After promising ‘the most shocking issue of Amazing Spider-Man in 50 years’, Marvel has fulfilled its promise in Amazing Spider-Man #26, apparently killing the popular character Kamala Khan, better known as Ms Marvel.
While the issue won’t be released until May 31, scans have leaked online, revealing the shocking conclusion to the comic currently helmed by writer Zeb Wells and artist John Romita Jr. The book is set to relaunch after this story ends.
The “50 years” aspect, and the cover of the issue, are a reference to the classic issue 121 which saw the death of Gwen Stacy, recreated in the second Amazing Spider-Man film starring Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in the respective starring roles.
The apparent death of Ms Marvel is especially confusing for fans considering that Kamala Khan is not only the first Muslim superhero to star in their own comic from the publisher, but that the character is currently thriving in film and television. Played by Iman Vellani, the character is following up the exceptionally well received first season of the Ms. Marvel show on Disney+ with a starring role in the upcoming film The Marvels, releasing November 9 across the Middle East.
The character, created by Sana Amanat, Stephen Wacker, G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona and Jamie Mckelvie, first appeared in Captain Marvel #14 in August 2013, getting her own groundbreaking standalone comic starting in February 14. The comic ran for years, but currently the character doesn’t have a standalone series, and has been appearing in the pages of Spider-Man as a guest star.
Here’s the key leaked death image here, courtesy of Reddit.
Fans react to death of Ms Marvel
“This is the absolute stupidest decision they could have made. kill off a character who’s not even a spider-man character and who has a movie coming. great marketing decision, Marvel. hope Lowe and Wells get fired,” said one angry Reddit user, SpaceZombie13.
“And it’s not even like Peter and Kamala were close friend. She was included in this story just to be kiled off,” added user NormalArgument6869.
“I feel bad, but I’m actually laughing at how bad of a decision this is. Like are they trying to tank their reputations?” said user SinnaSol.
“They kill Kamala Khan right before her movie comes out!” added MulciberTenebras.
But perhaps this is just a trick that will be resolved in the next issue, some have speculated.
“She’s probably not even dead,” speculated KevyKev2008.
One would hope that, with Vellani’s upcoming portrayal, that speculation proves true.
“The whole reason I got into the comics was because I saw in her a girl like me. She was a Pakistani-Muslim superhero fanatic. I was a Pakistani-Muslim superhero fanatic. It was just crazy, because I didn’t think a story like that was possible, because I never really saw it before. This comic book was holding a mirror in front of me, and I just completely fell in love with her,” Vellani told us last year.’
Fans are blaming Marvel’s Editor in Chief, who previously has been accused of racial insensitivity after being caught secretly publishing under a Japanese name for a full year.
Amazing Spider-Man’s ‘most shocking issue’
Here’s the official sales release on the upcoming issue courtesy of Marvel:
THE MOST SHOCKING ISSUE OF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN IN 50 YEARS
This May, Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr.’s run of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN reaches a startling unexpected climax and conclusion of its first year! Don’t miss two over-sized, monumental AMAZING SPIDER-MAN issues with #25 and the heartbreaking #26!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #25
Written by ZEB WELLS
Art by JOHN ROMITA JR., KAARE ANDREWS & MORE
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
On Sale 5/10
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #26
Written by ZEB WELLS
Art and Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
On Sale 5/31
Preorder the issue from Marvel here.