The following contains spoilers forMs. MarvelEpisode 1, “Generation Why.”Introduced to the comic book world in 2013, Kamala Khan gets her highly anticipated Disney Plus series, fronted by newcomer Iman Vellani in the titular role ofMs. Marvel.The first episode acts largely as an introduction to the character, her friends, and her family. It also, however, acts as a good snapshot as to just how the average person who might not live in a superhero battleground views the Avengers.
Kamala is, of course, a huge fan of Captain Marvel, but with the first annual Avengers Con in the premiere episode, there is a plethora of references to the other superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There are plenty of nods to the wider MCU as well as to the comic books that inspire the series.
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Captain Marvel’s Hair
“Generation Why” opens with Kamala’s own storyof a battle for the Avengers. In the comics, she’s a fanfiction writer, and it’s nice to see that maintained for the series. Here, however, her story is accompanied by illustrations and animation of the characters. When she discusses Captain Marvel, her look changes quite a few times.
In particular, Carol’s hair goes through multiple changes in one sequence. All of those hairstyles are ones the audience has seen for her in the MCU, though the average resident of the universe might not have. It’s a fun nod to those movie viewers who questioned her different hairstyles in her different movie appearances.
The editing also gets to create a fun nod to Superman with the introduction of Captain Marvel to the scene. Before Kamala discusses Captain Marvel flying in to save the day, she features an image of a bird, and then a plane, before spotlighting the flying hero.
Thor Is A Gamer
The story ends with a proclamation that next week, there will be a discussion of the proof that Thor is secretly a gamer.
This is a great nod to the events ofThor: Ragnarok. There, while Thor is grieving the loss of Loki and Asgard, he and his allies do get heavily into video games. When another gamer makes fun of Korg, Thor takes matters into his own hands to insult him.
Scott Lang’s Podcast Interview
Kamala makes mention of learning details about the Avengers from Scott Lang’s podcast interview. That might explain why she’s got so many details about the battle between the Avengers and Thanos that the public wouldn’t have been privy to.
For example, during her opening video, the illustration she has of Captain America during the fight has a broken shield, which did happen when he fought Thanos.
Sloth Baby Productions
The name of Kamala’s Youtube page is a nod to her love of sloths in the comics. In fact, her love of sloths pops up a few times in the episode as she also wears a shirt with a sloth on it at one point and has a stuffed sloth with wings. That same sloth with wings is her user icon.
It’s also worth noting the detail of the commenters on Kamala’s other video. They’re her friends Bruno and Nakia, whom the audience meets when she goes to school the next day.
Coles Academic High School
When Kamala heads into school, the audience can see the name of her school on a plaque. Coles Academic High School is the same name as her school in the comics. The names on the plaque, however, hold even more meaning.
G. Willow Wilson, Stephen Wacker, Adrian Alphona, and Jamie McKelvie share credit for the creation of Kamala Khan. Wilson is the writer who brought her to life while Wacker was the editor. Alphona and McKelvie are artists who helped develop her and worked on the original series.
Likewise, Ian Herring, Takeshi Miyazawa, and Nico Leon are all artists who have done significant work on the character. Joe Caramagna is a writer whoworked on aMs. Marvelseries as well.
It’s not the only sign to feature significant names either. When Kamala runs errands with her mother, they pass by a string of movie posters. One of them is forIndia In Technicolor. The names on the poster include J. Vash, J. Haddad, and H. Avant. Those all belong to people who helped put the show together. Julie Vash is the set designer, Jessie Haddad is an art director, and Hajr Avant is a member of the art department.
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Wilson has a nameplate on his desk that are just initials - GWW. Those initials, and his name, are a nod to G. Willow Wilson. Though she has done a lot of work, she’s probably best known for being the co-creator of Kamala Khan. She also happens to be from New Jersey, just like the character.
Mr. Wilson alsoprovides a nod to Disney’sMulan, which Kamala calls out when he quotes lyrics from the song “Reflection.” It’s not just that though. A split image depicting Mr. Wilson and Kamala while they’re talking echoes the split image of Mulan in the animated movie as she’s made up in half of the image and dressed as a warrior in the other half.
The Captain Marvel Art
Kamala’s room is covered in artwork, most of it of Captain Marvel. Since the audience sees how fond she is of sketching things out, it’s likely most, if not all, of the work on her walls can be attributed to her. The art of Captain Marvel, however, is all pulled from real world comics. The different designs and costumes come from several different comic book runs.
There are also sketches of other Avengers, and it’s likely fans will be able to catch plenty of Easter eggs in her art as the series continues. Her opening artwork, for example, does feature a cat that looks like the Flerken Goose behind Hawkeye at one point.
