Blankenbaker 1

Aaron Blankenbaker
ENGL115
Professor Beadle
14 October 2015
What Defines a Superhero?
Ms. Marvel: No Normal, Volume 1 written by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona is a
graphic novel about a teenager named Kamala Khan who uses her superpowers to fight crime
and gender norms. She is expected to behave according to her parents, religion and societys
gender expectations for women. In some instances, Kamala has followed these expectations, and
in others she hasnt. I agree and disagree with the fact that Kamala has been able to contradict the
common expectations placed on her based on her gender and her role as a superhero.
Society has guidelines for gender roles in everyday life. Men are expected to be a father
and worker and women are expected to be mothers and (generally) housewives. Many American
mothers work and that is a norm. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to the
protagonist Kamala Khan, a Muslim teenager living in contemporary America. Her expected
societal roles are as a daughter, Muslim and superhero. As a daughter, her parents expect her to
do her homework and not go out to parties, especially parties with boys. As a Muslim, she is
expected to abide by her religions customs and traditions. As a superhero, she is expected to
save those in need. Throughout the novel, she struggles to find which role is the best fit for her.
Ultimately, she finds a way to balance them.
Race and gender play a big role in determining where one fits in society, socially and
economically. Patricia Collins article, Hegemonic Masculinity and Black Gender Ideology,
relates to Kamalas struggle of fitting into society and how people of color are alienated in

Blankenbaker 2
society. Collins says, Masculinity itself becomes organized as a three-tiered structure:
predominantly wealthy White menretain the most power at the top; those who are
marginalized (Latino, Asian and White immigrant men) and those who are subordinated by both
of these groups occupy the bottom. (224). She is stating that the hierarchy, political power and
economic status of males in American society is based on skin color. We can see examples of
these characteristics in famous people such as Donald Trump (entrepreneur, presidential
candidate) whos net worth is 4 Billion U.S. Dollars (Ehrenfreund, Washington Post) versus
Mindy Kaling (actress) whos net worth is a mere 15 Million U.S. Dollars (Guerra,
FoodWorldNews). This evidence proves how men of color make significantly less, regardless of
their social or political status compared to their caucasian superiors.
Collins article also relates to Renzetti and Currans article because they talk about how
gender expectations vary among cultures. Renzetti and Curran state, research shows that
parents do have different expectations of their babies and treat them differently, simply on the
basis of sex (Renzetti/Curran 76). We see this similarly in Ms. Marvel when Kamalas father
says, Im very disappointed in you, beta. Very disappointed. You disobeyed me (Wilson 39).
Later on, her father points out that he cares more deeply about Kamala because she wasnt
supposed to be born due to previous pregnancy problems. Ultimately, she had been born and was
considered her fathers little miracle, yet as the father goes back to bed, he says, Good.
Because youre still grounded (93).
Ms. Marvel provides further insight into gender roles when Kamala finds an opportunity
to break the traditional gender role barrier by facing trouble and become a hero (sort of). We see
this when Kamala is on her way to see Bruno at the Circle Q and almost walks in on a robbery in

Blankenbaker 3
the process. As Kamala makes a dramatic entrance to the store and smashes the counter, Vick
(the robber) says, You shoulda stuck to rescuing bimbos, lady!, as he punches Kamala in the
abdomen (Wilson 62). Hes hinting that all Ms. Marvel is good for is saving petty women in
need. She responds by squeezing Vick with her gigantic hand, instead of punching back or
possibly killing him. If she happened to be a man, she would have dealt with the robber in a
more violent manner, according to gender roles and attitudes of men versus women, aggressive/
passive, dominant/non-dominant, et cetera.
In contrast, we saw how Kamala reacts to violent situations compared to how Doyle
reacts to violent situations. Kamala is back to save Vick, she is caught in the middle of rescuing
by Doyle, he says, Guess were going to have to fight to the death or something (87). Already,
we can see that Doyle takes a more aggressive approach and points his laser gun at Kamala. This
scene is a good example of how men choose to think and act versus how women choose to think
and act when put in risky situations.
Society has roles and expectations for both genders. Behaviors and actions are often
associated with and set one gender apart from another. In Renzetti and Currans article, they
discuss how society thinks men and women should act opposite to each other but be
complimentary as well. For example, society expects men to be aggressive, dominant and active
like Doyle, whereas women as expected to be non-dominant and passive, like Disney princesses/
damsels in distress such
It is arguable that Kamala has been able to break certain gender boundaries using her
superpowers. Although there are instances in which she does not fight these conformities and
submits herself to them. We see this in Ms. Marvel when Kamalas father says, Look at your

