Marvel's newest hero is a Muslim girl. Entertainment industry, take note

[theHandpuppet]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/13/marvel-muslim-comic-book-hero

Muaaz Khan
theguardian.com, Wednesday 13 November 2013

Marvel's newest hero is a Muslim girl. Entertainment industry, take note
Kamala Khan will be a role model for young Muslim women, and a much needed counter to Islamophobia in show business

Kamala: a smart, teenage, Pakistani girl with aspirations of changing the world. Sound familiar? You would be forgiven for thinking of Malala Yousafzai, now famous for advocating women's rights to education. But while it was the attempted assassination at the hands of the Taliban that brought Malala to worldwide attention, her role as a symbol has been inspirational in the most unlikely of places.

Last week, Marvel announced the launch of the new title Ms Marvel, which focuses on superhero Kamala Khan. A teenage Muslim girl growing up in Jersey City, Kamala's mission is to attempt to put right the wrongs of the world.

Kamala joins a small but growing number of Muslim comic book superheroes. Shortly after 9/11, Marvel introduced the burqa clad Sooraya Qadir, who has the ability to transform into sand. Known for their ever expanding cinematic universe, Marvel is no stranger to taking risks. This latest move proves their continuing desire to remain leaders of the comic book industry – somewhat surprising given their purchase by uber-conglomerate Disney back in 2009.

Continuing this trend, Marvel's primary competitor, DC Comics, introduced Nightrunner – a French Algerian iteration of Batman, and Simon Baz – the newest member of the Green Lantern Corps, and an Arab American....

[Scuba]

1. Moving the public conscience, just a little. Thanks Marvel.

[riverwalker]

2. meet Kamala

[BronxBoy]

4. LOL.....

Apparently the hedgehog has super human powers too.

[kiawah]

3. wow.... that's just going to FLY off of the shelves.... n/t