Journalism of Courage
Ms Marvel has been more than just the token nod to the immigrant Muslim experience in America. The first season, which concluded last week, featured an heirloom bangle that opens an alternate dimension called Noor, a Hulk costume fashioned out of a shalwar kameez, and a tuk tuk chase in Karachi. It also features a rose farmer (played by Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan), who makes hot parathas for a djinn during the Partition days. (Text by Benita Fernando ; Official poster for Ms Marvel)
The series, somewhat adapted from the Marvel comic that debuted in 2014, features Marvel’s and Disney’s first on-screen Muslim superhero, played by newcomer Iman Vellani ( Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: Daniel McFadden. ©Marvel Studios 2022)
Kamala isn’t the first Muslim superhero in comics history, however. The first was Kismet, Man of Fate. Kismet fought on the side of the Allies and adventures involved taking on Hitler, often portrayed as a bumbling idiot. References to his cultural heritage were sparse — he was of Algerian descent, he was Muslim, and his superhero attire included a fez and jodhpurs. (Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: By Ruth Roche [as Omar Tahan] - Comic Book Plus)
The original Ms Marvel — Carol Danvers — got her own comic in 1977. Upholding the idea of the no-nonsense woman, the very first issue has her negotiating her salary at the Daily Bugle and refusing to write articles on themes thought to be suitable for a woman’s magazine, such as diets and recipes (Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: Marvel )
In the comics, like with the show, Kamala is one among diverse Muslim youth. Kamala is on “the relaxed end of the spectrum”, even though she doesn’t drink alcohol or date or eat BLTs. Her older brother is more involved than her with the local mosque. Her friend Nakia, of Turkish origin, chooses to wear a hijab. (Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: Marvel Comics, art by Jorge Molina)
DC Comics’ Superman—seen as the epitome of the White, Christian, male superhero—actually has his roots in Judaism. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1933, both Jewish and children of European immigrants, Superman’s arrival on Earth mimics the tale of baby Moses. (Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: Cover of Superman #1)
In India, mainstream superhero stories have rarely attempted to engage with diversity or minority communities. Comics creator Lokesh Khodke cites Fighter Toads, vigilante superheroes who lived in a gutter, loosely based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Even though the comics used the underground gutter life as a trope, their missions did not ever address the issues of how certain castes are pushed or forced into manual scavenging. (Text by Benita Fernando; COURTESY: Lokesh Khadke)
On screen in India, few works such as director Basil Joseph’s Malayalam superhero film Minnal Murali (2021) have been able to go beyond Hindu mythology, which remains the source material for superhero films in India. Events unfold around Christmas and the tale of St George killing the dragon recurs as a motif. (Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: Netflix)
Currently, India’s sole Muslim superhero is Musalman, created by Bengaluru-based journalist Falah Faisal. Musalman's costume is a “skull cape” and shorts in the colours of the Indian flag. And when he is not busy being a superhero, he is Salman, a left arm fast bowler in the Indian cricket team (Text by Benita Fernando; COURTESY: Falah Faisal)
A fictional superhero may not save the day in real life, but she shows us how to seize moments of joy—wear your best shalwar kameez, call your friends for Eid, have biryani with your family, dance your heart out at weddings, and trust that your mother knows the best tailors back home. (Text by Benita Fernando; CREDIT: Daniel McFadden. ©Marvel Studios 2022)
