The upcoming Disney Plus seriesMs. Marvellooks ready to make a huge splash when it finally releases in just a couple months. Focusing on an enthusiastic young superhero fangirl who gets abilities of her own, it’s the kind of relatable power fantasy that everybody has dreamed up at one point or another.
Now, thanks to a newMs. Marvelposter, that connection to the Marvel audience has reached a new level. Featuring an uncompromisingly colorful display of the show’s cast, the image evokes the pure and addictive energy that everyone feels when they talk about that one thing they truly obsess over. But not only is it a visual feast, but it turns out there may be some cultural inspiration behind its design as well.
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The poster prominently featuresIman Vellani as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvelsurrounded by the rest of the show’s main cast. The group is flanked by vivid and colorful artwork that, at first glance, might seem random depending on the viewer’s background. But as several Twitter replies point out, it holds some special significance for the Muslim and Pakistani heritage of both the character and the actress herself. Created by artist Shehzil Malik, the striking imagery actually appears to be inspired by real pop art seen on streets and trucks in Pakistan.
It’s a remarkably loud (in a good way) and vibrant style of art that’s apparently seen in various forms in multiple countries, including Afghanistan and India. A closer look seems to reveal themes of love and solidarity. It’s all brought together by images and themes that appear to holdcultural significance and influences, as well as show off hints at Malik’s own activist spirit. Notably, the poster also keeps most of its female characters in more prominent positions, driving home a refreshing change of pace that hopefully goes beyond the surface level in Disney and Marvel Studios as a whole.
Ms. Marvelstars Vellani as the titular hero, along with a diverse cast including Aramis Knight, Mohan Kapur,The Walking Dead’s Matt Linz, and Yasmeen Fletcher. Unlike the comics, where Kamala Khan notably gains the talent to stretch and morph her body, it appears the show will change up her powers to focus more on her ability to harness cosmic energy and create things using magical bangles. But in keeping with her original characterization, she’s a high school student from Jersey City who writes fanfiction about superheroes, with special attention to her idol Captain Marvel. In that vein, the Disney Plus series will serve to set things up for the upcoming sequel toBrie Larson’sCaptain Marvelsimply known asThe Marvels.
Along with similar stories like those seen on The CW (particularly DC’sNaomi), it seems the current trend is to focus on more relatable stories about passionate young people getting to become just like the heroes they adore. Between that and the shift to include more and more different cultures in the stories being told, this seems to be a great push to prove that everybody is welcome in the comic book fandoms.
