Daniel Way

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is an expansive volume that includes so many interesting points in Deadpool's story.  He takes on dicey adversaries like Wolverine and Bulleye. The former seems to be an exercise in futility, with two evenly matched opponents, considering that both of whom are more or less immortal.  The writing and art play things up for laughs, but there is also a deadly seriousness in that both Wolverine and Deadpool are equally formidable in their own ways, and not above showing ruthlessness to their enemies.  I liked the Wolverine storyline because it has some juicy tidbits of Wolverine's own personal history.

Bullseye I don't like at all.  Bullseye and Deadpool almost become friendly adversaries in that they earn each other's respect.    It's true to Deadpool's history of being, shall we say, morally flexible, that he could become 'friendly' with someone like Bullseye.

Deadpool takes on the Skrull invasion.  He manages to out-think his enemy in that they assume that Deadpool is no good tactician. He is.  And he's also got nothing to lose.  That makes him a deadly enemy.  Along with his penchant for insanity and trickery.

Deadpool goes after Norman Osborn in the aftermath of Deadpool's work to take down the Skrulls' invasion.   Obsorn manipulated the situation to make himself look like a hero, and has subsequently wrestled control of SHIELD away from Tony Stark and renamed it HAMMER. He sends his team of villains turned questionable heroes the Thunderbolts after Deadpool to save his own butt.   Although he's outgunned and outnumbered, Deadpool refuses to stay down for long.

I liked how the end of the book has a history of Deadpool as a character.  His story is long and tragic in some places. In others, showing how Deadpool is not quite a hero, but not a villain instead.  He trods the line between them both and continually steps over in either direction.

While Deadpool is a formidable warrior, and there is plenty of violence and action, this book isn't for readers who don't appreciate ridiculousness and a hero who's perpetually cracking jokes, many fairly low brow and crass. Even some of the action scenes are played for laughs. As well as Deadpool's worldview tinged by his mental illness carrying over into absurdity and cartoonish imagery.

This is one superhero (in the broadest of terms) who stands out from the crowd.  I'd recommend this graphic novel to readers who don't have an aversion to the ridiculous.



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The Astonishing X-Men Volume 1: Gifted by Joss Whedon, John Cassady

Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 1: Gifted by Joss Whedon

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


I have been on a Marvel roll lately.  It's mainly due to the fact that I've been mainlining Marvel shows on Netflix, along with the various Marvel movies we've been treated to lately. I discovered that there was a motion comic series for The Astonishing X-Men, and some of the episodes are posted on Netflix.  Watching it and "Wolverine and the X-Men" (and loving it), encouraged me to check out some of the comics after many years of not reading them.  Luckily my awesome library has this series!

I will admit I am an admirer of Joss Whedon's tv shows, and his characteristic wit is on display in this comic book series run that he authors. His snark and biting sarcasm, plus some sociopolitical commentary.  It's fun to see his words come out of the mouth of Emma Frost, Wolverine, and the gang.  Not to say it feels foreign to the X-Men, but Whedon just has a characteristic writing style.

Along with the writing, the artwork is beautiful.  Bright and stylish, but also detailed to the degree that Kitty's hair blows in the wind like real life, Wolverine's arms and back are covered in hair (let me say that he's the only guy who can get a free pass for back hair), and Emma Frost is unrealistically gorgeous, both in her flesh and diamond form (Can I admit I have a tiny girl crush on Emma Frost?). 

I thought I was over the X-Men, but I see that I am very wrong.  I am definitely officially sucked back into the world of the mutants.  I wish I could run back to the library today to get the next volume.

FYI: Marvel has a wikia database that is tres awesome: http://marvel.wikia.com/Main_Page

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.



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