In this op-ed, Esquire editor Sarakshi Rai asks the question “Does Marvel have a diversity problem?”
Rai makes the point that “women superheroes and those of colour were rarely featured in standalone films until the last 18-months, when Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel and Chadwick Boseman/Black Panther proved diversity could be a critical and commercial hit.” She continues, noting that Disney is “stepping it up a gear” with Marvel finally giving its first Muslim superhero, the 16-year-old Pakistani-American known as Kamala Khan/Ms Marvel, “some well-deserved time in the spotlight.”
She reports that next month launches the character’s first big screen debut, fighting alongside the Avengers in a videogame adaptation by the makers of Final Fantasy. Then in November, Kamala Khan/Ms Marvel will “make history again” as the first Muslim character to front a Disney+ show.
For those who may not be as familiar with Ms. Marvel, Rai provides a 101 on the comic book, HERE.
