Since her Marvel Comics debut, Ms. Marvel – the newest member of the X-Men – has been a fan-favorite, and arguably one of the House of Ideas’ most popular characters of the last few decades. Having already made a name for herself as a hero in her own right, Kamala Khan is no stranger to team dynamics as a member of both the Champions and the Avengers. But her very first fight alongside her newly discovered compatriots in the X-Men makes the case that she’ll be one of the greatest mutant heroes of all time.

X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 by Gerry Duggan, Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, and many more is a monumental issue for more than a few reasons, but near the top of the list would be Ms. Marvel’s mutant debut and the danger that comes along with it. Having only just learned of her destiny as one of history’s greatest mutants from the time-displaced mutant chimera known as Rasputin IV, the young Champion immediately leaps into battle alongside the heroes of Krakoa when Orchis comes calling. Battling against Sentinels is essentially an X-Men rite of passage, and although the Krakoans certainly come out on the losing side in this cataclysmic conflict, it’s not for lack of trying on the part of Kamala Khan, who joins Rasputin IV in taking down an upgraded Stark Sentinel with relative ease.

Kamala Khan Will Be A Mutant Icon

Since her very inception, Kamala has juggled quite a few identities, with Rasputin herself referring to her hero Ms. Marvel as, “An Inhuman. A Muslim. A mutant. A human. A savior of all the tribes.” Save for her newly revealed mutantdom, each one of these identities has been a core part of her character arc and her journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Understandably, there are fans who fear that Kamala’s new mutant label will add yet another burden of identity upon the character, pushing out some of the more relatable identity struggles that have endeared the character to so many fans since her first appearance – but this also gives Marvel the opportunity to make her the greatest X-Man of all.

It's clear that Ms. Marvel’s undeniably historic actions at the Gala are just a prelude for an unforgettable X-Men career that will go down in history, especially if creators remember to balance her mutant heroism alongside the significant cultural aspects that fans know and love. The X-Men’s status as mutants has almost always acted as a metaphor for the real-world "other," and Kamala’s built-in experience within marginalized communities presents the opportunity for her to become one of the most iconic X-Men, not just for her powers, but for the humanity for which the Merry Mutants are so beloved. After all, while her Ms. Marvel identity has never quite had to fight for her own survival in the way that the X-Men are so accustomed, Kamala knows just what it’s like to be targeted for one reason or another in a way that many of her fans find incredibly relatable.

Ms. Marvel Could Be The Greatest X-Man Of All

Trashing Sentinels on her first night with the X-Men has already given Ms. Marvel an idea of just what it’s like to be one of Marvel’s most Uncanny heroes. Now, it’s just a matter of time before she proves herself as one of the team's greatest heroes, both in continuity and to the fans themselves. But based on her actions in this issue, and the potential she represents, it’s no wonder that Ms. Marvel’s new status as a mutant and an X-Men hero will be the stuff of legend.

X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

First on the list is What If…?. This animated MCU streaming series debuted back in late Summer 2021 and ended up being a bit of a mishmash. While fans were excited for What If…? Season 1 and remain excited for Season 2, it sits at the bottom of the list simply because it did not live up to the potential for a project such as this.

 Aside from a few entertaining enough jaunts across alternate realities with some beloved Marvel characters, this series did little more than provide some Saturday morning cartoon-style fun. Nearly every episode suffered from pacing problems as Marvel Studios tried jamming - at times - an entire movie's worth of plot into a short 20-minute episode. The potential for excellence was here, but most would agree it did little to meet it. 

7.) She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

The newest of the MCU Disney+ series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law showed fans what a Marvel Studios legal comedy (a la Allie McBeal) would look like. It was a divisive debut for Tatiana Maslany's Jennifer Walters, to say the least, with many not jiving with the idea of a procedural comedy taking place within this super-powered franchise.

Its deconstruction of the comic book genre quickly became a hot topic amongst the MCU faithful. But highlights like Daredevil popping up, an ultra-meta finale, and, of course, Madisynn, make She-Hulk a creative, light-hearted journey worth taking. However, it is one that likely won't stick with the audience long after they finish watching. 

6.) The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Coming up at number six is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. This streaming epic showcased Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) dealing with the loss of Captain America and crowning a predecessor to Cap. The series thrived when focusing on its main characters with Sam’s internal conflict being some of the more interesting aspects of the project, with some comparing it to MCU blockbusters like Captain America: Winter Soldier.

