NYX #1 to 10 - Complete Comic Series Review

Life has thrown its fair share of curveballs over the past few years for my family and I. We had an exciting move abroad in 2019, a 2020 pandemic-induced return, and finally now settling into a post-COVID world in Devon. It’s been a whirlwind, to say the least so my knowledge of the comic world took a backseat, with me completely missing the X-Men Krakoan Age. My familiarity with the Krakoa era has mostly been gleaned from YouTube primers, leaving me feeling a little out of the loop. However, the buzz around a new Marvel series piqued my interest. Set in the aftermath of Krakoa's fall, it promised a story of mutants forging new paths in a world that had become increasingly hostile. As a massive Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) fan, the prospect of seeing her navigate the gritty reality of the Lower East Side, far from the familiar streets of Jersey City, was particularly exciting. After all, if you can make it there…

Diving headfirst into NYX #1, I was immediately drawn into Kamala's journey as she grappled with her newfound mutant identity while staying true to her Muslim faith in a world that often felt unwelcoming. The introduction of Sophie Cuckoo, a complex new friend, and the moody presence of Laura Kinney (now Wolverine) painted a vivid picture of this new mutant subculture. The looming threat of The Krakoan added an intriguing central mystery to Kamala's navigation of the big city.

Issue #2 shifted focus to Laura Kinney, showcasing her lone-wolf approach to street justice as she investigated the disappearances of fellow mutants. The underlying question of who was pulling the strings kept me hooked, but it was the unexpected denouement – the raw desire to simply dance when the pressure becomes overwhelming – that truly resonated. Who hasn't sought refuge in music and movement when life felt too heavy?

NYX #3 introduced us to Anole, the mutant barkeep wrestling with his sense of belonging. The memorial for a fallen mutant, disrupted by the antagonistic Truthseekers, provided a powerful backdrop for Anole's journey of self-discovery and the fundamental human need to find one's tribe. His struggle to be authentic and connect with others was a compelling narrative.

Professor Alleyne, aka Prodigy, took center stage in #4. Moving from the academic sidelines to active advocacy, even at the risk of his career, Prodigy confronted The Krakoan during an attack on Ms. Marvel. This issue delved into the battle for the mutant soul, challenging the simplistic dichotomy of good and evil and suggesting the need for a new path beyond endless conflict.

The narrative took an interesting turn in #5 with Sophie Cuckoo's redemption arc. Her decision to fight against the anti-mutant sentiment sweeping New York, despite her past actions, was a testament to Kamala's forgiving nature and Sophie's own potential for growth. It was her chance to break free from external control and define her own path.

Issue #6 threw the team into the chaotic world of Mojo, via the sinister Mr. Friend, during what should have been a fun Dazzler concert. This installment cleverly explored the idea that simple answers rarely suffice in life's complex tapestry.

Synch's internal conflict in #7, believing in the impossibility of human-mutant coexistence and targeting Prodigy, offered a compelling philosophical debate. Prodigy's appeal to Synch's humanity, reminiscent of Captain America's approach, highlighted the futility of endless conflict and the potential for respectful dialogue.

#8 delved into the complexities of Hellion's character as he faced the consequences of past actions. His interactions with Wolverine revealed a surprising depth of understanding between two seemingly disparate individuals, reinforcing the idea that appearances can be deceiving. More Laura Kinney is always a plus, in my book!

The penultimate issue, #9, saw the NYX team joining forces with a newly escaped Professor Xavier to retrieve the crucial seed of Krakoa. However, Mojo's return threw a wrench in their plans, leading to a tense confrontation. The portrayal of Professor X as a potentially unreliable narrator added a fascinating layer of ambiguity to his motives.

The series concluded with a climactic battle against Mojo in #10 as his Mojo Land threatened to engulf the city. It was a satisfying coming-together moment for the NYX team, but a bittersweet one knowing the series wouldn't continue. However, the promise of Kamala's journey continuing in Giant-Sized X-Men #1 offers a glimmer of hope.