Kamala’s Avengers Wardrobe
Kamala’s costume isn’t her only clothing that nods to the Avengers. She also has pins and patches on her backpack that provide nods to the team and to Hulk, which might explain why her mother chooses Hulk as the Avenger to make a costume for.
She also wears a few t-shirts in the first episode that nod to lesser known members of the team. She wears a shirt at school and while shopping with her mom that features Captain Marvel, Valkyrie, and Wasp, for example.
Edison Electric
When Bruno and Kamala meet on the roof to talk about the convention, There’s a sign for Edison Electric behind them that features lightning bolts similar to that used on her Ms. Marvel costume in the comics. The sign is likely a nod to one of Kamala’s first villains in the comics as well.
The Inventor becomes her enemy after a botched attempt at cloning Thomas Edison. In fact, the attempt at cloning also involves his pet cockatiel, the same bird pictured in the Superman visual gag at the start of the show.
Camp Lehigh
Avengers Conis an Easter Egg lover’s dream. It is full of cosplay of different MCU characters (Zoe’s costume is one of Carol Danvers’ comic book looks), merchandise that alludes to different quotes (“I can do this all day.”), and displays depicting scenes from some of the movies (like Ant-Man as a giant in San Francisco). Fans will likely catch something new in every rewatch.
The convention’s location, however, is also an Easter egg. It’s set at the now defunct military base of Camp Lehigh. Fans will recall that is where Steve Rogers trained to become Captain America. It’s also where Hydra was reborn within SHIELD according toCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.
It’s also interesting to note just how many different character costumes are in use at the convention. While there are a lot of Captain Marvels as a result of the contest, there are also a lot of characters fans might not expect to see. There are women dressed as members of the Dora Milaje and even someone wearing similar garb to M’Baku when he heads into battle.
The Fallen Heroes Tribute
While previous chapters of the MCU have featured tributes to the retired Captain America and the fallen Iron Man, this is the first time sinceAvengers: Endgamethat the audience has seen a tribute for Black Widow.
Black Widow and Iron Man appear in artwork at the convention thanking them for their sacrifice. A memorial wall is set up for fans to leave messages.Yelena Belova would be happy to see thatsince much of her anger inHawkeyestemmed from her sister not getting credit for saving the world.
The Cosplay Contest
There are also a handful of fun nods during Kamala’s entrance into the costume contest at the convention. The event itself is hosted by Ryan Penagos, who some Marvel fans might know as Agent M. A long time employee of Marvel, Penagos has used the latter as his social media handle for over a decade. He’s done everything from writing for Marvel’s official website to interviewing talent to hosting podcasts.
Kamala saving Zoe after her new powers make the contest go awry is also a nod to her comic book abilities.Though her power set is very different for the show, she gets to have a version of her “embiggening” power from the comics here. The stretched arm created by energy to grab Zoe before she hits the floor is very much likeher ability to grow and shrink in the comics.
Zoe As Captain Marvel
While Kamala says that Zoe’s costume isn’t accurate, it is a nod to one of Carol Danvers’ earlier outfits in the comics. It’s similar to one she wears in the ‘70s, complete with a sash around her waist. It’s also very similar to the costume Moondragon wears in the comics when she takes on the Captain Marvel mantle.
What’s more is that Kamala’s abilities activating and leaving her having to save Zoe are a nod to the first use of her powers in the comics.The first time Kamala uses her powers, she also saves Zoe’s life.
Trust A Bro
Fans watching the credits of the first episode will also spot some nods to other properties. There’s a moving truck that drives through a neighborhood as the credits begin to role.
The truck has the “Trust A Bro” logo, the same name on the trucks employed by the Tracksuit Mafia in the Disney PlusHawkeyeseries.
Credit Graffiti
Throughout the ending credits, comic book fans will notice some familiar artwork. Most of the art that appears as graffiti while the names roll is lifted right out ofMs. Marvelcomics, including the iconic cover for Ms. Marvel #1 from 2014.
The Department Of Damage Control
There is also a mid-credit scene, rare for the Disney Plus series, though common in the MCU. This time around, it features a couple of agents seeing footage on a cell phone from Avengers Con. Those agents work for the Department Of Damage Control as is evident by one of them being Agent P. Cleary, who appeared inSpider-Man: No Way Hometo interview Peter Parker.
Damage Control first appeared inSpider-Man: Homecomingin the MCU, but it was originally the concept for a television series developed for ABC. The group got a mention in an episode ofAgents of SHIELDlong before they appeared on the big screen.