But with a lackluster villain plot, that was noticeably chopped together because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a whiffed Power Broker twist, that left fans with a bad taste in their mouths, it feels like TFATWS could have had higher highs than it ultimately did. Audiences have hope though as the best parts of this series have multiple big-screen projects coming in the near future.

5.) Ms. Marvel

Next up on the list is Ms. Marvel. This Disney+ delight introduced the world to first-time actor Iman Vellani as she took on the role of fan-favorite Kamala Kahn. Ms. Marvel was beloved by most fans, starting off with one of the best MCU Disney+ premieres and featuring some of the most emotionally touching moments in franchise history.

However, the reason it sits right below that top tier is that the style that made the first few episodes special was noticeably absent as the series went on. That along with a weak villain plotline made this fall a little flat for some. Luckily, this is only the start for the charming Miss Vellani. 

4.) Moon Knight

The Oscar Isaac-led Moon Knight sits firmly in the number four spot on this list. Moon Knight thrilled audiences in its first and third acts, but it was in the middle few episodes that it fell off just a bit.

The exciting introduction of Steven Grant and Marc Spector will be a moment hard to forget in MCU lore, drawing comparisons to the films of directors like Christopher Nolan or David Fincher. And the trippy conclusion, that saw the addition of a third personality in Jake Lockley, had fans eager to see more. But it was in those middle few installments that Moon Knight kind of got lost, feeling like it had a lack of direction at points. 

3.) Hawkeye

Occupying the third-place spot is the Holiday-themed Hawkeye. This festive epic adapted the popular Matt Fraction line of Hawkeye comics, doing so in an exciting fashion. The series was carried on the backs of its two leads Hailee Steinfeld and Jeremey Renner. The duo was magical on-screen, to say the least. Add in that another fan-favorite in Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova showed up, along with the reintroduction of Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin, and Hawkeye made for a great deal of fun week-to-week.

It gets the bronze medal simply because it lacked the universe-altering stakes, and just overall better execution, of the shows in the number one or two spots. But it was a splendid boots-on-the-ground Marvel story, 

2.) WandaVision

Coming in as the runner-up for the best MCU Disney+ series thus far is the one that started it all. WandaVision proved to many skeptical fans that the Marvel Studios formula could work in a streaming/TV format. Taking in WandaVision as it aired was an experience one will soon not forget. Whether it was all the Mephisto theories, the Ralph Bohner revelation, or Monica Rambeau’s aerospace engineer friend, there was plenty to dissect. 

WandaVision's production value and execution were top-notch. Aside from falling a little flat in its closing chapter, it is still some of the best MCU fun one can have. It was one part Marvel epic, one part ode to TV history, and all parts awesome.

1.) Loki

Sitting high atop the Marvel Disney+ throne is Season 1 of Loki. This Multiversal epic was the closest thing to a Marvel Studios big-screen blockbuster that fans have gotten in streaming series form. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki (or, at least, the one from 2012’s The Avengers) shined in the role, yet again, as he found himself between time and space, joined alongside by delightful additions to the MCU cast in Owen Wilson's Mobius, and Sophia Di Martino’s Loki Variant Sylvie.

For those that had wished there were more canon-shattering revelations in the MCU Disney+ shows, Loki delivered. Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie shattered the Sacred Timeline in the series finale, making what was/is to come in the Multiverse Saga possible. Plus, the series also offered fans their first look at the MCU’s next Avengers-level threat in Jonathan Major’s He Who Remains (aka Kang the Conqueror), whose terrifying brand of charisma was truly something special. 

Loki was a near-perfect mix of everything Marvel Studios excels at, delivering a gripping story, engaging characters, and dynamic connections to the extended universe. It is the standard by which other MCU streaming series can and should be measured. 

Marvel's Streaming Age Has Begun

Eight Marvel streaming projects down, and so many more to go. The MCU is in the streaming age now. Pandora’s Box has been opened, and there is no going back.

These series have proven to be not only supplemental looks at lesser-known or oft-forgotten characters but also have shown that they are vital parts of the overall MCU story being told.

Be on the lookout as this list grows and changes with every coming Disney+ title. Where will Secret Invasion, Ironheart, or Daredevil: Born Again sit on this list? Check back to find out!

Just a few months after its acclaimed debut, Ms. Marvel season 2 has reportedly been confirmed by Disney+. The recent Marvel Cinematic Universe series marked the franchise debut of Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, the superhero-obsessed Pakistani-American teenager who gains her own superhuman abilities thanks to an ancient bangle with ties to her family's past. Ms. Marvel followed Kamala as she worked to get a handle on her newfound cosmic powers to become a hero for Jersey City, while also contending with the Department of Damage Control and the Clandestines.