Overall, I found NYX to be a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking series. The focus on the formative experiences of these young mutants resonated deeply. We've all navigated those crucial periods of stepping outside our comfort zones, seeking our place, and finding our tribe, whether in higher education, the workplace, or simply navigating life's complexities.

This new From the Ashes collection, as exemplified by NYX, seems to be embracing the intricate nature of individuals, resisting the urge to simplify. NYX shines a light on the truths we often conceal and examines our inherent contradictions. The themes of self-discovery and acceptance are powerful and universally relatable.

I'm genuinely excited to see how these characters will evolve and interact in the future. This is an intriguing team with a lot of potential, and one I'm definitely rooting for. While the cancellation after only ten issues is a shame, in the ever-evolving world of comics, nothing truly stays buried. I'm eager to see what the future holds for these fascinating mutants.

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Ms. Marvel Can Change the World

Ms. Marvel received a lot of hype due to  her status as the first Muslim character to headline a Marvel series, but a year on and the comics series has become one of the industry’s best titles because it is an excellent superhero comic intelligently written with wit and pathos.

Superhero stories featuring teenage characters are notoriously difficult to write for but to create a monthly comic with a teenage girl of faith is something nearly unheard of in mainstream comics, let alone the religion in focus being Islam. Islam has not talked about a great deal in the comic series so far but Kamala is Muslim and as such it forms a major part of her narrative, it greatly influences her behavior and decision-making, adding tension to her life that doesn’t come from the more traditional sources like  romantic interests or the masked supervillain. In a medium which has been hegemonic in portraying powerful white heroes, the recent wave of real world representations in comics is exciting.

In the first comic of Ms. Marvel when Kamala first meets Captain America, Iron Man and Captain Marvel she is surprised to hear them speak Urdu, to which Captain Marvel replies,

"We are faith. We speak all languages of beauty and hardship."

This is a real nice touch that speaks to the universal humanity in us all, the underrepresented now being represented in a medium supported by the diverse community invested in these characters.

As a longtime comic book fan (I first started collecting when I was 7, Iron Man and Spiderman were my first loves) the fact that the main protagonist, Kamala is a child of immigrant parents from Pakistan, Muslim and a millennial changes the hitherto well tilled soil of fertile comic tropes. I have loved comics for years and certain aspects I could identify with, Peter Parker being picked on by Flash Thompson in High School, the various aspects of loss in the Death of Superman and striving to achieve against all odds, which is a common comic book trope but with Ms. Marvel it's different. I can identify with her, even though I'm not a millennial teenage girl I am a Muslim comic book geek who enjoys pop culture. I remember what it was like as a young teen trying to find my way through school and life where balancing my home life and religious beliefs and practices with those of my mostly white Christian friends was difficult. I wanted to go to parties, go out clubbing and have relationships. Other comics have covered these aspects but the fact that the struggle Kamala has in balancing her home and life outside rings true for me.

A moment that touched me occurs in issue 6, Kamala seeks guidance from Sheikh Abdullah, an Imam. Fearing she will be told off for not following her parents will she is surprised to be told,

  "... do it with the qualities befitting an upright young woman: Courage, strength, honesty, compassion, and self-respect.”

This message is one of positivity, which against the current media obsession with violence done in Islams name is interesting and challenging.

 For once I feel represented in a mainstream comic, usually I have had to read Indie comics to feel a connection but Marvel have changed all that. Ms. Marvel has been used to fight racism in the real world, Anti-Muslim adverts on the sides of buses in San Francisco have been defaced with posters of the Pakistani-American teen superhero. The adverts were run by the notorious right wing anti-Muslim organization, the American Freedom Defence Initiative (AFDI). Ms. Marvel author, G. Willow Wilson, tweeted,

“Some amazing person has been painting over the anti-Muslim bus ads in San Francisco with Ms. Marvel graffiti. Spread love.”

Who said comics can't change the world? By encouraging community and discussion change can occur as Kamala has shown. This is a well written comic story with a great character who has dynamic stories to be told and I look forward to reading more. Roll on the Ms. Marvel movie!