Ms. Marvel episode 1 had a banger debut on Disney Plus all thanks to Iman Vellani’s phenomenal acting as Kamala Khan and the 16-year-old characters’ lovable traits, like her obsession for Captain Marvel. Marvel fans all over the world are already all praises for the Avengers nod and tribute to dead characters like Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) in the first episode. But Marvel Studios also had a little surprise for the brown community, specifically for the Rajinikanth fans in India.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Ms. Marvel episode 1
Ms. Marvel episode 1 might as well be the first Disney Plus series to have more than a dozen MCU references and even direct fan interoperation of the final events of Avengers: Endgame. And to no one’s surprise, in Kamala Khan’s mind – Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) is the OG that saved the world (there’s no denying it). MCU’s Spider-verse-Esque stylized texts and art has been the most talked about on social media.
A lot of compliments were directed towards the creative team (screenwriter and creator Bisha K. Ali, directors Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, etc) for the aesthetic opening as well as the use of fan-art type content throughout the episode. In fact, the use of Urdu, Pakistani pop culture elements and classic songs has found a lot of love among fans. Also, there are many comic relief moments in episode 1, from mentioning Steve Rogers’ America’s ass to a nod to brown people’s traditions, like making sure the house guest isn’t sent home without their hunger sated.
During Kamala’s Avengerscon visit, there’s a brief nod to LGBTQ on a shirt with Asgard text. Is that the first tease to Valkyrie’s sexuality in Thor: Love and Thunder? Let’s hope so. Meanwhile, the jewel in the crown reference in Ms. Marvel (at least for the South Indian community) is none other than AR Rahman’s song from the Rajinikanth starring Indian Kollywood flick Lingaa. It plays after Kamala blew her driving test, literally. Additionally, the family dynamic and Muslim representation in Ms. Marvel episode 1 is cheery on top which makes this the most wholesome episode 1 of any Marvel series yet. Readers can check out the rave first reactions below.
@rajinikanth Oh Nanba from #Lingaa playing during #msmarvel pilot title is just mind blowing 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/PYhr5BhgYi
— Sridhar (@Batwaynne) June 8, 2022
Ms Marvel Spoilers!!!!
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The “look I have glowing hands” moment #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/LejxUIac29— Es ✵ Ms marvel era (@olafsdanvers) June 8, 2022
The premier of #MsMarvel seemingly expresses the MCU’s most creative & stylised project to date. Gifting us with a humour filled, vibrant & charming debut episode. Iman Vellani crushes it as #KamalaKhan . I can’t wait to see more of what’s to come… pic.twitter.com/TDJz29EKzq
— Tom ⚒️ (@TomMCJL) June 8, 2022
Iman Vellani is wearing Loki for President badge🥰#MsMarvel #Loki pic.twitter.com/XvnGlfY8OS
— 𝐋𝐎𝐊𝐈'𝐒 𝐄𝐗 (@lokisblueheart) June 7, 2022
#Thalaivar Reference🤘✌️🔥#MsMarvel #Rajnikanth pic.twitter.com/6aU2hpt1RQ
— Bharathi (@bharathi_143341) June 8, 2022
Ms. Marvel might have had the strongest starting episode out of any MCU Disney plus show #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/dWDY5qtIjb
— Thor 4 era ⚡️ (@WehereYessir) June 8, 2022
The way texting 💬 takes place in #MsMarvel is something else. Definitely the coolest texting animation I’ve ever seen. Love it! pic.twitter.com/gjcJIFSYhw
— Average CBM lover | kenobi (@based_marvel) June 8, 2022
you know it’s not the same as it was 💔 #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/WUcQpl2jF5
— aster (@cliintasha) June 1, 2022
“It’s not really the brown girls from Jersey who save the world”
“Sure they do. You’re Kamala Khan. You wanna save the world? Then you’re gonna save the world” #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/R7s3xAD0kc
— kiara (@disfalsegod) June 8, 2022
Iman Vellani is the absolute PERFECT Kamala Khan, I'm so in love with her #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/UKygMJizJA
— ۞ mabe ᗢ (@dragonevenstar) June 8, 2022
Ms marvel spoilers #MsMarvel
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Scott lang making a podcast about all superhero things is the lost Scott lang thing ever pic.twitter.com/uln3vur03w— Trisha ⧗ (@waltersndanvers) June 8, 2022
Ms marvel spoilers #MsMarvel
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they just summoned the gays pic.twitter.com/YuWkf4dQT8— Trisha ⧗ (@waltersndanvers) June 8, 2022
#MsMarvel spoilers //
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aw wtf he was so excited 🙁💔 pic.twitter.com/XBbrMoB9ow— jake | KENOBIIII | (@gonzofan07) June 8, 2022
WAIT A DAMN MINUTE. IS THAT A THOMAS EDISON EASTER EGG??? #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/LLop9l7mrx
— k ✨ (@karmeeleon) June 8, 2022
#MsMarvel Episode 1 spoilers out of context: pic.twitter.com/2NunOxH5ry
— Ayoo🔈 (@ayoo_off) June 8, 2022
Kamala when Zoe came to the convention with a captain marvel costume on: #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/Hkrd9IhXUN
— 𝙶𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎✨🖤//MS. MARVEL ERA⚡️ (@giselleb1234) June 8, 2022
I can totally see why they changed her powers… This seems to be more efficient for the coming conflicts she will have to face alongside Carol and Monica next year. I'm intrigued how this will feed into her already compelling arc. 🌟⚡️#MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/4Fhz3pFj0X
— Reika Shirai 🏳️🌈🦋👹💮 Callous Nightmare (@kabukibutterfly) June 8, 2022
WANDA’S MINI CAMEO IN #MsMarvel pic.twitter.com/QF0leqHXVv
— Ren (@wandasolsen) June 8, 2022
#MsMarvel spoilers
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this show is unbelievably pleasing to the eye pic.twitter.com/dfTNuGnbyb— Heidi🌙 | obi era (@heididjarin) June 8, 2022
Speaking of desi references, Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar has an undisclosed role in Ms. Marvel though it is a guest appearance. Meanwhile, the ending credits had a nod to Hawkeye showing a transport truck with the logo, “Trust a Bro” – the front company led by the Tracksuit Mafia. Could we expect a cameo from them? Too soon to tell.
#MsMarvel spoilers ish???
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Spotted a bro pic.twitter.com/79ZUWWLkT2— alex 🪐 (@raviolijesus) June 8, 2022
With Kamala’s cosmic purple crystallin powers introduced in the first episode and the mysterious individuals targeting her, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead as the teenager struggles to balance her grades at school, parents’ expectations and her personal interests.
Ms. Marvel episode 1 will air on Disney Plus next Wednesday.