Despite being hit with review bombing early in its run, Ms. Marvel scored largely favorable reviews from critics for its lighter tone, kinetic style, cultural authenticity and the performances from its cast, namely Vellani in the titular role. The Disney+ series is only the start for the character, as Vellani is confirmed to be returning for The Marvels alongside Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris, with the Ms. Marvel season 1 finale offering a tease of how it will tie in as Larson and Vellani's characters mysteriously switched places. With some wondering what the future may hold for the character after the film, Ms. Marvel fans may be getting exciting news.

A new report from Hollywood scooper Daniel Richtman (via CBR) states that Ms. Marvel season 2 has been confirmed by Disney+. The reported renewal comes both a few months after the MCU show premiered on the streaming platform, as well as a week after the first footage for The Marvels, in which Iman Vellani's Ms. Marvel is returning, was shown as the D23 Expo. Screen Rant reached out to Disney for comment, who neither confirmed nor denied Ms. Marvel's reported season 2 renewal.

It should be noted that without Disney or Marvel's official confirmation on the subject, the Ms. Marvel season 2 report could ultimately be debunked by the studio. Head writer Sana Amanat previously indicated that the MCU show was written as a "limited series" for the character to "go off and do other things," seemingly casting doubt on the show coming back for another chapter. Additionally, cinematographer Jules O'Loughlin has stated neither he nor director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy have heard of plans for a Ms. Marvel season 2, though noted Marvel Studios is often in flux on future plans and laying the groundwork for what comes next for their actors and crew.

For those who fell in love with season 1 of the series, the reported Ms. Marvel season 2 renewal should come as exciting news. Vellani herself received consistent praise for her uncanny adaptation of Kamala for the screen, and with the young actor just as eager about her MCU future, hoping for everything from a Wolverine crossover to a Spider-Man style character arc, one can hope she gets the opportunity to further explore her evolution with a season 2. In the meantime, audiences can revisit Ms. Marvel season 1 streaming on Disney+ and look forward to Kamala's next adventure with The Marvels hitting theaters on July 28, 2023.

Throughout his time as the Fist of Khonshu, Moon Knight has had many different looks, some more garish than others. However, his newest fashion statement seems to have a literal gleam coming from his suit. As of the current Jed Mackay run, Moon Knight's costume usually alternates between his Mr. Knight three-piece suit and his classic white caped look but with an unnatural glow.

The new aspect of Moon Knight's outfit has been a welcome addition by colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and it has usually been chalked up as an interesting new way to make Moon Knight more mysterious. However, in his latest team-up, it is implied that the glow might have a deeper implication than just looknig really cool.

In their first mission together, Moon Knight and Kamala Khan work together to track down the robots that attacked her and the X-Men in Ms. Marvel & Wolverine #1. Later in the issue, they are joined by the new avatar of Khonshu, Hunter's Moon. As the robots ambush the trio, Hunter's Moon starts to call upon the lunar god to help them. It's then when Kamala noticed that Moon Knight has begun to glow. This implies that the Khonshu's presence causes his costume to admit a magical glow. This puts every time that Moon Knight ​​has glowed into a brand-new context, and the question becomes in what way is Khonshu connected to Marc Spector now.

The first possible theory is that Moon Knight is still in servitude to Khonshu, and the suit glowing is his presence within Marc coming out. It is confirmed that Marc and Khonshu are explictly linked again in Moon Knight #11 (2022). In that issue, Moon Knight begs Khonshu to make him a pathway to the Midnight Mission when his neighborhood and assistant Reese is in trouble. Khonshu agrees on the condition that there would be a price to pay later. Marc accepts of course, so the glow could be connected to that deal. However, there is a problem with this theory; Moon Knight has been glowing since the first issue.

The second option is that Khonshu has been using his omniscience to spy on Marc while he's been at the Midnight Mission. Khonshu has stated multiple times that him and Spector will always be connected. The definition of the word "avatar" is an incarnate piece of a deity as Khonshu. This means that when Khonshu resurrected Marc Spector at that dig site, they became forever linked. While Moon Knight did expel Khonshu from his mind, Khonshu could still be watching Moon Knight as he continues mission of justice.

