The Good
Last issue we became acquainted of a new, bizarre villain that was behind many of the issues Kamala Khan has encountered since taking on the mantle of Ms. Marvel. And WHAT a villain he turned out to be: a clone of Thomas Edison that somehow got cockatiel (NOT cockatoo) DNA introduced into the mix...what a wonderful book this is. This issue sees Kamala team with Wolverine in order to combat the fiendish Inventor’s Megagator, which is exactly what it sounds like. The two battle their way through the sewers before discovering one of the sources powering the experiments, and it’s positively ghoulish. Even at its most dark, G. Willow Wilson is still giving us one of the most whimsical, fun-loving issues of this story yet. The interaction between the ultra-serious, ever-grouchy Wolverine and the bouncy, bubbly Ms. Marvel is a source of constant humor, partially because the latter actually begins winning over the former in fairly short order. Though he’d be loath to admit it. This is a very simple, straightforward issue, but it allows for the character interaction to take the fore, and that is for the best. We’ve had some great plot and story development, but Kamala does amazingly well in the spotlight and it’s always good to see her there.
Jake Wyatt is back on linework and he proves that, while he’s not the series’ main artist, he can run in that company. The visuals and bright and clear, the action is chaotic and playful, but never gets hard to follow and there’s a terrific one-page spread of Wolverine and Ms. Marvel journeying through the sewer through pipes amidst all the frantic capering. Ian Herring handles color and handles it beautifully. Despite taking place in a presumably dank, dark sewer, this is an incredibly bright, beautiful issue and it creates a tone of boundless enthusiasm, both matching and communicating Kamala’s fangirl glee.
The Bad
Not enough crazy clone of Thomas Edison crossed with a cockatiel. Can’t enough of that guy…
The Verdict
This book is like cake...except it’s good for you. It’s like steak cake...which sounds awful, but this book is GREAT! Awful metaphors aside, this is one of the cheeriest books you could hope to read, but the cheeriness is complemented by amazing characters with realistic motivations and genuine, witty dialog. I have to give G. Willow Wilson credit for taking Wolverine, of all people, down a peg or two without completely negating the character’s dignity or respectability. Though the two part ways at issue’s end, I would love to see an ongoing series of Wolverine tutoring Kamala in the ways of super heroism.
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