Blankenbaker 4
friend Brunoworking hard for his family and getting top gradesdoes he complain? followed
by Kamala, Brunos a boy. If I was a boy, youd let me go to the party. May I be excused? then
her father, You are excused straight to your room! And stay there until you find your
manners! (8). In this scene, Kamala is convincing he father that shes old enough and
responsible enough to go alone to a party with boys, yet her father distrusts her as he feels she
could get into a lot of trouble therefore banishing her to her room for the night.
Another instance in which Kamala falls short of breaking gender norms is when Bruno
says, now hes desperate. And scared. And I dont know why followed by Kamala saying
So let me help and back to Bruno, No way. It could be dangerous. Ill handle it (74). Here,
we see Kamala attempt to break the gender norm attempting to save Brunos brother from the
Inventors goons, but is quickly told its not safe for a girl to go alone on such a dangerous
mission. Here, Bruno has established himself as the protector, a role often associated with men
protecting women in dangerous situations. As a result of these two instances, Kamala has
attempted to break gender norms but is cut short by dominant, leading masculine figures.
Nevertheless, Kamala continues to fight gender and superhero expectations despite being as
female Muslim teenager.
Ms. Marvel also touches on the subject of hyper-sexualization of women in media. Gail
Dines defines hyper-sexualization of women as a young, thin, toned, hairless, and, in many
cases, surgically enhanced woman with a come-hither look on her face (252). Todays image of
female role models is ultimately shown in everything from billboard to magazine to television
ads, depicting them with enormous wealth, expensive clothing and homes. These sought after
images drive girls and young women to conform themselves in an attention demanding form.

Blankenbaker 5
We can see an example of hyper-sexualization in the novel when Kamala has just transformed
into Captain Marvel, wearing long leg stockings and the image of a white woman revealing her
legs with a thin red cloth appears (Wilson 22). We can see another use of hyper-sexualization of
women in the novel when Kamala is returning home but has not transformed back into herself
yet. She walks past a homeless man who says, Hi beautiful! Nice knees! (35). This scene is yet
another insight into how males often view women thin, blonde and attractive and are seen more
as sexual objects rather than people. Here we can see how Kamala transgresses the expectations
that shes a female superhero by performing heroic acts.
In Ms. Marvel, Kamala uses her new superpowers fights crime and gender norms around
her. Many of these obstacles are placed upon her and vary from family and religious customs to
societal conformities by society. In some instances, she has followed and defied thee
expectations and her response to these varies throughout the novel. Despite what society expects
of Kamala, she is able to negate common misconceptions about gender.

Blankenbaker 6

Works Cited
Collins, Patricia Hill. Hegemonic Masculinity and Black Gender Ideology. Composing Gender.
OHara, John F. Groner, Rachael. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2014. 222-239. Print.
Dines, Gail. Visible or Invisible: Growing Up Female In Porn Culture. Composing Gender.
OHara, John F. Groner, Rachael. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2014. 252-261. Print.
Ehrenfreund, Max. The real reason Donald Trump is so rich. The Washington Post, 3 September
2015. Web. 5 October 2015. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/
2015/09/03/if-donald-trump-followed-this-really-basic-advice-hed-be-a-lot-richer/>
Guerra, Victoria. Mindy Kaling Net Worth: How Much Is Mindy Project Star And Creator
Making?. Food World News, 25 March 2015. Web. 6 October 2015. < http://
www.foodworldnews.com/articles/16597/20150325/mindy-kaling-net-worth-how-muchis-mindy-project-star-and-creator-making.htm >
Renzetti, Claire and Curran, Daniel. From Women, Men and Society. Composing Gender.
OHara, John F. Groner, Rachael. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2014. 02116. Print.
Wilson, G. Willow, writer. Ms. Marvel: No Normal, Volume 1. Illustrated by Adrian Alphona.
Colorist Ian Herring. Lettering by VCs Joe Caramanga. Scott, QC, Canada: Marvel
Publishing, 2014. Print.