The glowing of the suit may be an indicator that Khonshu is close by, and the small piece of Khonshu that still resides in Marc Spector's mind is reacting to that presence. Of course, this is all speculation: who knows what Moon Knight's future will hold. For now, comic fans will have to wait and see if the hue is foreshadowing. All they know is that Moon Knight's glow adds to the already slick look for the character.

MCU fans were eating well this past weekend during Comic-Con San Diego 2022. Marvel Studios announced almost all the projects that make up Phase 5, including the previously revealed Thunderbolts movie. The biggest surprises, however, were what they announced in 2025: two Avengers films within six months of each other.

The first was The Kang Dynasty, and the second was the highly anticipated (and often rumored) Secret Wars adaptation. These two projects are undoubtedly going to be massive, but who will make up the cast?

Someone like Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel is almost a certainty when it comes to playing some sort of role in the big Multiverse Saga culmination. But what will she have to bring to the table?

After all, her origin Disney+ series depicted her more on the street-level side of the MCU and not quite part of Kang’s Multiverse arena. So what will the newly-minted hero from New Jersey be able to bring to the fight against Kang in the next two Avengers films? Well, The Direct asked that very question to one of Ms. Marvel’s writers.

Ms. Marvel's Role to Play in Avengers

In an exclusive interview with The Direct’s Russ Milheim, Ms. Marvel writer Fatimah Asghar commented on how she thinks Kamala Khan could factor into the newly announced Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.

Addressing how a small-scale hero like Kamala could play into a project with as much scope as an Avengers film, Asghar noted that “there’s so much we have not seen” when it comes to Kamala Khan and what she’s capable of. 

Kamala Khan Takes on the Multiverse

It makes perfect sense for Kamala Khan to be the heart of those big ensemble movies. She is an insanely relatable character, and her energy is contagious—so there’s really no better role to be in.

But if she fills in Spidey’s heart of the narrative, what will good ol’ Peter Parker do? There’s no way Marvel will have Holland sit out those two massive Avengers films, so audiences will likely get plenty of interaction between two of the biggest hearts in the MCU.

As for Ms. Marvel being known on a street level, it’s sometimes hard to forget how that is likely going to change since she’ll be on a cosmic adventure with Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau in The Marvels next summer. Kamala could very easily rise in the ranks when it comes to their power levels.

Kang is a force of nature, however, so it will be extremely interesting to see how Ms. Marvel will end up factoring into that conflict. Hopefully, Vellani’s future MCU stories live up to all the potential that Kamala Khan can offer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ms. Marvel is available to stream on Disney+, while Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will hit theaters on May 2, 2025, and Avengers: Secret Wars will land on November 7, 2025.

Ms. Marvel on Disney+ was a first for Marvel Studios in a number of ways. In addition to featuring Marvel's first Pakistani superhero, Ms. Marvel was a coming-of-age series that focused on family and real-world history and heritage in conjunction with the fictional and cosmic. While the hit series set the stage for future stories to come, Ms. Marvel also connected to past MCU stories and, particularly, the Disney+ series Loki in more ways than one. 

In addition to both shows boasting high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and amongst fans and critics alike, Loki and Ms. Marvel's series runs were almost exactly a year apart. While Episode 1 of Loki premiered on June 9, 2021 and concluded on July 14, 2021, Ms. Marvel debuted on June 8, 2022 while its finale aired on July 13, 2022. 

But there's something else that these two series share, and that's writer and producer Bisha K. Ali. And, now that Ms. Marvel has come and gone, Ali has opened up about a Ms. Marvel Easter egg that she hid in a pivotal episode of Loki.  

Ms. Marvel Producer Discloses Loki Easter Egg

Before Bisha K. Ali was the head writer for Ms. Marvel, she served as one of the writers for Loki and the executive story editor for Episode 3, titled "Lamentis."

During this episode, Loki and Sylvie were trapped on the doomed moon Lamentis-1 and journeyed to the city of Shuroo in hopes of escaping on an evacuating ship called the Ark. 

After having met with Marvel Studios about working on Ms. Marvel, Ali revealed on Twitter that she hid a Pakistani Ms. Marvel Easter egg into her Loki episode as it "was the start of something new for me:"

"The Urdu I snuck into Loki is on Lamentis - the city of شروع . Shuroo means 'to start' or 'the start' - and it's the start of something new for L & S: a transformation. And writing that ep was the start of something new for me (I had already met for MM & was feeling hopeful.)" 

 Urdu is the official language of Pakistan. Not only is it the native language of Kamala Khan's family, but in the Ms. Marvel finale, Kamala's father revealed that the Urdu word "Kamal" means "wonder" or "marvel." Therefore, this is how Kamala Khan gets her superhero name, Ms. Marvel.

