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Ms. Marvel, Vol. 9: Teenage Wasteland
by G. Willow Wilson
My mission to savor and appreciate G. Willow Wilson's Ms. Marvel series continues in Volume 9's Teenage Wasteland.
After the world-breaking betrayals and revelations of vol 8, Kamala has decided to step back from the superhero gig. In fact, she's conspicuously absent from the first few issues. Instead, Mike, Zoe, Gabe, and Nakia struggle to fill her shoes by going on patrol every day, protecting citizens of Jersey City in Kamala's name. When Zoe stumbles upon Red Dagger and further stumbles on the Inventors' latest plot to exploit the "useless" elderly generation, it's up to the Jersey City gang to stop him. When Captain Marvel pops up and Kamala returns (found out through the excellent detective work of deli delivery boy Naftali), the fight is in full swing again. The theme of "returning to the fight" continues with Doc.X rearing its mean girl head and Bruno and Kwezi's visit from Wakanda.
Once again, Wilson deals with issues that teens today have, can, and will face. The issue of burnout from school, activism, and even social life, which has been building for volumes now, comes to the fore. Bruno's struggles with his ability are heartfelt and authentic. Kwezi brings in humor with his reversal of the "white person visits primitive culture" cliche. A love triangle of Bruno, Red Dagger, and Kamala does form, but Wilson's choice to have Kamala turn to her Imam for support reminds teens everywhere they don't have to face emotional decisions alone. The most poignant moment for me came from Wilson's foray into the complex world of elder care. As the Inventor expounds on how everyone is waiting for the baby boomer generation to die, Zoe shoots back that the millennial and Z generations' relationship to their elders is more complex than that. We love our grandparents and parents. It hurts like nothing else that they've voted for the loud yam. Our relationship is complicated, but the answer is definitely not to outright murder them, or use them as human batteries, in the Inventor's case.
All and all, Teenage Wasteland is another stellar volume in a stellar Young Adult comic series. I'm going to be so sad when it's over.
After the world-breaking betrayals and revelations of vol 8, Kamala has decided to step back from the superhero gig. In fact, she's conspicuously absent from the first few issues. Instead, Mike, Zoe, Gabe, and Nakia struggle to fill her shoes by going on patrol every day, protecting citizens of Jersey City in Kamala's name. When Zoe stumbles upon Red Dagger and further stumbles on the Inventors' latest plot to exploit the "useless" elderly generation, it's up to the Jersey City gang to stop him. When Captain Marvel pops up and Kamala returns (found out through the excellent detective work of deli delivery boy Naftali), the fight is in full swing again. The theme of "returning to the fight" continues with Doc.X rearing its mean girl head and Bruno and Kwezi's visit from Wakanda.
Once again, Wilson deals with issues that teens today have, can, and will face. The issue of burnout from school, activism, and even social life, which has been building for volumes now, comes to the fore. Bruno's struggles with his ability are heartfelt and authentic. Kwezi brings in humor with his reversal of the "white person visits primitive culture" cliche. A love triangle of Bruno, Red Dagger, and Kamala does form, but Wilson's choice to have Kamala turn to her Imam for support reminds teens everywhere they don't have to face emotional decisions alone. The most poignant moment for me came from Wilson's foray into the complex world of elder care. As the Inventor expounds on how everyone is waiting for the baby boomer generation to die, Zoe shoots back that the millennial and Z generations' relationship to their elders is more complex than that. We love our grandparents and parents. It hurts like nothing else that they've voted for the loud yam. Our relationship is complicated, but the answer is definitely not to outright murder them, or use them as human batteries, in the Inventor's case.
All and all, Teenage Wasteland is another stellar volume in a stellar Young Adult comic series. I'm going to be so sad when it's over.