Yes, Ms. Marvel Has a Secret Identity But No One Understands Its True Purpose

Marvel has explained why it is important that Kamala Khan preserves her secret identity while operating as the hero Ms. Marvel – and its a reason that most fans might have missed initially. As Kamala explained in the latest issue of her mutant superteam series, NYX, she identifies as Ms. Marvel first, and her identity as a private citizen second.

In NYX #7 – written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, with art by Enid Balan – X-Man Synch arrives at NYX and Ms. Marvel gives him the grand tour. Ms. Marvel explains how NYX works, that they all chip in, and that David Alleyne can now use it to teach his mutant history curriculum that he can no longer teach in school since he was fired.

Synch points out that Ms. Marvel is the only one still wearing a mask and hiding who she is, but she stands up for herself, claiming Ms. Marvel is who she is.

Ms. Marvel’s Journey Toward Being A Top-Tier Marvel Mutant Hero Is All About Wrestling With Her Identity

NYX #7 – Written By Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing; Art By Enid Balan; Color By Raul Angulo; Lettering By Joe Sabino

Ms. Marvel was killed while helping Spider-Man protect Mary Jane Watson from a villain known as the Emissary who had marked Mary Jane as a sacrifice. Kamala Khan shape-shifted into MJ, but was caught off-guard and impaled by the Emissary, and her powers were unable to heal her. Unbeknownst to Kamala, she was not just an Inhuman, but also a mutant. The X-Men had previously figured out her heritage, but Cyclops hadn’t gotten around to telling her. Thanks to mutantkind’s development of the resurrection process, and Krakoan law at the time, Kamala was resurrected and welcomed into mutantkind.

By the time of NYX, Ms. Marvel is still getting used to being a mutant. Mutants are persecuted by humanity, as they fear that mutants will replace them as the next step in evolution, something that Kamala didn’t have to deal with in her past life as an Inhuman. A lot of mutants don’t get to hide who they are due to physical mutations, but as Synch points out, Kamala does, as she both looks human and has a secret identity. However, Kamala defends herself, claiming that Ms. Marvel is who she is, and that she’s not hiding behind any mask.

Ms. Marvel Isn’t Hiding – In Fact, She’s Marvel’s Bravest Mutant

Kamala’s Mask Isn’t About Fear, It’s About Identity

What Synch sees when he looks at Ms. Marvel is a coward who hides behind a mask. While other mutants put themselves at risk every day by exposing who they really are, Kamala is keeping herself safe by keeping her secret. Most fans probably think that masks are just for keeping secret identities too, but Ms. Marvel sees things differently. Kamala believes that she is her truest self when she is Ms. Marvel, so when she becomes her alter ego, she is showing off her true identity, not the other way around.

If anything, Ms. Marvel is actually parading around New York City, stopping crime and saving lives, all while exposing herself in bright colors. She is making herself a target more than any other mutant, and actually taking the heat off of mutantkind. When the public attacks Ms. Marvel for being a mutant, they are attacking Kamala’s true self; she’s not being protected by a mask. If anything, Ms. Marvel is the bravest mutant there is, and she’s not afraid to show off her mutant pride.

NYX #7 is available now from Marvel Comics.