An Easter Egg of Glorious Purpose?

Easter eggs and connections are one of Marvel Studios' many signatures, but who knew that a year before Ms. Marvel graced the Disney+ interface that a reference to Kamala Khan and Pakistan was already part of the MCU? 

While fans love scenes like Ms. Marvel's AvengerCon which is bursting with references and connections to the wider MCU, Bisha K. Ali's hidden gem in Loki is powerful because it's personal. 

It shows that there was an actual parallel between both Ali and Loki and Sylvie's journeys, and she was able to use something that was personal and to her - and to the future Ms. Marvel's - to encapsulate that. 

It's no secret that the MCU is a connected universe, but thanks to this reveal, fans now know that those connections aren't limited to its on-screen characters and events but to its creators as well. 

All episodes of Ms. Marvel are available to stream on Disney+.

Ms. Marvel, the most recent Marvel Studios Disney+ show, has also been one of the most well-received projects of Phase 4. Led by Iman Vellani, the series introduced Kamala Khan, an Avengers and Captain Marvel superstar, to audiences worldwide. Even more than that, in its final episode, fans got some huge surprises.

In the closing minutes of the show, it was revealed that Kamala was actually the first mutant ever to be introduced in the MCU. Vellani explained how she could barely hold her excitement while filming the scene and that the entire situation is “the biggest deal in the world.”

Things got even crazier when the post-credits teaser showed Ms. Marvel suddenly, and presumably accidentally, swapped places with no one other than Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers herself.

Marvel Studios now released a brand-new promo that lets viewers live the epic moment all over again.

Brie Larson’s Cameo in the Spotlight

Marvel Studios unveiled a new fifteen-second promo for Ms. Marvel’s finale that showcases Brie Larson’s big post-credits scene, which will lead right into next year’s film, The Marvels.

The promo can be seen below:

Experience the epic Marvel moment you’ve been waiting for ⚡️

All episodes of #MsMarvel, an Original series from Marvel Studios, are now streaming on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/9cHFW8SlLu

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 15, 2022

Marvel Studios has delivered some darker stories and plot points as Phase 4 continues through new entries like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Moon Knight. Now, the adventure turns to a more light-hearted adventure in Iman Vellani's Ms. Marvel, which just aired the first of its six episodes on Disney+.

Vellani's solo series is already earning high praise from some of the MCU's top names, continuing the trend after the excitement for Ms. Marvel's arrival first started following the show's trailer debuting online. Filled with nods and references to Marvel Studios' storied history, Episode 1 only scratched the surface of what Kamala Khan's origin story will add to the franchise's growing narrative.

Although Ms. Marvel is starting off mostly light-hearted with the 16-year-old starring character, her first MCU outing is sure to get serious and real in the not-too-distant future.

At a recent gathering that featured some of the top names making the series, they teased when things may start to take a darker turn for Kamala as she learns about her newfound abilities.

Ms. Marvel About To Take a Turn

During the global press conference for Marvel Studios' Ms. Marvel, the show's creative team looked ahead to the themes and teases coming in the next five episodes.

Director Adil El Arbi admitted that there will be a couple of darker episodes in the near future where the stakes rise to new levels. Even more so, however, Kamala Khan will dive further into her journey alongside her family and discover her identity at the same time

Things About to Get Real for Ms. Marvel

Although only one episode is available to the public right now, Ms. Marvel has separated itself from the MCU's Disney+ pack by bringing a sense of childlike wonder and joy into Phase 4 behind Kamala Khan. Her obsession with Earth's Mightiest Heroes and her knack for fan-fiction and other storytelling puts viewers in the shoes of a teenager living in this universe, and it's largely been a fun time thus far.

Even so, as shown by the first episode's post-credits scene, Kamala's world is about to turn upside down in quite a short amount of time.

The Department of Damage Control learning about her existence is something that fans will pay close attention to, especially since it's the same agent that gave Peter Parker such a hard time in Spider-Man: No Way Home. While it's unknown when Kamala's family will learn about her newfound powers, that's sure to add another layer of drama and intensity to the youngster's origin story as well.

No matter how all the details work out, this Avengers fangirl is about to learn quickly what it really means to be a powered person in a world full of other powered people.

Episode 1 of Ms. Marvel is now available to stream on Disney+. Episode 2 will debut on Disney+ on Wednesday, June 15.