I just don’t understand this complaint. I don’t think it’s a racist complaint, because if Kamala were a blonde white girl the substance of it would be the same. But that substance doesn’t make sense.
Introducing a new Ms. Marvel means that Carol will probably remain Captain Marvel for the foreseeable future. But that name doesn’t automatically reflect any particular style or approach to Carol. If, say, Brian Reed became the new Captain Marvel writer, he could portray Carol exactly the way he did in his Ms. Marvel series, costume and all, without needing to change the title. The beef here is with DeConnick’s writing, not with what Carol is calling herself, or who’s got her previous codename.
And, y’know, it’s fine to not like Kelly Sue DeConnick’s take on Carol. Not every comic can be for everybody. But I find it bizarre to complain that DeConnick is doing “lame female empowerment stuff” with a character Marvel made into a superhero specifically to acknowledge second-wave feminism. It’s like reading X-Men and complaining about the emphasis on opposing prejudice—it’s not a bug, it’s a feature.
Personally I find DeConnick’s take on Carol to be consistent with those of Brian Reed, Kurt Busiek, Chris Claremont, etc. If the stories seem excessively feminist now, I can only attribute that to finally getting a female writer’s take on Carol’s feminism. I don’t see how that can be a bad thing.
panels-of-interest: Ms. Marvel was one of my favorite characters. Someone I related to, loved and aspired to be. I really really dislike Kelly Sue Deconnick's lame "female empowerment" stuff which as much as demolished the character for me. Now, there's a new Ms. Marvel and I hate seeing Carol further ruined after making her into a weak stereotype by giving her identity and costume to someone else. And I bet I will be written off as nothing but a racist for resenting this. Just like you do with the Fury Jr critics.
brevoortformspring:
Tell me, what is it that you related to and loved about Carol Danvers that isn’t there anymore?