By Superheroes, arguably the one universal concept that all people support. We all love the comics, and we all love the characters, but we cannot all love the films. Why, I hear you ask? Well, perhaps because what we have sorely lacked in the vast line-up of Marvel movies is female superheroes. So, as we prepare for the film release of Captain Marvel, perhaps it’s time for more of the fierce women of Marvel to debut on the big screen?
Representation is so important in order to ensure that all young girls feel empowered, and not ashamed, of who they are. Positive representation of Muslim women, and women of colour in mainstream Hollywood can eliminate racial biases, reduce micro-aggressions and reject misrepresentation in favour of education.
In light of Women’s History Month, and to continue the atmosphere of International Women’s Day, I have compiled a list of some of my favourite women of colour, and Muslim women superheroes (for you to fangirl over, of course):
Warning: This may contain mild spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read certain Marvel comics.
1. Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan
Kamala is my personal favourite—not only is she a kickass heroine, she represents all of us Brown Muslim girls out here who have been tokenized for too long. Last year, news of a potential Ms. Marvel film excited us all, so hopefully Kamala Khan’s presence will bless our screens sooner rather than later!
2. Ironheart/Riri Williams
Riri is a 15-year-old engineering student attending M.I.T. on a scholarship. Her decision to become a superhero is endorsed by none other than Tony Stark himself. I mean, if that doesn’t scream “super,” I don’t know what does!
3. Armor/Hisako Ichiki
Hisako is a Japanese mutant who enrolled at The Xavier Institute. Once a fully-fledged X-Men, she received combat classes from Wolverine, and tactic classes from Cyclops. Anyone else wish they were at The Xavier Institute right now?
4. Moon Girl/Lunella Lafayette
Lunella is another one of my favourites. She is nine-years-old and officially the smartest person in the entire Marvel Universe. To have a young, Black, woman holding this title is incredible and so inspiring to many out there.
5. Miss America/America Chavez
Miss America is Marvel’s first Latin-American LGBTQ character to star in an ongoing series. She has even been shown to release a powerful energy blast capable of injuring someone like Captain Marvel (aka. the most powerful Avenger).
6. Storm/Ororo Munroe
Storm is a classic. We all love her from the X-men film series, where the weather-controlling mutant captivated our hearts. Whilst Storm tends to be one of the more well-known women of colour superheroes, it would be an insult not to mention her on this list! By far, my favourite quote from her is: “I am a woman, a mutant, a thief, an X-Men, a lover, a wife, a queen. I am all these things. I am Storm, and for me, there are no such things as limits.”
7. Black Panther/Shuri
So in the films, we have no idea who the next Black Panther will be after all the chaos of Infinity War, but in the comics, Shuri becomes the new ruler of Wakanda. Not only is Shuri a technical genius, she is a martial arts master. You wouldn’t want to mess with her!