Review: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 9: Teenage Wasteland

Title: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 9: Teenage Wasteland
Author: G. Willow Wilson, Nico Leon
Genres: Graphic novel, superhero
Pages: 136
Publisher: Marvel
Availability: Available now!

Summary:  Kamala Khan has vanished! But where has she gone, and why? Jersey City still has a need for heroes, and in the wake of Ms. Marvel’s disappearance, dozens have begun stepping up to the plate. The city’s newest super hero Red Dagger and even ordinary citizens attempt to carry on the brave fight in Kamala’s honor. Somehow, Ms. Marvel is nowhere…but also everywhere at once! Absent but not forgotten, Ms. Marvel has forged a heroic legacy to be proud of. But when an old enemy re-emerges, will anyone be powerful enough to truly carry the Ms. Marvel legacy – except Kamala herself? [Image and summary via Goodreads]

Review: Over the last two years, I’ve been dipping my toe into the waters of comics, particularly superhero comics, and I’ve been sort of documenting that journey on Rich in Color. The reason I got into this in the first place was because I’d heard about the new Ms. Marvel series starring Kamala Khan, and I knew I had to follow along.

The latest collected volume in the series is Ms. Marvel, Vol. 9: Teenage Wasteland. In this volume, Kamala has disappeared on her own personal journey, and her friends must step up to bat to protect the city.

It’s certainly a departure from previous volumes, given that the heroine is missing for a good part of the volume, but I loved the different approach. It was a delight to see how Kamala’s friends stepped up to bat, and to see Kamala grapple with who she is as a person and a superhero — her motivations and purpose in life are all thrown into question. And of course, I’m all about the power of friendship, and that is front and center with Kamala’s friends filling in for Ms. Marvel, all while worrying about their friend Kamala.

If you haven’t been following the Ms. Marvel series, I definitely recommend that you hop on the train. It’s a super fun read, beautifully illustrated, and consistently thought-provoking. Vol. 9 continues the trend of an amazing series, and I can’t wait for what’s next!

Recommendation: Buy it now!