The Evolution of Ms. Marvel

The evolution of Ms. Marvel consists of the analysis of two comic books with the same title and explains how the how the representation of women in comic books reflects transnational society. The first and original Ms. Marvel was published in 1977, and the second is a 2014 reboot with the same title. One of the few things they have in common is the title, everything else changed, giving the story a completely new life. The difference between these two comic books is the result of historical and social changes. The evolution of this unknown superheroine into a worldwide best-seller character represents the progressing steps towards an increasing female representation in comics, and consequently the evolution of a more inclusive popular culture. I will show how the comic book industry changed from being totally male-oriented to a more inclusive genre, and illustrate the history of women in comic books, both the female characters represented and the women who worked in the industry, and how these characters influenced our society.